3-3-09

PHILEMON 1:6-7 (AMPLIFIED BIBLE)

4I give thanks to my God for you always when I mention you in my prayers,
5Because I continue to hear of your love and of your loyal faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and [which you show] toward all the saints (God's consecrated people).
6[And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].
7For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and refreshed through you, [my] brother.

This is really a good Scripture. Paul remembered his friends in his prayers. He was joyful and he gave compliments to Philemon for his steadfast faith in God and how he loved his brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul recognized the good in Philemon and asked him for grace with the return of Onesimus. He was Philemon's former slave. Paul didn't want Philemon to be tempted to be in the flesh because Onesimus was his former slave and was now coming back as a brother. He tells him how much he hears that Philemon loves his fellow believers and how LOYAL he is to Jesus AND how he shows his loyalty to the saints. Hmmmm...now that is something to think about. Loyalty to Jesus AND to the saints - how much do we really see that in the church today? Unfortunately I don't think we see that enough. I don't know about you but I want to be able to say I am loyal to Jesus and to my brothers and sisters in Christ. That's part of unity also. The definition of loyalty is unswerving in allegiance. I like that!

Paul was a prisoner in Rome at this time yet he still was able to think about others. He knew that Philemon might be a little bit upset with the return of his former slave but he asked him to have grace. Paul is thinking he might be released soon so he asked him to arrange for some lodging. He also talked to him regarding fellowship. He knew that Philemon fellowshipped with the saints. Another important message we could learn from this. Fellowshipping with one another - the old and the young. He would fellowship with all of the saints - not just some. He also had fellowship with non-believers so he could share the Gospel with them. Sometimes we just need to talk to God and listen to what He is trying to show us - unity, fellowship, love, loyalty, humility. That says a lot right there! I say humility because Paul is showing humility by trying to get Philemon and Onesimus to come together. He wasn't thinking of himself in prison but as Paul usually did, thought of others first. He didn't think that he was so "important" and wanted to reconcile Philemon and Onesimus. This letter was to motivate Philemon to do the right thing.

What will it take to motivate us to do the right thing? When we will know the true meaning of unity, fellowship, love, loyalty and humility? Do we think we are so important that we don't have the time to fellowship, love or be loyal to our leaders in ministry or even our brothers and sisters in Christ? Sometimes I wonder. I pray that you will read this, think about it and pray for revelations what true unity, fellowship, love, loyalty and humility really is and how we can walk in it. Can we also say that "the hearts of the saints have been cheered and refreshed" by us? I really am encouraging you to take the time to do this. I believe it is important.