Joel M Bradshaw

17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.–Philemon (emphasis)

Glance back up and notice what I underlined. Why did it stand out to me? Please read these next verses.

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. (Acts 15:36-40, emphasis)

1. Paul was telling slave owner Philemon to be reconciled with the runaway slave, Onesimus.
2. Somewhere along the way, Paul himself had been reconciled to Mark.
3. Even though Paul at one point was willing to part ways with his ministry colleague over Mark.
4. We don’t know how that reconciliation happened, but just that it did happen. Paul practiced what he preached.
5. If you have been a villain, humbly own what you can own and get biblical help.
6. If you have been a victim, you have the opportunity to show grace to the underserved.
7. Forgiveness can be a quick thing, but trusting again may take time. The reconciliation process should be appropriate to the situation and motivated by the Gospel.–JMB