GOSPEL NUGGET # 57

Phm 1:17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.

The writer, the apostle Paul, wrote to Philemon about Onesimus the runaway slave. Something marvelous happened to Onesimus; he was converted through the apostle Paul's preaching of the Gospel. Now, Onesimus wanted to amend the the wrong he made against Philemon. And Paul is appealing on his behalf for him to be received back.

What is this but a picture of Christ as Mediator between God and the sinner who has trusted in the Savior for salvation. Christ as it were appeals to the Father in behalf of the sinner and says:

"Father, if then You count me as a partner, receive him as You would Me. And the wrongs he owe You, put that on My account."

A sinner who trusts in Christ is accepted by God in all the acceptableness of Christ. Christ is his Representative before God, he is in Christ, as such, he is "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6 KJV). But Christ is also his Substitute, as such, his sins are imputed to Him. In Him, he already paid the penalty of all his sins.