When Paul asked Philemon to forgive and be reconciled to his runaway slave, Onesimus, he made that appeal on the basis of how Christ forgives and receives us when we have been running from Him. “Receive him as you would receive me,” Paul writes. How could Philemon do that? How could he fully forgive Onesimus’s … Continue reading Reconciliation Costs Us Something
Paul’s letter to Philemon is considered one of the most powerful and eloquent examples of reconciliation in all of history. Paul writes to a friend whose slave has run away, and in his running has found Christ through Paul’s gospel message. You have to look at Paul’s approach to Philemon in asking him to not … Continue reading An Appeal for the Ages
In his greeting to Philemon, Paul writes a familiar refrain that never loses its importance: “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers.” Just a reminder that when a beloved brother or sister in Christ comes into our minds, we can silently thank God for them. You can certainly pray more, … Continue reading Are you a Refresher of Others?
I want to make sure that if I died today my wife would be provided for. There are lots of ways of doing that, and I am not an estate planner, but I will say that we need to follow Paul’s command in 1 Timothy to provide for our households as men. The word for … Continue reading Providing for Your Family’s Future
As Paul closes his letter to the church in Colosse, he mentions ten “fellows,” or, partners in the Gospel. Some he calls beloved or faithful or a servant. The first man he mentions, Tychicus, receives the full complement: “He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.” So, what do … Continue reading Are you a Tychicus or an Archippus?
Paul said to the church in Colosse, “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Paul was in … Continue reading The Power of Clear Communication
J. Mark Fox 