Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

Loving Eternally

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The apostle Paul really knew how to handle conflict. 

Just look in the book of Philemon. This book is a very personal letter from Paul. It concerns Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon, his master in Colossae. Onesimus ended up in Rome, possibly hoping to become anonymous in that large city. But he just so happens (really? God’s sovereignty at work!) to run into Paul, and became a believer in Jesus as Messiah. 

Paul then writes Philemon to apprise him of the situation, and sends the letter to Colossae via Onesimus! It seems that Paul was sending Onesimus to his death. According to Roman law, Philemon could have Onesimus executed for running away.

Save for one thing.

Love.

I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love…Philemon 9a CSB 

Paul, as an apostle and also a leader in the church, could have commanded Philemon to take Onesimus back (Philemon 8). He could have easily pulled rank on Phil. But he didn’t. Paul let love rule the day. 

Why?

Philemon is a fellow brother in Christ. Now remember, this is the early church, so everyone is a new Christian. Paul sent Onisimus back as an example of what is right, an example for Philemon to follow. Paul was hopeful, based on Phil’s love and faith, that he would do the right thing. 

Paul knew that the church in Colossae had been refreshed through Philemon (v7). He knew that Philemon had experienced the love and forgiveness of Christ in his own life. And Paul knew this: the more you know and experience Christ, the more you want to share what you have received. 

Philemon had received forgiveness, freedom and love. Out of that overflow, Paul was confident that he would extend the same to Onisimus.

Paul also remind Philemo that Onesimus is useful to them both (v9). Again, this is the early church. Paul and the church leaders needed fellow workers. 

“…the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37

Paul didn’t appeal to Philemon as a superior (an apostle of Jesus), nor did he appeal to him on the basis of slave versus free. Paul appealed to him in light of eternity. He knew more workers were needed to spread the gospel, the good news. Paul knew more souls needed saving. And isn’t that the kind of love we should all have?

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Grace and peace to you,

 

 

Do you know Jesus?

What If We Said No?

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You’ve heard of Ananias, haven’t you?  Your first thought is probably Ananias of “Ananias and Sapphira” fame.  You remember: Ananias and his wife Sapphire lied and stole from God. Oh my! Their story is not easily forgotten. 

But there is a different Ananias in scripture. Better, if you will. We can find his story in Acts 9.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” Acts 9:10 NASB

Ananias was a good man, a disciple of the Lord Jesus. He had a willing heart.  Even before Ananias knew what Jesus was going to ask him, he made himself available. (Confession time: I like to know what I’m saying “Yes” to BEFORE I actually say yes! Amen?) We can discern that Ananais was a good and righteous man because of his willingness to serve.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus asks him to minister to Saul. You know Saul. He was the one murdering all the followers of The Way. He was the one trying to kill all the Christians. All all the men like Ananias, in fact. Jesus needed someone with a willing heart.

It seems Ananias tried to get out of this horrible assignment by reminding Jesus how bad Saul was (as if Jesus didn’t know already!). 

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” Acts 9:13-14 CSB

But Jesus had plans for Saul. Saul was to take the message of the gospel to the Gentiles. Jesus called Saul His “chosen instrument.” 

Oh, y’all! Aren’t we all chosen instruments of Jesus Christ? Doesn’t God have a plan and a purpose for each of us? Yes! And Yes! Jesus loves us unconditionally, the same way He loved Saul, the same way He loved Ananias. 

If the Lord asks us to minister to someone and we can’t even fathom being near that person, what should we do? Well now, we need to find a way to love the unlovable – the way Jesus loves them. And we need to be willing to minister to them.

Did you know there is blessing in obedience? Look at the rest of the story: 

“And immediately there fell from his (Saul’s) eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;” Acts 9:18 NASB

Ananias laid hands on Saul, so that Saul’s sight was restored. Then, he had the honor to baptize the Apostle Paul. What a blessing!

What if Ananias had said “No” to Jesus? What are we missing when we say no?

Grace be with you,

 

 

 

Do you know Jesus?