We have come to the final verse in the book of Philemon, and we read Paul the apostle's last desire for him. Paul wrote:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen.
We have shared about the idea of “grace” in previous writings, and as a reminder we can remember that “grace” is “unmerited favor”. Grace cannot be earned. It cannot be worked for, bought or redeemed. No, rather it is the unearned, undeserved, and unmitigated favor of someone else. Unlike judgment which is getting what a person deserves, unlike mercy which is not getting what a person deserves, grace is not only not getting what a person deserves but also bonuses and gifts are freely given as well. “Grace” is the word Paul employs for his final words to Philemon.
But not only grace, but “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” was the phrase Paul used. Rarely do we ever see an example of grace in our world. Every now and then we see demonstrations of mercy, but the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is grace like no other. As a reminder to Philemon who experienced the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul encourages Philemon to have the same grace toward Onesimus. He wrote, “be with your spirit.” In other words, let the same grace that was extended to Philemon now be in him as he encounters Onesimus.
Isn't it amazing how when we sin or have failure in our lives we desire grace, but when someone else has failure or sins against us we desire judgment? Philemon experienced the grace of God, and now he has an opportunity to extend it. Philemon becomes a shining example for us as we engage others. We wonder, what did Philemon do when Onesimus returned? We really do not know, which leads us to a mystery as we put ourselves in the place of Onesimus and remember that this book is a wonderful type of the way Jesus intercedes for us before the Heavenly Father. In the book of First John in chapter two and verses one and two we have an example of this intercession.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
John the apostle says that we have an “advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” and there is no better defense attorney in the world. Thanks be to God that we have an advocate who wins our case, and mercy and grace flow freely from the throne of God for all who trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus Christ. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ will be with our spirit if we completely believe in Him, and this spirit of grace will flow toward others as we grow in our faith and trust in our relationship with Him.
Paul ends this great book with the word “amen” which means, “so be it” or “let it be”. Amen! Let this spirit of grace be within us as we remember throughout the book of Philemon this great example of the intercession of one person for another just as Jesus intercedes on our behalf every day before the Heavenly Father. Let it be, so be it and may we ever more say “Amen” as we live our lives before His eyes.
Next time we will begin a new book from the Old Testament named “Habakkuk”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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