When we are not around, what do people say about us? Do they speak well of us or not so well? Do they make jeering and cutting remarks, or do they say wonderful things of which we in no way truly merit? We know they talk, but we are often ignorant of what they say. As we have studied the words of Paul the apostle we have seen Paul's greeting to Philemon, his desire for Philemon, and his action of thankfulness and prayers toward Philemon, but the question still partially looms, why? Today Paul reveals a little more of his reason for making this appeal to Philemon in verse five where he wrote:
Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
Paul was thankful for Philemon and prayed for him always because he heard wonderful reports about Philemon. People told Paul about Philemon's ways and attitude, and they were centered around the most important measure of a person's life, “love and faith”. We generally tend to live our lives according to what we believe, and although we many not always believe the right thing, we live our lives according to it. Paul heard that Philemon was keeping the two most important rules of living as the center focus of his life.
Jesus was asked in the gospel of Matthew in chapter twenty-two and verses thirty-five through forty,
Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying, Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Paul heard that Philemon complied with these two commandments. Philemon had love and faith toward the Lord Jesus, and he had love and faith toward all saints. Simply put, he loved God, and he loved folks. It seems that it is much easier to pray for people when they are doing as God commanded. It is a joy to ask for God's blessing upon them, and his protection and love toward them when they are following what Jesus said. It was with confidence that Paul wrote to Philemon because of the testimony of others about him.
Reputation is huge in the minds of people. When someone is reliable, forthright, respected, well-informed, and wise, we count upon them. We are more inclined to trust them. When they conceal, are unreliable, evasive and ignorant, we rely upon them less and are inclined to shy away from them. Philemon had a reputation with others that echoed into Paul's ears, and because Philemon had faith and love toward Jesus and all saints, Paul knew that his upcoming request would be one that would be considered well. Of course, we will have to wait a few more verses to see what Paul's request was, but suffice it for now to know that Paul had confidence that Philemon would receive it and comply. We cannot help but wonder if we were in Philemon's spot, would we be as reliable and amenable? Perhaps that should be the target of our meditation on this verse today.
Next time we shall look even further into the reason Paul had confidence in Philemon, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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