The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(Over the next few days, we will consider the the Apostle Paul's epistle to Philemon, one of my favorite portions of Scripture, and one of its most Christ-exalting and revealing revelations of truth.)
"Philemon"
Part 8 - Every Step
"Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say" (Philemon 1:20-21).
Where did the Apostle Paul's confidence lie regarding Philemon's faithful response to the request regarding the reception of Onesimus as a brother rather than a slave? Certainly, not in any faithfulness Philemon might work up by his own ways and means.
"We are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3).
Paul rather based his expectation on directing Philemon to "look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…"
"Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints, that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2; Philemon 1:5-6).
Be it the most seemingly minute step of faithful obedience, or martyrdom for the Lord Jesus, the will of God transcends the native inclinations and abilities of every believer by an infinite measure. "Without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). Our obedience is fruit. It is not and can never be root. Paul realized this about himself, and just as importantly, about his brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus. When praying for, or encouraging one another to do the will of God, we focus on "Christ, the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:24). Rather than act as Pharaoh demanding that God's people make brick without straw, we rather direct attention to an overflowing storage of grace in our Savior whereby His faithfulness guides, motivates, and empowers our own, as well as our fellow believers. "My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might" (Exodus 5:7; Ephesians 6:10).
Paul looked unto the Lord Jesus for Philemon, reminding him that Christ served as the author and finisher of his faith. This elicited much confidence that grace would be revealed in Philemon for Onesimus. God calls us to the same expectation, basing our confidence for obedience in ourselves and our brethren on the only hope we have for faithfulness to God. "Christ… is our hope" (I Timothy 1:1). We require His grace for every step of our walk with Him, no less than we required the same freely given provision for our new birth.
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:6-7).
Three brothers in Christ long ago walked the blessed path of a faithful Lord making possible faithfulness to the enabling presence of His love. One beckoned in confidence. Another, we trust, responded in faithfulness. Yet another was blessed and overwhelmed by reception as "a brother beloved" (Philemon 1:16). All doubtless fell before the One who makes possible and actual His character revealed in those He indwells. In this blessed light of grace, obedience to God ever shines as a joyful prospect of seeing the Lord Jesus yet again revealed as our hope regarding every step along the path of righteousness. Every step.
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."(Hebrews 13:20-21)
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
(I John 5:3-5)
Weekly Memory Verse
Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 5:20-21).
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