Older and Wiser – Philemon 8-11
Welcome to Scriptures for Life with TorahFamily.org. Taking time to focus on the Father’s way.
Philemon 8-11
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul – an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus – I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul – an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus – I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
I love these words of Paul. He’s much older now as the text implies and may I even say, a bit wiser in his years. Look at some of these words again. “Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.”
Could it be that Paul has learned that love truly is the best way to appeal to others? After all, it was Paul himself who told the Romans in 2:4 “…not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
Let this be a focus in your time of meditation throughout the day. Until next time, shalom!
