THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Lord, while the Apostle Paul sat chained deep within a prison dungeon, he gave us a beautiful story of redemption of your grace and forgiveness.

Onesimus, a slave who fled from his master, went to Paul, a friend of his master, Philemon.  He asked Paul to write a letter to his master asking for mercy, since Onesimus left without permission, and to please accept him back into his household. While Onesimus was with Paul in prison, he became a Christ follower and committed himself to figuratively become a “slave to Christ.”

In Paul’s letter, he and Onesimus acknowledged he had betrayed his master and deserved to be punished. Paul called on Philemon’s mercy and stated: “If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me” (Philemon 1:18).

Lord, this is your story concerning us. We have all sinned against you (Romans 3:23).  Because of your holiness, sin cannot be in your presence. Our sins call for punishment, which the Scriptures describe as eternal separation from you, Lord, in eternal torment (Romans 6:23). In plain English: Hell.

But hold on.  Then you, Jesus, stepped into the picture. You said to God the Father, “if (your name here) has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge it to my account. I will pay the penalty for them. Charge it to me.”

And so you did, Lord God. For all Christ followers, our sin account is paid in full. Like Onesimus, one day God the Father will wrap his arms around us and say, “Welcome home, child.”

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.