Philemon 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

Most people don’t realize that Paul operated on credit. That’s what’s going on in this letter we know as Philemon. In the letter, Paul says, “Onesimus did something wrong, put it on my account and receive him back.” That should sound familiar to us because when we came to God the Father for salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “_________ has wronged You, put it on My account and receive him back.” Jesus paid the penalty for your and my sins. But Paul exhorts his friend to receive Philemon back as if he had never wronged him … almost pleading by saying, “LET me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.” Our willingness to take risks of forgiving one another can bring a yield of joy to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jesus is the LORD and He and the Father are One. The Lord Jesus can say, “Father, receive this one as Myself,” as our Advocate. Because Jesus’ sacrifice is accepted by the Father, we are ‘in Christ’ … His advocacy on our behalf is certain and we are secure. Jesus does not say, “Let me have joy,” but instead the Bible says that Christ is able, “To present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).