Philemon Day 6 For The Love


Proverbs 17:17
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
1 John 3:16-18
1 John 4:7-21
Philippians 2:1-4
“For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, appeal to you for my son, Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains.” (Philemon 8-10)
Few words hold as much meaning as “therefore.” It’s our cue to pay attention to something previously communicated.
In this case, Paul, an apostle and preacher of Jesus, was encouraging Philemon in his ministry and praying for “effective faith.” (verses 4-7) Philemon, Paul’s “dear friend and coworker,” knew Christ personally, had surrendered to His work through the Holy Spirit for the glory of God, and had a deep, genuine love for others. (Philemon 4-7) As a result, he refreshed the hearts of believers.
Philemon’s richly authentic love was the very thing Paul hoped would move Philemon to hear his earnest request regarding Onesimus, Philemon’s former slave.
Paul knew that the more Philemon leaned in to knowing Jesus and being anchored in Christ’s love, the more effective his faith would become. Authentic love that mirrors Christ’s results in a life of humble, gentle kindness, which is exactly what Paul knew Philemon would need in order to love, and forgive, Onesimus.
A few months ago, I recruited a couple of friends for a day of sharing this type of Jesus-like kindness. Before long, however, my focus shifted from “gentle kindness” to “achieving a goal” as I diligently researched needs, collected donations, and organized schedules. From beach cleanup to taking blankets to the animal shelter, I was determined to do good in our community. After all, wasn’t that what I should do? All the while, Scripture gently beckoned, “And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)
On Kindness Day, we stopped at the local coffee shop. A young couple walked in the door, and I offered them a gift card for breakfast. At that moment, the Holy Spirit nudged me, and I truly saw them as beloved children of God. Suddenly, as I responded to the Spirit’s transforming work in my heart, the project ceased being a loveless “should” and began to be led by the Lord’s compassion.
The Spirit’s stirring that day was woven by Scripture’s truth, “Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Paul knew Philemon’s motivation mattered. Philemon must sincerely love Onesimus as Paul did, and more importantly, as God did. Otherwise, the relationship would’ve been strained and Onesimus would not have known true freedom. It was crucial that, just as Philemon cared for other believers, he also embraced his former slave with love rooted in Christ.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:7-9)
I never saw the coffee shop couple again, but I spent the rest of the day with my two friends, traveling around town and sharing God’s compassion from a place of genuine love instead of a list of goals to accomplish. We were united in a cause of love, joined together by the Holy Spirit. We encouraged one another with Christ’s joyful love, and the Spirit refreshed our hearts as our faith responded to Him. Instead of being weighed down by life, we were uplifted, enabling us to care for others. What I experienced that day reflected the truth Paul wrote in Philippians 2:1-2.
“If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”
When we are fueled by Christ’s love,
unity happens.
People with vast differences truly can come together in Christ. When we love as He loves, we find peace and equality. It’s this love that could enable Philemon, a wealthy man and church leader, to love his former slave like a brother.
At this time, Paul was suffering as a prisoner for preaching the gospel. Still, Paul demonstrated Christ-like love by caring for Onesimus, and prompting Philemon to do the same. Instead of focusing on his own freedom, Paul championed for another. He had come to love Onesimus like a son, which bound Paul and Philemon together as they lived out the love of Jesus in unity.
“Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
Love was the bottom line of Paul’s letter. It united Philemon, Paul, and Onesimus in the fellowship of Christ and it calls us to unity as well. When we are motivated by divine compassion, lives are transformed.
It’s a matter of the heart as we live for the Love of Christ.
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