Philemon 1:1-11

Philemon 1:1-11

None of us live as if we were on a desert island alone, influencing no one. Everything we do, at every level, touches and impacts those around us. No one is autonomous and truly independent. Rather, we live in a web of relationships and connections. Oftentimes the most powerful things we do, in terms of their impact on these relationships, are things we didn’t expect to be especially meaningful to others. This letter from Paul to Philemon is personal but not private. Philemon‘s life has influenced and impacted many disciples. What he does in response to this issue of his runaway slave will also have a profound impact. Not only on himself and on Onesimus, the runaway slave, but also on his wife and son, the church that meets in their home, on Paul, and on every church for years to come, and incidentally the church’s opposition to slavery. The impact of this one incident would have a ripple effect that will last for all eternity. We must approach every moment with the realization that it could be the turning point of history.

Verse six is a profound and powerful witness to us and a guide to which we need to listen. The word translated “fellowship” in the NASB or “sharing” and the NIV can also be translated as “communication”. Paul wants Philemon’s sharing of his faith to be effective. The word means “production,” “productive,” or “energetic.” It was used to describe a field that was plowed or cultivated and ready to make a good crop. So what happens, and how does Philemon become “effective” in communication of the faith? More personally, what happens when we become effective in communicating the faith? We learn all the good that is in us by sharing it! This can be a little confusing till we realize that the best things of our faith are not comprehended until we live them out in the experience of the faith. If we want to understand the magnificent beauty of God‘s redemption of us, we will do that best when we share that goodness with sinners. If we want to wrap our minds around the love that God has for our fellow man, we do that when we express that love to fallen people. If you want to appreciate the wonder of God’s forgiveness, you should forgive those who hurt you. While reading about the gospel is great, there are parts of it we can never comprehend by mere study. The experience of living the Gospel, of practicing grace, will inform us and our understanding of that grace. 

“Lord, grant me to live the Gospel of Grace. AMEN