October 31–Doing the Right Thing

Happy Thursday. 

I sure hope it is warmer tonight than it was last night. If not, there will be a lot of disappointed little guys who look so forward to Trick or Treats. 


Yesterday, a co-worker and I talked about the difference between doing the right thing and doing the thing you want to do. Sometimes, it’s a tough choice, even for good people. The Apostle Paul was faced with a situation where he could do the right thing, or he could do the easy thing. He was not in a great place. He had been thrown in jail, had suffered beating, had been persecuted, and had been ran of out multiple towns all for sharing the gospel. It would have been one less thing he would have had to deal with, but he chose the tough route—the right thing. 


In this book of Philemon, Paul decided to take the side of a slave. I’m sure he wondered first and prayed about what to do in the situation of a run away slave. As a Christian with no political power, should he obey the law or fight injustice? He chose to fight gently. 


““That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.”

‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1:8-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Paul decided to send Onesimus home back to his master who also happens to be Paul’s good friend. Paul had led Philemon to Jesus some years earlier.


Paul began his appeal by reminding Philemon who’s the boss, spiritually speaking, Paul had the authority here, but he choose not to wield it. He laid down that right and appealed to the love he and his friend shared. He valued and respected Philemon. 


In the end, this is about doing the right thing. But there’s a difference between being forced to do right and having the freedom to choose right. Paul wanted to extend that freedom to Philemon, just as he had to Onesimus. Just as God has done for each of us. He explains what is right, He gave us His Spirit to direct us but it is definitely our choice. He wants us to choose to accept people, to love them, and to go the extra mile....even when it’s not easy. 


Lord of Heaven, thank you for this day and for the lesson you show us in this little book. How amazingly rich your Word is for us. We could study our whole lives and never reach the end of learning what you have for us here. We praise you and worship you today and ask for your blessings on those we care for who are fighting battles of all kinds. Surround us as we head into the world and help us to show your love and grace to all whom we come into contact. Thank you Lord for your Salvation. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear friend,

Pam

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 17, 2020

Happy Friday. It’s the end of another week and we have had more opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us and sometimes that takes quite a bit of effort. I don’t know about you, but I’m not always anxious to embrace others and really listen to them or share with them (especially those who I don’t know well). Sometimes, I just look at them and think “Are you for real?” I don’t always agree with people over politics, sports or of course, religion. And let’s face it, we’d rather spend time with people we like and mostly agree.  And then I read my Bible. God hasn’t called us to sit in our little groups with only those we naturally gravitate towards, but to love people—all people, even those who aren’t necessarily loveable. In this passage, Paul writing to the people of Colosse remarks on how wonderful it is that they truly love others. That love must have really been something over and above the normal and he tells them that it is evident that it comes from the Holy Sp
Read more

January 15, 2020

Happy Wednesday to you. I hope your week is going well. Yesterday, I went to Sams. I was out of things like trash bags, toilet paper, and chicken, so off I went. I like going to Sams because there is always lots to look at and the isles are nice and wide. Everytime I’m there, I am amazed at how much stuff and everything from diapers to TVs to mangos to beds. It just seems incredible that so many things in such quantities are all under one roof.  King David never saw a store with as much stuff aa Sams of course, but he did see countless miracles and understand that God has plans. He knew from creation and history that he was serving a God of miracles and he know that God loved him and his people and would take care of them. He was amazed and awe-struck by the fact that a God who had done such great and mighty things not only cared about his people but that He loved them with such a great love.  “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can co
Read more

January 9, 2020

It’s Thursday and I woke up to the blowing wind! Lots of it—I’m dreading Boomer waking up and having to go outside with him. That harsh, bitter wind seems cruel and almost evil. But I’ll wrap myself up with a fe layers and boots and brave it all.  Sometimes I think we try to do that with things we know aren’t right—things that are evil. We try to wrap ourselves up and just wade into it, but Paul tells us we should reject it—stay away from it. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-24‬ NIV When he wrote this he’d been in Berea and the Christians there diligently searched the scriptures to make sure everything Paul said was in line. Paul here is encouraging the Thessalonians to
Read more