Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Philemon 1:1-3 (Part 3)

By

Philemon 1:1-3    "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, (2)  And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: (3)  Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Have you ever put a piece of chocolate in your mouth and let it just set there, melting? But while it was melting, you were savoring the flavor? This is the case with these three verses. As I look at them, I can see the various flavors that are coming through the words. We are secured in the Lord by His perfect work of redemption. We are bound to Him and nothing can separate us from His love.  We are blessed to have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and He presents our imperfect prayers to the Lord. As a result of the Lord's working in us, we have had grace given and peace experienced within.

We've all heard it said that mercy is when we do not receive what we deserve and grace is when we receive the goodness of God which we do not deserve.  Paul is setting the stage concerning what he ultimately wants to talk to Philemon. We have received grace from our Heavenly Father. Though mercy is not mentioned in these verses, we can know that it is written into the word, grace. Paul is reminding Philemon that he, himself, received grace and peace. In those words, Philemon could know that he was also a "runaway" from God, but the Lord received him back into the fold as a direct result of grace. Certainly this is not original with me, but I love the thought of GRACE: "God's Riches At Christ's Expense".  Philemon knew in that word, grace, he did not deserve that which the Lord had accomplished for him in order to experience the peace between himself and the Lord.

That is a thought that carries me each day. For you see, I know I am imperfect. I know I am a sinner. I know that my natural being is completely opposing to that which is God. But I'm so thankful that through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ I am now a "sinner saved by grace."  Peace has been made between God and myself and that peace was solely accomplished by Jesus dying in my place on the cross of Calvary's Hill. I rejoice that God has forgiven me of all my sin. I praise Him that He has brought me into His family. How about you? Is that high on your list for which you are thankful?

If I have understood the forgiveness that has been extended to me through my Lord, then I should be more ready to extend forgiveness to others. God, please help me to do so.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Enter With Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:1-5

By
One of the most beautiful Psalms of Thanksgiving is the 100th Psalm. Please turn to it and read verses one through five. With all my heart I believe we are a people and a nation that has truly been blessed by God. Of all those who “give thanks to Him and praise His name” we should be at the top!  It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, and draw up a list of resolutions for the new year. But there is another list we often overlook - a Thanksgiving Day list of all for which we are thankful. What would your list contain? Most likely, a good part would be material possessions. I’m convinced that we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than just our material possessions.  Like you, I’m sure my list would include the major things - life, health, family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. But even more than that, I’m thankful for my salvation, my Church family, and the mercy that God showers upon us each d...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Colossians 1:25-26

By
Colossians 1:25-26    “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;  Even   the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” In verse twenty-four, Paul has expressed his joy in bearing hardship for the church. It is of this church, the body of Jesus Christ, that he is made a minister. Since Paul used the phrase “made a minister” in verse twenty-three of this same chapter, it seems there is something important that he wishes to convey. The Greek word translated as “made” means “to cause to be.” It was the will of God (Col 1:1) that caused Paul to become a minister. God is always the cause of true ministry. Although our fathers may be ministers, if we become true ministers of the gospel it is  not  because our fathers are ministers. True ministers of the gospel do not take that path because they seek honor for themselves, or b...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Matthew 6:9-13 (3)

By
Matthew 6:9-13    "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." When others might go away from us, God has promised never to forsake us. When others might not be truthful, our Father in heaven is faithful and full of truth. When others cannot understand our feelings, our Heavenly Father knows exactly how we feel and is able to empathize with us. In fact, He has told us that He is "touched by the feelings of our infirmities." He is stirred when we are sad.  Our relationship with Him is of th...
Read more