“If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account”
The little New Testament Epistle to Philemon ranks with Obadiah, Jude, II John, and III John as the shortest books in the Bible, each only having one chapter. Did you know it’s technically incorrect to use a chapter number (i.e. 1) in these single chapter books when noting the reference? For example, it’s not proper to cite Philemon 1:17-18. The correct format is Philemon 17-18.
Philemon is part of what can be called THE UNKNOWN BIBLE, those parts of the Holy Scriptures that are rarely, if ever, read, meditated upon, or preached. Notwithstanding, if you want a real blessing today, take time to read this single-chapter epistle. Substitute YOUR NAME in the place of Onesiumus; put JESUS CHRIST in the place of Paul; and insert GOD THE FATHER in the place of Philemon. What a beautiful illustration of the biblical doctrine of IMPUTATION. We wronged God the Father (cf. verse 18). Our debt was placed upon Jesus Christ’s account (cf. verse 18). When you come to the Father, He receives you as His own Son, Jesus Christ (cf. verse 17).
Like Moses, we should make haste, bow down our heads, and worship (Exodus 34:8). “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7).
