SATURDAY, October 22

Philemon 1-25. I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love

Sometimes we face a dilemma. We are pulled between two good things. We are not sure what to do or what path to take. We want things to be right and good for all concerned.

Paul was caught in such a dilemma. Yes, wrong is wrong. Doing something wrong in order to do something good—running away to help someone in need—is still wrong. Onesimus, the slave, could have asked permission from Philemon, his owner, to go to Rome to attend to Paul but he did not. He simply took off, escaped. Neither Paul nor anyone else in that time questioned slavery as such, and slaves were not to run away. Paul wanted Philemon to understand the dilemma he, Paul, found himself in. That is why he made his appeal based on love.

There are times when we find ourselves in similar situations. We have been Onesimus, doing something we knew was wrong in order to do something good. We have been Philemon, Onesimus’ owner, the one harmed or taken advantage of by a doer-of-good. And we have been Paul, trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Such dilemnas can only be resolved if those involved truly love one another.

PRAY for the Diocese of the Gulf (Pakistan)

Ps 30, 32 * 42, 43; Ezra 4:7, 11-24; Matthew 12:33-42

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...

Oct 22, 2011 at 8:53 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

It is hard to love everyone. Especially those who are not like me.

-1

...

Oct 22, 2011 at 9:40 am

Written by duty,

Paul stated that he was bold enough in Christ to command Philamon to release Onesimus from his servitude status to the status of a child of Paul in Christ. Paul knew that love is more powerful than command by duty. In Christ, we are changed from servants to children, from commands of law to relationships of love.

Love

Oct 22, 2011 at 9:46 am

Written by Mary kier,

I have trouble loving a family member because he just gives me anger in return. If I look closely at myself I think I may have resentment towards hum. We just never clicked. So I love him from afar with the love of Christ. I don't think God would want me to be in a verbally abusive rationship. So I pray for him and me.

Love

Oct 22, 2011 at 10:59 am

Written by Bonnie,

Love God. Love others.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:40).

Let all that you do be done in love. (I Corinthians 13:14).

..and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32).

pray to love

Oct 22, 2011 at 11:21 am

Written by nancy berndt,

I am grateful that God has shown me that through prayer I can come to
love those who, to me, have been unloveable.

...

Oct 22, 2011 at 11:34 am

Written by E. Linda Cushner,

Forgive, forgive, forgive. That is the answer to many of our problems and it is definitely one of the hardest things to do; forgive your neighbor, forgive your child, forgive your friends, forgive your parents, forgive your loved ones, forgive your coworkers and yes most especially forgive your enemies.
"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."
Do not take onto consideration greed or profit or wether you will lose face or be considered weak.
Let it go! Make a new relationship! Do everything on the basis of love and God will show you the way.

Forgiveness, Obedience, Love

Oct 22, 2011 at 11:40 am

Written by Rick,

Paul wants everyone to be right with God in this great letter. He wants Onesimus to no longer to be breaking the law as a runaway slave so he urges Philemon to free him and take him back as a Christian brother, he wants Philemon to forgive Onesimus for running away, and finally, as Philemon's "father" in the Lord, he wants him to be obedient to his wishes to welcome back Onesimus as a Brother and not as a slave. I am sure that Philemon might have had second thoughts about freeing Onesimus since according to the Roman law, he was his "property", but in the end, as an obedient Christian, he freed him because Paul had urged him to. Just as we are asked by Jesus to forgive and love our neighbor as ourself.

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