DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE SHARING OF OUR FAITH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE SHARING OF OUR FAITH

"I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." (Philemon 4-6)

This letter is a personal note from the Apostle Paul to Philemon – a "beloved friend and fellow laborer" (vs. 1). Philemon was one of Paul's converts who opened his house as a meeting place for Believers, perhaps at Colossae. Apparently, Philemon had a slave named Onesimus that had run away. Onesimus, ended up under Paul's ministry and had become a Christian. As a part of his Christian growth, Onesimus needed to be reconciled to his master, Philemon, and face the consequences of running away. So Paul sent Onesimus on this mission with this letter, urging Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

Paul's appeal is two-fold. One is the love and faith which Philemon had for the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints – including a run-away slave. The other appeal is payback for what Philemon owed Paul for bringing him to faith in Jesus.

Philemon had a choice of how he would handle the situation. He could double down on Onesimus and make his life difficult as a run-away slave, or he could demonstrate his love "for all the saints" – including Onesimus who was now a brother in Christ. Paul urged Philemon to make the witness of his faith and what he had received in Christ – God's love and forgiveness – effective by his good treatment of Onesimus in love and forgiveness. The Greek word for "effective" is energes, which is, of course, where we get the word energy. It is also translated "active" or "powerful." Faith that is not translated into action is weak and ineffective when it come to our personal witness for Christ. I can say I love Jesus but if it is not shown by my actions, it is not a very powerful testimony.

Scripture does not tell us how the story ends, but it is a great lesson for us on how to treat people who have wronged us and who come in repentance seeking reconciliation. We can hold the misdeed over their head or we can forgive. Now, which is the greater testimony to our faith in Christ? I'll let you answer. Our Christian witness is demonstrated by the way we love and forgive.

Love, Dad