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Faith

Three People you may Meet in Heaven

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“I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back-not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

 Philemon 1:20-25 NIV

This closes the brief letter of Paul to his dear friend Philemon. As was his usual custom, Paul closed his letter by sending greetings to and from various believers. These closings are always of significant interest as they give us a meaningful glimpse into the lives of some of the believers of the early church- brothers and sisters whom we shall soon meet face to face in heaven and fellowship with! Over this week and next, we will discuss six men.
1. Paul is the first believer seen. The point being stressed is his eternal optimism. He was in prison, yet he believed unreservedly that he could be freed by the prayers of his dear friends. What an impact prayer has. God answers prayer; this is His promise. The problem is that we do not take God at His word: we do not pray. The friends of Paul prayed, and Paul was apparently released from prison.
2.Epaphras: he was a servant of the Lord who in the past had been imprisoned with Paul. He prayed for one thing: that they might be perfect and complete in all the will of God; that is, that they might know the complete will of God and do His will perfectly.
3.John Mark: he was the young man who had redeemed himself. Mark had earlier deserted Paul and the ministry. But note what Paul says to the Colossian church. He tells the church that they are to receive John Mark if he was able to visit them. Apparently, some earlier instructions had been sent to the churches founded by Paul telling them about Mark’s desertion. But now the young man had repented and recommitted his life to Christ. He had redeemed himself; therefore, he was to be welcomed.
When a believer fails and sins, even if it is desertion of Christ, he is to be welcomed back with open arms once he has repented. We must not hold a person’s failure and sin against him. Christ has forgiven us for so much-all of us-therefore we must forgive and welcome our brothers and sisters back into our hearts and lives.

Next, we will look at three more people that are mentioned at the end of this letter.

Perhaps the Reason He was Separated from You…

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“That I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.  But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.  Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—  no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.  If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.  Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.”

 Philemon 1:10-21 NIV

It seems that Onesimus was a runaway slave and a thief. Somehow in the providence of God, Onesimus ran into Paul. Perhaps they were introduced after Onesimus became a believer. Either of them could have chosen not to engage, but instead, by God’s grace, they began a conversation. Notice, Paul could have been in the same place, but chosen not to talk to a runaway slave. How different this story would be! Or imagine if Onesiums had been ashamed to talk with Paul. God used their willingness to become friends as the backdrop of a book of the Bible!

Imagine Onesimus having just returned to Philemon and having handed this letter to Philemon—and Philemon standing there reading this letter. What were his thoughts? What was the impact upon Philemon, the slave owner who had been converted to Christ? What would he do now? There standing before him was a former slave who had broken the law by running away, broken one of the major laws upon which the Roman empire was built. (Rome kept the peace by enslaving and scattering the people of conquered nations all over the world, breaking their loyalty to their homeland. Death was the punishment for runaway slaves.)

Onesimus faced his past in order to right his wrongs. This is clear evidence that the heart of Onesimus had been truly converted to Christ. He wanted to return and right the wrong he had done.
⇒  A Christian believer is to make restitution, to right whatever wrong he has done, in so far as it is humanly possible. No Christian should ever try to escape from making restitution, from righting whatever wrong he has done. 

Onesimus had been changed by the hand of God. Paul tells Philemon that Onesimus had left for just a brief time so that he could return. God was overlooking and overruling the whole event for the sake of Onesimus’ salvation. Philemon was now able to be associated with Onesimus forever. The implication is that both shall live forever with Christ, worshipping and serving Christ throughout all eternity.

Questions for reflection:

Are you willing to make friendships with those who are different from you?
Is there someone you need to reconcile with?

Encouraging Good on the Basis of Love

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“Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—” Philemon 1:1-7 NIV

Paul wanted to make a special request of Philemon. How can any believer, even a minister, demand that another believer do anything, especially if the believer differs or does not wish to do what is requested?
There are two reasons:
⇒ It is the right thing to do.
⇒ It is a believer’s duty to do it.

A believer, no matter who he is, should do the right thing. Therefore, Paul had the right to make a special request of Philemon. But note: Paul did not demand that Philemon grant the request. Instead, he urged and pleaded with Philemon because he loved Philemon.

Paul based his appeal on three things:
⇒ upon love: the love of Christ and the love of believers for each other.
⇒ upon his age. He was apparently in his fifties and no doubt his body was somewhat more aged than the average person because of the wear and tear upon his body from the sufferings that had been inflicted upon him through the years.
⇒ upon the fact that he was a prisoner for the cause of Christ. He had suffered so much in order to carry the gospel to the lost of the world, to people who were hopeless and lost just as Philemon and his family had been.

Questions for reflection:
Have you, yourself, been receptive to correction? 
Is there a current situation that you should speak into and ask a fellow believer to do the right thing?
If there is, how could you frame your appeal in love?

Zeal for God’s Name

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If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
Psalm 139:19-22 NIV

David suddenly turned his attention from the Lords wonderful work in our lives to the wickedness in the world. He was keenly aware of evil people whose activities opposed Gods purposes. Indeed, wicked men had tried repeatedly to thwart God’s plan for his own life. David prayed passionately for God to judge the wicked, and he ordered these violent men to stay away from him.

David called on God to remove the wicked from the world so that His righteousness and love could flow freely. He prayed specifically against the bloodthirsty men who opposed God’s people and opposed the purpose and plans God had for them. They hated God’s people so viciously because they themselves hated God.

David declared his unwavering loyalty to God, stating plainly that he hated those who hated the Lord. Besides that, he grieved or was disgusted by their opposition to God. David’s hatred of the wicked was motivated by his zeal for the Lord. He despised the wicked so strongly because he loved the Lord so passionately. He viewed God’s enemies as his own enemies.

When Christ came, He gave us, His followers, a new command to follow with regard to our enemies: we are to love and pray for our enemies. Why? Because God desires for all people to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9). At the same time, we are commanded to stand against all evil and wickedness. While we are on a mission to win every lost person to Christ, we are also warned about friendship with the world. Ultimately, we should remember that our enemies are not flesh and blood but are instead powers and rulers of darkness. 

As followers of Christ, we need to constantly seek the balance that Jesus spoke about: to be in the world, but not of the world. That is, we are to be a part of the world so we can reach people for Christ and uphold righteousness, but we must not let the evil of the world pull us away from obedience to God.

This balance is also stated in the saying, “Hate the sin but love the sinner.” We are to stand strongly against everything that is opposed to God and His truth. But while doing so, we are to show the love of Christ to all who are a part of those things. We are to do everything possible to reach them with the life-saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

The Father of Lights

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Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:7-12 NIV

The Lord is with us at all times in order to guide and support us. David understood this as well as anyone, and he sensed God’s purpose in pursuing him wherever he went. Once again, David refers to God’s gracious hand. We are secure in God’s right hand, a symbol of His mighty power.

God’s constant presence also protects us in darkness and lights our way. The darkness does not cover or hide us so that God cannot see us. When night falls, the Lord can still see us, because darkness is not dark to Him. for He is light. In our darkness, He gives us light, brightening our way.

Darkness is a symbol of doom as well as a symbol of evil. In the darkest times of our lives—the most painful trials and the most difficult challenges—God is with us. The light of His glorious presence guides our way, brightens our heavy spirits, shows us there is nothing to fear and gives us hope.

The light of the Lord also drives away any evil forces that gather around us. When light appears, darkness disappears. Likewise, when we allow the light of God to penetrate our sinful souls, He drives out the darkness that is within us—the sinful power of our corrupt human nature.

Just as with the Lord’s omniscience, His omnipresence should motivate us to live holy and righteous lives. The realization that God is present when we sin should serve as a powerful incentive to do what is right instead. This is even more true for us today than it was for God’s people in Old Testament times, for God’s Spirit now actually lives within every genuine believer. The reality of the indwelling Spirit’s presence should sober us when we are wrestling with our sinful nature and tempted to do wrong. When we sin, we are dragging God’s Spirit along with us. It is not just that God is there witnessing what we do; He is within us. When we defile our bodies with sin, we also bring shame to the Holy Spirit who lives in our bodies.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18 NIV

The God Who Sees Us

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You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 139:1-6 NIV

Living with constant awareness of God’s omniscience is a key element to the Christian walk. The fact that the Lord knows everything about us—down to the smallest detail—should both comfort us and motivate us to live pure and righteous lives. It should also convict us greatly. Before we speak an untruth, dwell on an impure thought, or commit a sinful act, our awareness that God knows about it may deter us from sin.

Do not be deceived into thinking you can sin and get away with it. Even when no other human being is watching, God is. His all-seeing eye catches everything we do, and we are fully accountable to Him. Remember Achan (Joshua 7), who thought no one would know when he disobeyed God by taking a portion of Jericho’s spoil. No human eyes witnessed his treacherous deed, but the Lord saw him, and Achan paid for his sin with his life.

On the other hand, God’s omniscience should serve as a great source of comfort. Nothing that happens to us escapes God’s attention. He is fully aware of every trouble, trial, and threat we face. He is constantly watching over us, guarding and protecting us at all times. We can rest peacefully and walk fearlessly through life knowing that His loving, careful eye is always on us.