How Love Works

Reading:  Philemon 1-7
    
    This deeply personal letter from Paul to Philemon does not tell us a lot about the particular situation that prompts it.  Paul and Philemon know each other, yet now Philemon’s slave Onesimus has come to Paul (perhaps as a runaway?) and obeyed the gospel (Philemon 10).  Paul writes this letter as he sends Onesimus back to Philemon, hopeful that he will receive him as a brother (Philemon 16, 17).

    We gather a sense of Philemon from this first section.  He is “our beloved fellow worker”(Philemon 1) who hosts “the church in your house”(v. 2).  This probably implies that he is a wealthy man who uses his means for spiritual purposes.  Paul prays for him specifically “because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints”(Philemon 5).   Philemon has shown kindness to others and this thrills Paul.  “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you”(Philemon 7).  The good Philemon has done for other believers has spread joy to them and even given comfort to Paul in his chains (Philemon 9-10).  But there is one more prayer:  “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ”(Philemon 6).  As Philemon has shared his goods with others who share his faith, so Paul has hope that one more time he will be willing to “share” the acceptance and love of a brother with Onesimus.

    Philemon shows us that Christian love shows itself in doing for others.  When he has a house, he uses it to the good of his Christian brothers.  We do not know the specifics of what he has done, but Philemon’s love has refreshed the hearts of the saints and been spread abroad.  Philemon’s love is more than mere words.  Love works by taking whatever we have and using it to bless, provide for, and encourage our brothers.  

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One Thing to Think About: What skills, possessions, opportunities, or connections do I have that might bless others?

One Thing to Pray For:  My love for others to “become effective” in real action
 

Please Read Each Other’s Mail

Reading:  Colossians 4:10-18
    
    Paul concludes this letter, written from Roman custody of some sort (Col 4:3), with a surprising number of greetings from brothers.  Tychicus will inform the church of the specifics of Paul’s condition in far more detail than a letter (Col 4:7).  “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts”(Col 4:8).  Also accompanying the delivery of the letter is Onesimus (Col 4:9), likely the same slave who is the subject of the letter to Philemon.  There are many connections between Colossians and Philemon and it may be that Onesimus helped deliver both letters.

    Aristarchus appears to be another Christian who has run afoul of the authorities (Col 4:10).  John Mark, whom Paul refused to take on his second journey (Acts 15:38), is now present with Paul and spoken of favorably.  Their relationship has mended.  Epaphras, probably the man who helped begin the church in Colosse (Col 1:7), is with Paul and continues to “(struggle) on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God”(Col 4:12).  NT students will recognize some other names here—Luke, Demas, and Archippus—who show themselves to be companions of Paul and concerned about the Colossians.  “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea”(Col 4:16).  Paul encourages circulation of these letters so that both groups can benefit from the specific instructions given to each group.  

    Paul encourages the churches to read each other’s mail.  This is not so that they can gossip about one another or judge each other, nor is it because the specific problems present in one church are present in all.  The assumption is that everyone can read the particular apostolic teaching to one group—for example, the Colossians’ need to cling to Jesus and not be deceived through philosophy or asceticism—and apply the principle to their own context.  This is still our task.  There is benefit in reading others’ mail, provided that we are humble enough to see our own weaknesses and courageous enough to apply the teaching to ourselves.

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One Thing to Think About: What skills might I need before I can benefit from reading others’ mail?

One Thing to Pray For:  The humility to perceive how Bible teaching applies to me
 

Walk in Wisdom Toward Outsiders

Reading:  Colossians 4:2-9
    
    As Paul winds down the letter, he encourages the Colossians to keep praying.  “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving”(Col 4:2).  His words imply a habit of prayer that needs to continue even though the circumstances of life vary widely.  “Being watchful in it” takes prayer a step farther, suggesting that we are in regular conversation with God about future changes we anticipate, threats we foresee, and temptations we expect.  Just as Jesus has told his disciples to “watch and pray”(Matt 26:41), so Paul reinforces.  This leads him to a personal prayer request:  “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak”(Col 4:3-4).  Paul asks for prayers for new opportunities to preach and for his own clarity of speaking.  This last request reminds us that Paul is also human and (especially in times of persecution) is tempted to soften the truth.  

    Open doors and gospel preaching seems to lead Paul to think about the Colossians and their relationships.  “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person”(Col 4:5-6).  “Outsiders” are watching us, looking for clues about what it means to follow Jesus.  We must live wisely in front of them.  This includes “making the best use of the time,” seizing the unique opportunities that we encounter.  It also includes speaking in gracious ways, particularly when we are answering their questions and curiosities.  Hostile, hotheaded responses ruin good opportunities.  Coarse, profane talk gives Jesus a bad name.

    Others are watching us; this should affect the way that we act.  Am I sensitive to unbelievers in my entertainment choices, in my behavior at work, in my Bible classes (when visitors attend), in my hobbies and friendships?  Is my talk “gracious, seasoned with salt”?  Am I walking in wisdom toward outsiders? 

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One Thing to Think About: How do others think about Jesus when they hear me talk?

One Thing to Pray For:  Wisdom and opportunities to influence unbelievers 
 

Following Jesus at Home

Reading:  Colossians 3:18-4:1
    
    Our faith in Jesus also transforms our family relationships.  We not only begin to treat our families differently, but we do it because of Jesus.  “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them”(Col 3:18-19).  Jesus has shown us how to submit fully to the Father and to submit ourselves to the needs of others, so wives’ submission to husbands is “fitting in the Lord.”  Meanwhile, husbands follow Jesus’ example of self-emptying love (see Eph 5:25) with their wives, especially by refusing to treat them roughly or unkindly.  Following Jesus at home means that our marriages are not power struggles where one party makes demands or seeks to dominate, but mates serve one another.  “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged”(Col 3:20-21).  Obedient children please Jesus.  Gentle parenting pleases Jesus.  

    Paul also wants new life in Christ to affect servant-master relationships.  “Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters…Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven”(Col 3:22, 4:1).  On both sides of the arrangement, Christians are to treat the other party well.  But notice the focus on Jesus even here:  “not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord”(Col 3:22) and working “heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”(Col 3:23) and remembering that “you also have a Master in heaven”(Col 4:1).  Jesus’ presence, expectations, and loving example hover over our work relationships, reminding us that every arena of our lives is now under his lordship.

    Following Jesus is not strictly about what we do in church buildings.  We follow Jesus when we discuss things with our husbands and wives, when we raise our children, when we listen to our parents, when we go to work, and when we give instructions to others.  All of our interactions, no matter how small, must reflect the wholehearted commitment we have made to him.  Every arena of our lives is now under his lordship. 

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One Thing to Think About: How well do my family and work relationships reflect my devotion to Jesus? 

One Thing to Pray For:   A desire to “work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men”
 

The Heart of Jesus

Reading:  Colossians 3:12-17
    
    Paul has discussed what Christians need to “put to death”(Col 3:5), but what should we pursue?  “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive”(Col 3:12-13).  “Compassionate hearts” seek to understand and care for those around us rather than viewing them as rivals or enemies.  “Humility” means that we are not thinking only of ourselves and do not insist on our own way.  Patience, forbearance, and forgiveness challenge us to mend relationships even when they are not ideal.  All of this is based on the character of Jesus and his willingness to forgive us.  “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony”(Col 3:14).  All this kindness is not done begrudgingly; Paul expects us to sincerely want the best for others.  It is this desire that is the true glue of relationships.

    But all of these changes radiate out from the heart of Jesus.  “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful”(Col 3:15).  Jesus embodied peace with God and with other people.  His conflicts were not a result of his own character flaws, but others’ disobedience.  We can be at peace like Jesus.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God”(Col 3:16).  As his words “dwell in you richly,” they transform us.  We teach others and praise God because our hearts are full of Jesus’ teachings and example.  We are full of gratitude, joy, and love.  We share the heart of Jesus with others.

    Jesus’ way of dealing with people is legendary.  He was simultaneously warm and challenging, strong and kind, God-focused and others-focused.  Yet God wants us not merely to worship Jesus; he wants us to share his heart and engage with others in the same way.  It will do us no good to sit for decades in church pews if we do not learn to mirror his compassion, humility, patience, peace, and love as his word finds its home in our hearts.  

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One Thing to Think About: Am I like Jesus? 

One Thing to Pray For:   The word of Christ to dwell in me richly