What is it that gives us joy? Is it a vacation, some time with loved ones, a trip to the beach, or a refreshing gourmet meal? Is it an activity or relationship brings such great joy within that we can feel it at the “gut level”? Some describe this type of joy as being so deep that our stomachs actually ache from the experience. Whatever it is that gives us joy, the greater question is, does the joy in our lives come as a result of the effect that we have on others? In other words, does the way we live have such an effect upon others that they are actually refreshed by our living? This is the topic of today's verse in the book of Philemon. Paul wrote these words about Philemon in verse seven:
For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.
For the last several verses Paul has been addressing the model behavior that Philemon has exemplified in his life. Paul has expressed his thankfulness and prayer for Philemon who has shown his love for God and others, and the manner in which Philemon has lived has been a model for others to see. Today Paul shares the effect the testimony about Philemon has had on his own life. He wrote, “For we have great joy and consolation in your love,” which means that not only did Philemon's life have an effect upon others, but it affected Paul's life as well. Just hearing of the behavior and attitude of Philemon caused joy and consolation in Paul. In other words Paul was overjoyed and comforted by the word about Philemon.
There was a special reason that this great joy and solace came over Paul. He wrote, “because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.” Now upon first glance we may not understand this verse. Paul mentions “bowels”, and that doesn't seem very appealing does it? But if we come to understand that in Paul's day the “bowels” were considered to be the deepest seat of the emotions, we will enjoy the clarification. Today we might say “deep within my heart” or “so deep that my hearts hurts” to express what this means, however, if we have ever laughed so hard or grieved so deeply that we have felt it in our stomachs, we can relate to what Paul was saying. The idea is that the manner in which Philemon lived before others, in particular the saints, had such an effect upon those he was around that they were refreshed by his presence. The deepest parts of the people around Philemon were affected simply by the way he lived.
This conjures up a great challenge for us. Do people love to see us when we approach them, or do they avoid us and go the other way? Are people encouraged, uplifted, and filled with joy when we encounter them, or are they discouraged, down and out and filled with sadness? When others observe the way we handle life and it's circumstances, are they refreshed by the manner in which we live? In other words, does our life have such a deep impact upon others that when people speak about us, their lives are made the better for it? This is the way Philemon lived, and it was so well spoken of that Paul the apostle, probably the greatest evangelist who ever lived, made note of it. By the way, so did God the Father through the inspiration of Paul's words. May we all esteem to live in such a manner that others see that Jesus lives within us, and the witness from others is that our lives bring them joy and comfort that is so greatly needed today.
Next time we will begin to discover the main reason for Paul's letter to Philemon, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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