“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.” (Philemon 17-18)
A couple posts back, I made mention of Paul’s astonishing and radical appeal to love rather than authority when he wrote to Philemon on behalf of the slave now brother, Onesimus. Paul continues his appeal to Philemon, but now he adds another piece of logic. Let’s call it gospel substitution. He says to Philemon:
1. Welcome Onesimus just as you would welcome me.
2. And, charge me with the wrongs and debts you would charge Philemon.
Philemon would recognize the logic right away. It’s the logic beneath the same message that saved him. It’s not difficult to see the cross looming all over this exchange between these two “partners” in Christ. For the cross presents the exact same logic:
1. God treats us sinners as though we were Jesus. We get Jesus’ righteousness and spotless record.
2. God treats Jesus as though He were sinners. Jesus bears our guilt and debt of sin.
The “sweet exchange” some call it.
Now Paul thinks about the social dynamics of slavery and manumission in precisely the same terms. The enormous crime of slavery calls for the most ardent counter-attack. In the minds of fallen men that almost always means armed rebellion, retaliation, and so on. The mind of the Christian calls for something more radical still in difficult situations like this.
The appeal to love was radical. But how do we know what love is? As another apostle put it, we know what love is because Jesus laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16a). That is, He took our place, the sin-less for the sin-full. He laid down His life… and then He picked it up again. Here, Paul lays down his life for Onesimus. And he calls Philemon to do the same. And he calls Onesimus to do the same in sending him back. Everywhere there are Christians, there is laying down of life for others (1 John 3:16b). And everywhere there is laying down of life there is receiving life more fully. It’s the logic, the facts, the call, and the benefit of the gospel.
What could be more radical than in love laying down your very life in someone else’s place? Taking life is easy and often the cowardly, fearful response. Giving your life is humble, courageous, full of love and subversive.
Oh Father in heaven, grant that like our Savior, your Son, we might lay down our lives today so that others may have life and have it to the full. Amen.