Philemon 17-21
17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me.
“…if anybody complains about it, tell them to come to me.” This is a phrase that I throw around often. It’s part of being the top person in the chain of command. Everyone else can blame problems on the person above them in the chain but, when it lands on my desk, it belongs to me.
Part of being the living presence of Christ in the world is allowing ourselves to be identified with Him. This gives us the wonderful opportunity to love and serve people according to Jesus’ command. It also means that those who are angry with Jesus will also be angry with us, and those who blame Jesus for their problems will also blame us.
Jesus was hated, despised, and persecuted unto death during his time among us. How could those of us who have taken his name expect anything less? Jesus doesn’t call us to seek out suffering and persecution. The world takes care of that for us. But, when these things find us, we are called to live according to his command to love one another.
Prayer: Lord Jesus: It is always an honor to follow you. Thank you for walking a little bit closer and holding me a little bit tighter when that honor becomes heavier than usual. AMEN