How many times have people exceeded our expectations? Are their places of business, friendships, or acquaintances who when we engage them always seem to do more than we expected? What does it make us feel like when someone provides less than we expected? Perhaps those questions and more will be our meditation for today as we consider what Paul the apostle writes to Philemon in the twenty-first verse of this book. He wrote:
Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.
Paul has been pleading on behalf of Onesimus a runaway servant and thief who belonged to Philemon. We have studied as Paul has given reason after reason as to why Philemon should be so accommodating even though Philemon was actually wronged by Onesimus. Today Paul adds, “Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto you,” and thereby begins to presumptively imply that Philemon will make the right decision. Let's look at this phrase a little closer.
First, Paul has confidence in Philemon's obedience. Gaining the confidence of another is not always an easy task. Let's remember that Philemon is more than likely one of Paul's converts to Christianity. Paul possibly remembers Philemon before he was saved, before he had a relationship with the Lord, and before he could write such a statement to him. Confidence was gained by Philemon from Paul.
In addition to confidence, Paul wrote what he would have confidence in, “ your obedience.” “Obedience?” Did Paul write “Obedience?” Yes he did. Herein lies an insinuation of Paul's superiority and authority over Philemon. Now not only was Paul asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back, but he was also telling him to do so. The implication is that he would be disobedient should he not receive Onesimus back. This is the reason that Paul wrote to him in the first place.
Finally, Paul adds, “knowing that you will also do more than I say.” Now we are looking at Philemon exceeding Paul's expectations. Paul in the least felt that Philemon should forgive and restore Onesimus to his original position, however it appears that Paul desires that Philemon would return Onesimus to him. That would indeed be exceeding expectations. Maybe Paul would not only like that Onesimus be returned to him, but also that a gift for the ministry be added to the package. Whatever it was, Paul presented compelling words with emphasis to Philemon and acknowledged Philemon's reputation in the past.
But what about us? Do we exceed the expectations of others or simply comply with the minimum amount that should be done? Do we look for ways to do more for people than what is deemed the norm, or do we feel imposed upon should we ever have to do more than expected? Would someone say of us, “having confidence in your obedience...knowing that you will also do more than I say?” As long as we are cheering for Philemon to do so, perhaps we would do well to do more in our daily living as well.
Next time we shall look at some of the final words of Paul to Philemon, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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