Thursday, October 29

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Lamentations 1:1–2:19

Philemon 1

Psalm 101:1–8

Proverbs 26:20

 

 

In today’s reading, we approach the Letter to Philemon.  In it, Paul urges Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household after Onesimus had run away.  During his time away from Philemon’s household, Onesimus has become a Christ-follower and has become a faithful servant to Paul, even during his time in prison.  Paul recommends that, in light of Onesimus’s apparent willingness to return to Philemon’s household and his newfound commitment to Jesus Christ, Philemon should accept Onesimus back as a not just a household servant, but also as a brother in Christ.

 

The restoration prescribed in this letter represents one of the Gospel’s core principles:  that, having been reconciled vertically with our Father God through the shed blood of Christ, we may have reconciliation with others in our midst.  That is, having received ultimate forgiveness through Christ, it is a small matter to forgive other people, particularly our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

This concept calls to mind the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, where Jesus describes a man that, though he had received forgiveness for an unpayable debt (representative of our sin), he proved unwilling to forgive a small debt (representative of our unforgiveness towards others).  Our willingness or unwillingness to extend forgiveness to those who have taken advantage of or wounded us points to our embrace of the Truth of the Gospel.  Having received forgiveness for our unpayable debt of sin, we may extend forgiveness, knowing that God will ultimately reconcile all things, including the pains and wounds that we have endured in this life.

 

The pattern of Paul’s letter also deserves our attention.  He directly addresses the matters and hand and concentrates on the truth and today or the future.  Many of our disagreements show our tendency to dwell on past hurts; we wish to exact punishment or revenge for what we have experienced.  In contrast, the Christ-follower may forgive with hope, knowing that, in His sovereignty, God will work out the details.  Therefore, any unforgiveness of others really speaks to our incomplete understanding and welcoming of God’s sovereignty and ability to reconcile all things:

 

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf:  Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

 

Like Paul, we urge others to be reconciled to God through Christ and to bring this message of reconciliation to bear through all human relationships.

 

Today’s proverb provides a helpful recommendation:  do not allow gossip to fuel the flames of discord.  By taming our tongues and speaking directly in times of disagreement, we may avoid further controversies.  It makes life a lot simpler, even if it removes some of the twisted excitement that we find in the center of a gossip trail.

 

Kindness and gentleness support quick resolution to conflicts.  Paul gives an example of being positive yet direct in his communication with Philemon.  Other modes of communication leave room for misinterpretation and further hurt feelings.

 

In light of these examples, how may you bring reconciliation in your relationships?  How may God minister to your heart in order to make you like Paul, a peacemaker?

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for bearing the full penalty of our sin and providing the means for reconciliation between God and man.  We embrace Your forgiveness today and rejoice in it.  Give us wisdom and courage to extend forgiveness to others and to bring reconciliation through showing grace and mercy to those who have hurt us.  Help us to bring peace and to extend Your sweet aroma in the lives of the hurting and suffering.  We love You and praise You for this day.  In Your Name, we pray.  Amen.

 

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