Compulsion Vs Choice

 

Philemon 14

What an interesting concept we find in verse 14, “but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will.”  Many a parent has adopted this conception in child rearing only to understand later, that first must come consistent training, and training based on the precepts found in the Bible will produce children with values and standards of how to make good choices.  If you want to see a total disaster, raise a child letting them make the choices, with no guidance, that’s not someone you want to be within ten miles of. 

Now in the very brief information we have on Philemon, we see a man who loves Jesus Christ, who has a kingdom mindset.  Paul tells us that a church meets in his house, and that he has heard of his love for the Lord, and for all the saints.  He also shares that Philemon is being used by God to refresh the hearts of the saints.  In verse 19, Paul tells us that it is he who introduces Philemon to Jesus Christ. 

With that background on Philemon, the wisdom of God is very clear, Philemon has a desire to put others before self, but much more important is this fact; he has a heart to please God, to be about the things of God.  Paul knew this truth, that a person of good character will always far exceed your expectations when given a choice over a command.

I could not find any other mention of Philemon in the Bible, but I did find that Onesimus was referred to also in Colossians 4:9.  Paul wrote Colossians and Philemon while he was imprisoned in Rome.  It would also make sense that the very personal letter to Philemon was sent before he wrote to the church at Colossae.  We find in verses 7-9, Paul introduced Tychicus to the saints at Colossae, and along with him are Paul’s words, “and with he, Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.  They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.”

Onesimus returns home as a son of Paul in the faith, and a brother to his master Philemon.  At one time Philemon saw Onesimus as property; his value was 30 pieces of silver - about a month's salary.  If a runaway slave could be retrieved, he could be sold or he could be punished, by a lashing.  It is apparent from Colossians 4:9, that Philemon chose to receive him back as a brother.  Is that not your story and mine, we all sinned, we all ran away from the authority of God, but He redeemed us by the shedding of His only Son’s blood.  God has every right to demand to use compulsion, but instead He lets us choose to receive by faith, by our free will, all the blessings of son-ship. 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Authority Versus Love

Philemon 8-16

This could be titled; “Authority versus Love” for Paul is telling Philemon that in Christ he has the authority to command him to do what is required, yet for love’s sake he would prefer to appeal to Philemon.  What is taking place is of interest; it’s the story of Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon.  “It is implied that he robbed his master and fled to Rome v. 18, where he came under the influence of Paul and was converted (cf. v, 10).”  Taken from “The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible” page 1544”.

We could easily get lost in the story and fail to notice this issue of “Authority versus Love”.  If we stop and look at our culture, it becomes apparent that authority is under attack, whether it is in the schools, law enforcement, the home, or the church.  So the question that must be asked; do those God has put over you in the body of Christ, (the church) have authority, the right to instruct you in what you should do?  You may want to first ask the question, where does authority come from?  The Scriptures give this insight to that question in Matthew 28:18, Jesus has risen and has encountered Mary Magdalene and the other Mary and gives them this instruction, tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee, this is that meeting.  “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

The book of Ephesians also gives insight into the authority of Christ; “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.” (Ephesians 1:22)  So if you accept the Bible as your authority, then you must agree that authority has its being in Christ.  So whom has Christ delegated this authority to? To his disciples, see John 20:23, the church in Matthew 18:18, and the church has the authority to deal with immorality that defiles the church in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5.  The church has been given the authority to handle grievances against a member and it is clear that a brother or sister should not go to a civil court, but to the church leaders to settle disputes in 1 Corinthians 6:1-7.

When it comes to the authority of pastors, and they do have authority over the local body as seen in Hebrews 13:17, I believe that Barnes notes on the Bible handles this in a correct way; “Obey them that have the rule over you - Margin, guide; see notes on Hebrews 13:7. The reference here is to their religious teachers, and not to civil rulers. They were to show them proper respect, and to submit to their authority in the church, so far as it was administered in accordance with the precepts of the Saviour. The obligation to obedience does not, of course, extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of conscience. The doctrine is, that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church, and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are set over us in the Lord; compare notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.”

All authority is found in Jesus Christ and so it is a given, that authority is delegated from Christ to the government, to the leaders that have been put over you, and to His church.  Authority can compel, but love never does, love always gives the object of its love the choice, and that is what Paul has done with Philemon.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Faith acted out in Public and Home

 

Philemon 6

As a businessman, my job was to be a want creator, but my goal was to turn that want into a need.  Much of my life in sales was spent changing the mind of a person who was using a technology that worked, a proven technology that often was out of date.   My job was to make them desire a newer or better way to do the same job.  Becoming effective was essential, but how to do that became my focus; but I was taught that working hard and long hours was the answer.  But it was not long before it became apparent that learning to work smarter, being cognizant of my prospects time and my time, and understanding the customers needs, problems, and wants makes you more effective.  But then, efficiency comes when the salesperson assimilates their understanding of customer problems, wants, and needs into your presentation of how this new technology not only solves the problem, but makes money by not having down time.  It is the goal of every professional sales person to become effective.

Now the apostle Paul is telling Philemon that he is praying that when he shares his faith it will be effective.  For years, I could have been described as an undercover Christian; I read my Bible, went to church, prayed at meals, even in public, and loved my family, but being effective in sharing my faith in the workplace was not in my schedule.   If you identify with me, do not be fooled, you are sharing your faith, but it is a faith that has no appeal to anyone who is watching.

So what does a faith look like that is effective?  My dear friend Carroll Ray Jr. often said that effective faith acted out in public and home, is believing that Jesus tells the truth.  You learn that Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” will not work until you have discovered what Anabel Gillham discovered, not her strength, but letting God do it all for you.  I believe her amplified paraphrase of Philippians 4:13, is worth repeating: “I have discovered – very painfully – that I am not capable within myself to deal with the world and all that is in it.  When that shocking and humiliating discovery was made, I turned to God and said, “I cannot do this.  Please do it for me.”  I now have great confidence in Him – in all things, and His strength working through me.”  Grasping that truth and asking the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth so that your faith will grow is needed in the Church, but it is essential to believe John 14:26, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”  Your title in life will not make you love Jesus, but when Christ becomes your life, His life is manifest in everything you do, and the sharing of your faith will become effective.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A very Special Day

 

January 3, 2011

Yesterday was a very special day in my life, it began like all others, it was Sunday, it was Jan’s birthday, and we had plans for after church.  It was a cold day, 30 degrees when we got up and I put on wool brown dress slacks, a beige shirt and a sport coat that went very nice with the two.  As I was getting out of the car at church, I checked to see if I had a pen in my coat pocket and to my surprise found a piece of paper with a ladies picture and her name; Anabel Gillham 1928-2010, I must not have worn that sports jacket since attending her memorial service.

Why was the day special, because Jan and I have witnessed many a birthday, and each one, hers or mine, remind us of how blessed we are to have shared so many of these with each other.  It was also special because we had lunch at the Vineyard and Jan enjoyed the sea bass special; then we went to the Mall so she could open her birthday present, and that was whatever she wanted at Macy’s.  Our pastor’s message was also very good; it was a reminder that we can live without regrets. 

Before our pastor had begun his message, God had used the back of that paper in my coat pocket to speak to my heart, He had also reminded me that Jan and I met Anabel at a dark time in our marriage, and that her life had a profound effect on us living without regrets.  Anabel was a beautiful lady; she was also a very wise and transparent lady, who was a wife of noble character to Bill, and a light to all who were blessed to know her.  This is what was on that piece of paper, but I’m going to change the order of how it was placed on that paper, I believe you will understand.

Anabel’s amplified paraphrase of Philippians 4:13; “I have discovered – very painfully – that I am not capable within myself to deal with the world and all that is in it.  When that shocking and humiliating discovery was made, I turned to God and said, “I cannot do this.  Please do it for me.”  I now have great confidence in Him – in all things, and His strength working through me.”  At the bottom of this paraphrase was this note: “Oh, I am a very confident woman.  Thanks to You, Lord Jesus.”

If I had not changed the order, this would have been first:

The Basics in the life of

The Confident Woman

1. Essential: To know – unequivocally – that Jesus loves you.

2. Essential: To discover who you are now that you are in Christ Jesus.

3. Essential: To tap into the power of the indwelling Christ.

4. Essential: To have practical applications for appropriating these truths.

I began this by stating that yesterday was very special day and I listed many reasons, one was that God spoke to me from a piece of paper found in my sport coat, just words, but these words if taken into your heart can change you and I from a life of regrets to a life lived in fullness; a life of confidence, and like Anabel, each of us can say “Thanks to You, Lord Jesus.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A Private Letter

 

Philemon 3-7

A private letter written to Philemon that has become very public, and was probably written from the time Paul was in Rome.  In my Thompson Chain- Reference Bible it refers to Philemon in this way; “Philemon was apparently a member of the church at Colosse, which seems to have met in his house, v. 2.  As Paul had never been in Colosse (Col 2:1), Philemon must have met him elsewhere, possibly in Ephesus, which was not far away.”   If a person were going to have a private letter exposed to the whole world, this would be the type of letter you would have wanted others to read.

Paul is telling Philemon that he not only thinks about him, but that he is thankful for him and shares that with God our Father.  Paul tells Philemon that he has heard of his love and faith, faith that is being expressed to the Lord Jesus and to all the saints.  If your mind works like mine, you may ask how did Paul hear about Philemon, in that he is in prison in Rome, and he has never been to Colosse?  I believe this insight came from a run away slave named Onesimus, a slave Paul calls his child, and goes on to state that he became a father in the faith to Onesimus while in prison at Rome.

Philemon may also consider himself a child by faith in Christ Jesus and see Paul as his spiritual father.  We can only assume that they have met and it may have been at Ephesus during Paul’s visit there.  If you got just this part of a letter from anyone how would it affect you?  “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and 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.  For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother; because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”  If that letter came from just about anyone it would blow your doors off, but when it came from a giant in the faith, an apostle of Christ; you would surely share this with your best friend, and because Philemon’s best friend was Jesus Christ, He chose to share it with you and me. 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Why?

Philemon 1:1-3

Most of the people I’ve known have never been a prisoner, or in prison, and I do not recall any that by their on choosing have gone to prison or chosen to be a prisoner.  But as we look at this letter to Philemon, the apostle Paul introduces himself as a prisoner for Christ Jesus.  The greeting begins in this manner; “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,” and it is easy to read past words and phrases that we have no understanding of.  How can you and I understand being a prisoner for Christi?  Maybe a better question is, are we called to such a task?  Yes, this introduction is easy to read pass so we can get to the meat, and we miss a truth that the enemy wants to keep hidden from us.

What did Paul have an understanding of that has eluded so many in today’s Church?  In 2 Timothy 2:8-10, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal.  But the word of God is not bound!  Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”  Paul refused to forget his life before Christ he gave this recall of where God found him, in

1Timothy 1:13-15, “though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.  But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Unlike so many in the church of 2011, Paul knew what it cost to redeem his evil lost soul. He knew all about being religious, but now he had met the Lord, now he had received mercy, grace and faith, he had a clear understanding that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.   In 2 Timothy 1:8-9, Paul is sharing that he is not ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or being his prisoner.  Paul goes on to say Jesus saved us and called us to a holy calling, and we should also identify in the same way with our Lord?  Why do we who make up the body of Christ,  not have this passion, we see in Paul in Colossians 4:3?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

From prison to Greatness in one Day

Genesis 41:37-40

From prison to greatness in one day, how does a young man of thirty handle this kind of acclaim?  This is what happened to Joseph; they removed his prison clothes, they gave him a bath and a shave, and he finds himself in from of the most powerful man in his world.  This Pharaoh has the power to put you back in prison, take your life, or put you over all that he controls, and the only thing he is keeping from you is the throne.  This is what Pharaoh told him; “Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” 

It is a good day in Egypt because the king has an understanding of this truth, “And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God.” (Genesis 41:38)  It is clear to Pharaoh that Joseph has the Spirit of God all over him, by his speech and his actions. Joseph did not have weeks to put together his résumé, his only hope was to trust God to show up and dazzle the king, and folks, you and I should learn this important lesson from Joseph.

I ask, how can a young man handle this kind of acclaim, you know his hands were sweating as he came out of the darkness of that hole they called a prison, and entered into the greatness of the Pharaoh.  It seems only natural that he is more than a little blown away by how the Pharaoh believes the interpretation; he did not have time to get on his Mac and do graphs or charts, his only resource was God.

And now he has been placed over the whole works, he is the most important person in Egypt he is Time magazine’s Man of the Year.   He wins the Noble Peace Prize, and everyone who is anyone wants to know this young man.  How can anyone handle this success?  Joseph never believes the press; he knew who he was and he knew whom his God was, and he put his trust in his God and not in his ability.  Major Thomas may have learned this from observing Joseph’s life; “I can’t, you never said I could, You can and You promised You would.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice