Stirred By The Scriptures

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.