Philemon 21-25 says...
Today's verses are Philemon 21-25, which read,
v.21, 22 - Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
Paul is assuming a lot here. Paul is assuming that Philemon is going to hear this instruction from the man who shared the gospel with him and follow suit to obey. Paul is assuming that Philemon is going to hear this instruction that comes from the words of Scripture and submit to its command. Paul is assuming that Philemon will actually do more than what is asked here. Maybe Philemon will not only accept Onesimus back and give forgiveness to this once unconverted runaway slave but now a coming back beloved brother in Christ and then turn around and offer resources for him to go back to Paul in prison. Maybe Philemon will offer him an opportunity to speak to the church that meets in his home about his conversion event. Paul is also assuming that Philemon will be over this issue so much that he will be praying for Paul to come in person and prepare a room in his house for him. Paul is assuming that this instruction has not hindered his relationship with Philemon but actually strengthened it. Paul is assuming a lot.
We usually don't assume this much when we share something with another believer that involves correction according to Scripture. What we usually assume is that they are not going to do it. We assume that they are going to deny or rationalize their behavior. We may also assume that our relationship with each other will not have grown but actually has disintegrated some or totally blown up. Paul assumes none of this. Why do we assume so differently?
How do you respond to correction from the Scripture? Do you see the trusted friend and believer who is speaking to you the truth in love? Do you see the principle in the Word that needs to be followed? Do you see your opportunity to be at peace with God over this and also the opportunity it gives for witness to your broader community? Are you willing to obey when corrected or do you put up your "dukes" to fight?
v.23-25 - Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
And so ends the personal letter to Philemon that is to be read publicly to his wife, son and the church that meets in his home. Within the list of names is Mark. Mark abandoned or ran away from Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey. Mark took off and left them high and dry. When the second missionary journey came around, Barnabas wanted to take his cousin Mark along again but Paul said no. They were at such opposite ends of this argument that Paul took Silas and went one way and Barnabas took Mark and went another. Something has happened in the vane of restoration and forgiveness for now Mark is with Paul in prison and one who he values highly to say his name. Paul is giving Philemon a real life example in his own life of doing what he is asking Philemon to do for the runaway Onesimus who is coming home.
Paul ends with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ being with Philemon's spirit. The governing of Philemon's life would be the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ would be the guiding force of his life to dictate his thoughts, words, and actions. The physical man Jesus who came from heaven as a sacrifice for his sins because He was and is the Christ, the Messiah prophesied to come and Lord of Philemon's life offered grace to him. May He be the one that Philemon and us follow. Let's pray.
"Lord, thank you for this personal/public letter to Philemon. We will all be in this situation at times. We will be the one needing the correction because we have run away and need to go back and make things right; we will be the one needing the correction to offer forgiveness when we have been wronged; and we will be the one giving the instruction to a brother or sister in Christ to follow the Word given to us. May we learn from this little letter how to be when those times come. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.21, 22 - Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
Paul is assuming a lot here. Paul is assuming that Philemon is going to hear this instruction from the man who shared the gospel with him and follow suit to obey. Paul is assuming that Philemon is going to hear this instruction that comes from the words of Scripture and submit to its command. Paul is assuming that Philemon will actually do more than what is asked here. Maybe Philemon will not only accept Onesimus back and give forgiveness to this once unconverted runaway slave but now a coming back beloved brother in Christ and then turn around and offer resources for him to go back to Paul in prison. Maybe Philemon will offer him an opportunity to speak to the church that meets in his home about his conversion event. Paul is also assuming that Philemon will be over this issue so much that he will be praying for Paul to come in person and prepare a room in his house for him. Paul is assuming that this instruction has not hindered his relationship with Philemon but actually strengthened it. Paul is assuming a lot.
We usually don't assume this much when we share something with another believer that involves correction according to Scripture. What we usually assume is that they are not going to do it. We assume that they are going to deny or rationalize their behavior. We may also assume that our relationship with each other will not have grown but actually has disintegrated some or totally blown up. Paul assumes none of this. Why do we assume so differently?
How do you respond to correction from the Scripture? Do you see the trusted friend and believer who is speaking to you the truth in love? Do you see the principle in the Word that needs to be followed? Do you see your opportunity to be at peace with God over this and also the opportunity it gives for witness to your broader community? Are you willing to obey when corrected or do you put up your "dukes" to fight?
v.23-25 - Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
And so ends the personal letter to Philemon that is to be read publicly to his wife, son and the church that meets in his home. Within the list of names is Mark. Mark abandoned or ran away from Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey. Mark took off and left them high and dry. When the second missionary journey came around, Barnabas wanted to take his cousin Mark along again but Paul said no. They were at such opposite ends of this argument that Paul took Silas and went one way and Barnabas took Mark and went another. Something has happened in the vane of restoration and forgiveness for now Mark is with Paul in prison and one who he values highly to say his name. Paul is giving Philemon a real life example in his own life of doing what he is asking Philemon to do for the runaway Onesimus who is coming home.
Paul ends with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ being with Philemon's spirit. The governing of Philemon's life would be the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ would be the guiding force of his life to dictate his thoughts, words, and actions. The physical man Jesus who came from heaven as a sacrifice for his sins because He was and is the Christ, the Messiah prophesied to come and Lord of Philemon's life offered grace to him. May He be the one that Philemon and us follow. Let's pray.
"Lord, thank you for this personal/public letter to Philemon. We will all be in this situation at times. We will be the one needing the correction because we have run away and need to go back and make things right; we will be the one needing the correction to offer forgiveness when we have been wronged; and we will be the one giving the instruction to a brother or sister in Christ to follow the Word given to us. May we learn from this little letter how to be when those times come. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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