Stirred By The Scriptures

I am probably stating the obvious but God is a patient God. He really is amazing when you think about the fact that he puts up with people like you and me.  In the Fruit of the Spirit and elsewhere we are also told to have patience. I am not by nature a patient person.  One thing that helps me be patient with others, is when I think about how patient God is with me.

Growing up in a Christian home is a wonderful thing and has many pluses.  However it can become easy for kids to live off of their parent’s faith.  I am more and more convinced that somewhere in the process of becoming adults the majority of these kids encounter a struggle to make their faith their own.  For some it is seen in a dramatic outward way, while for others it is more hidden and quiet.  No matter what package it comes in they will go through wrestle with making it their faith.  As parents our role is to guide, to listen and to pray.
Most of all to pray.                                                         

Paul covers all the bases in these twenty-five verses. He anticipates Philemon’s and really all of our greatest objection - the lack of justice. You see Onesimus owed him money. Paul intercedes by telling Philemon to put it on his tab. Perhaps Philemon had reason to believe Onesimus would never settle up. Paul using the strength of his own relationship says “I am good for his debt.” What a powerful picture of Christ-like love. Oh, and in case you forgot Philemon there is the matter of what you owe me. Paul leaves him a lot to think about. It is a wonderful picture of answering the need for justice with mercy and grace.

Here are some more thoughts from Philemon.  Paul knew he could order Philemon to do the right thing.  “Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do…”, Paul says in verse 8 he offers a different motivation.  It is an appeal based on love.  It reminds me of his appeal in II Corinthians 5:14 that it is the love of Christ that should compel us to action.  You and I can respond in difficult relationships by loving the way Christ has loved us.  Easy - NO.  Possible - YES.  It is only possible through the transforming power of the love of Christ, the gospel, lived in the power of the Spirit.