Welcoming Back!

People who truly know God can never forsake the Good News or deny that His is the unconditional love. They will confess that there is no wrong but only goodness in Him. When God came as Jesus into the world, He fulfilled the laws of the Old Testament. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus states, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

When we look at the New Testament, the stern follower of Jesus Christ is Apostle Paul. He is writing a letter to Philemon, which played a crucial role in abolishing slavery in the United States. Paul teaches us the depth of forgiveness we must request from each other. Onesimus is a slave of Philemon, whom scholars say had stolen something from Philemon and escaped from him. But when he met Paul, he was drawn towards Christ. Now Paul urges Philemon to have a totally different view of Onesimus.

Paul was deeply respected by Philemon, as he showed him the path of salvation. Now Paul is requesting Philemon not just to forgive, but to accept and love Onesimus. He writes so beautifully in verse 17 like this: "So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account." Paul’s love is like the love of a father who welcomed back the prodigal son with open arms. When he says he will pay the amount, he shows the character of Jesus Himself.

Hey friend, we might be wronged by people, but when they reach us with a changed heart, can we welcome them like how we welcome the people we esteem most?

Dear Father, thank you for your love unto us. Thank you for your forgiveness. Help us to love each other, accept each other, and forgive each other when people who wronged us come back to us like Onesimus. Bless us, Lord, with the compassion of Paul. May we know that we bring more pleasure to heaven when we become a reason for someone entering heaven's gate. Forgive us, Father, for the times we have stiffened our hearts. And give us a heart that loves others like how You love them.

In Jesus' name we pray,

Amen.