Friday, December 11, 2015

For Whose Benefit?

Scripture: Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. Philemon 1:8-10

Observation: Paul is sending Onesimus - the former slave of Philemon - back to Philemon. He would like Philemon to forgive past issues and receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ, and while he says he could order Philemon to do so (it appears Paul is the one who lead Philemon to Christ), he instead wishes to appeal to Philemon "for love's sake". However ... who's love is he talking about?

Paul expresses his love for Onesimus, describing him as a son. He describes Onesimus' love for himself, discussing his assistance during his imprisonment. And Paul seems to make it clear that Paul and Philemon are close to each other. However, it appears this appeal is not for the sake of any of those relationships. Instead ... Paul is challenging Philemon to grown in Christ-like love by loving Onesimus - a man who legally wronged Philemon - and forgiving him for no other reason than because Paul has asked it an Philemon owes his salvation to Paul.

This isn't about loving and forgiving Onesimus who is likely happy where he is, and it isn't about Paul's convenience in prison who would like Onesimus to help him. It is about maturing Philemon's understanding of love.

Application: I never realized this metaphor about Jesus. God - his father - sent Jesus to earth ... and to be honest Jesus probably wasn't thrilled about leaving heaven. God's instruction to people was simple: Love my son. Those who do receive the benefit of eternal life.

Likewise, what Jesus has commanded us to do is love one another, just as he has loved us. Since we know we are forgiven through faith, we are to forgive and love others even when they wrong us.  And this is everything Paul is saying ... 'Philemon, you are loved by me, and I love Onesimus, so love and forgive Onesimus.' "For love's sake" is, therefore, for the sake of Philemon learning to love by transferring his relationship with Paul to another person.

And this is what I am to do with everyone God has placed before me. There are 4-5 names right now that come into my head as people who I have been struggling with - people who are really creating struggles in my life - and my lesson today is to simply love them because God already loves me. This has nothing to do with them ... it is about my relationship with God.

If I love God, I must love whom he loves. Placing hard people in my life may be to teach me to be Christ-like.

Prayer: Thank you for your lessons today, Lord! I will practice love toward others through kindness and assistance. Amen.

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