CONFIDENCE. v. 21 Heartfelt obedience that is not grudgingly imposed but rooted in willingness rather than authority fosters reconciliation when enacted this way. We should remember and practice several steps to reconciliation that we can learn from the men mentioned in scripture. First, be willing to identify with those involved. The words used by Paul were "son" in reference to Onesimus and "brother" in reference to Philemon. Another step is to request, not order, when seeking a positive response. Third, when aiming for results, seek voluntary consent instead of submission. Then, appeal with love and grace, not power and authority. Finally, be prepared to absorb a loss and bear the cost of reconciliation. There are moments when we must forgive to avoid bitterness.
Paul had confidence in Philemon, knowing he would do more than he asked. His confident expectation was based on Philemon’s obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. The fact that Paul wrote, “You will do even more than I say,” suggests that Philemon may have freed Onesimus. Additionally, a second-century letter by Ignatius mentions an Onesimus who was a bishop at Ephesus.
One thing we know for sure is that God’s grace towards us is a powerful motivator to show grace to others. Love for Christ makes obedience to Him a natural response to His words and grace. “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
When we employ tact in our pursuit of a positive outcome, much more is achieved compared to making demands in an authoritarian way. Courtesy, respect, and tact in our relationships with others are effective in attaining the desired result. Christian love, a graceful demeanor, and carefully chosen words spoken with respect lend weight to one’s personal testimony as a believer in Christ. Christian love is grateful for the best in others [v.4], seeks the welfare of others [v.10], deals honestly with others [v.12], bears the burdens of others [v.18], and believes the best of others [v.21].
Confidence. Confidence in the outcome of a battle against temptation and challenge must come from trusting the Lord, who gives the full assurance of faith. When we are obedient to the will of God, we can get assurance from God, who strengthens us to obey His will. We can be encouraged about the outcome when God gives us His word and assurance. When assurance comes from the Lord as to what needs to be done, it is our responsibility to act on what He has told us. The sovereignty and greatness of God have to be learned, and through that means, His will has to be acted upon. A radical dependence on Him leads to wholehearted confidence in Him.
When the spirit of fear has been replaced by power, love, and a sound mind, perceived obstacles are no longer an issue. When we are truly committed to the Lord, we will embody that which we know to be His will. Place complete trust in our Gracious Father to guide us through the decision-making process, and you will recognize that God is in control, confidently using you to help others experience personal faith in Him. What is entrusted to us and done out of love for Christ will receive a “full recompense of reward.” Give all your concerns to the Lord, who will sustain you. He will ensure all you have done for Him; He will guard and keep it. "All power" is His, and our relationship with Him is because we know Him personally. Expressing confidence in our brothers and sisters is neither a sham nor a sentimental gesture. We hear their names and turn to prayer with intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. We visualize our loved ones sitting at the table sharing bread and cup, and we thank the Lord for those we hold in our hearts. Praising the saints for their strength to resist the pressures to conform and for the influence of their lives on others is a meaningful way to encourage God's people.
Genuine praise for a consistent witness and concern for spreading the Gospel motivates our fellow saints. All saints need to remember that we are in Christ. The Lord can effectively use every believer. We all have good work that keeps us focused on what is important. Each of us is a participant in God's grace, which comes from the Source of grace to us when needed. All have a genuine interest. A proof of our reality is "Do I love the brethren?"
Obedience. The act of obedience is submitting to one who has designated authority. It goes beyond knowing what is right to not doing what is wrong and doing what is right by faith in the word of one in authority. The Lord Jesus Christ was a person of perfect obedience. He said, “I always do those things that please the Father.” His perfect submission and uncomplaining obedience to the Father was expressed in the words, “Not My will, but Thine be done.” Obedience is faith in action.
Faith takes God at His word. That is the foundation of our life: peace, strength, and progress. Faith is strong by its very nature. Faith goes far beyond emotions or self-sacrifice. Faith believes that God keeps His promises and that faith is vindicated. Faith has its source in God. God is a reality to those who put their faith in Him. There is no skepticism, doubt, or disobedience when God’s will is plain. Faith believes in God. Faith’s secret is unquestioning trust in God. Fellowship with God is real, personal, and responsive. As we abide in Christ, faith grows strong, love grows deep, and our confidence and hope grow higher. Obedience by faith is in the great blessing of grace. Faith is in the hearts of those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ. The obedience of faith prevails with God and over sin and Satan, overcomes impossibilities, and leads to victory over great obstacles. Obedience by faith provides a place of security in the storms of life, gives a Christian a shield in the warfare in which we are engaged, and discerns things that cannot be seen. Faith lets us learn the mind of God and experience the power of the cross. It puts Jesus on the throne of our life and produces love for Him that is stronger than death. The obedience of faith opens our hearts and mouths to pray and praise God, makes life an exciting journey of spiritual service, and gives light to see all it focuses on. Faith is a treasure to use now. It is more valuable than all the wealth of the world. Faith takes us through trials to see the reality and purpose of God’s grace in all its strength. Faith is as evident as the courage of a soldier in a battle, the root of a tree in a strong wind, a rock standing against the waves of the sea, or the foundation of a building—all unseen but all evident. Often, unexpectedly, our obedience is tested. The obedience of faith is the simple element of unreserved trust. It is consistent in what it does without raising questions. It looks above what is ordinary and above the sky to the face of God. “God will provide…” It goes forward step by step, knowing that God leads us to glory, and God’s glory is an unspeakable blessing. We will be successful if we continue in the spirit of obedience to God's Word and faith in Him to enable us to accomplish His will. We need the stability of an identifiable standard. We are passing through a wilderness, and our position is not something we ignore. We rally to the faith of our fathers, the Bible, and the scriptures of truth. We gather where the standard of righteousness waves above, where we gather to the Lord Jesus Christ. When we obey God, we desire that our fathers' faith still lives in us and those who come after us.
Obeying God is one thing we can control. We have been given the choice to commit ourselves to listening to His word, learn His will, and acting on what we know to be right. Then He will take action for us and leave no doubt that it is “God who is working in you to will and do of His good pleasure.”
I cannot control what other people may do or think, nor can I demand anything from them or God, because if I had what I really deserve, I would be lost eternally. I can control whether I will obey my Lord, listen to His word, and act on what He says. It is within my power to rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit and face the foes that oppose the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I can choose whether I want comfort and complacency or be obedient to the authority of the commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace does not free us to sin, but rather obligates us to obey God and enables us to live free from sin. Now we are free to obey that truth and the righteousness that results. We were commissioned to the Gospel. The work of Christ on the cross has brought us salvation. Now we are to preach the Gospel, baptize, and teach people to do what God’s word says as obedient servants.
We do that from the heart, loving God more than any relationship, activity, achievement, or possession. Obeying from our will means total commitment to God; from the mind, knowing God and His word, which is the foundation of everything we do. Obeying with our bodies involves using every capacity God has given us to fulfill His standards in love.
Half-hearted obedience is really self-will. Obeying is better than sacrifice; it is our lifelong service. When we fail in our obedience, a broken and contrite heart, God will not despise. Obeying means I take a stand in loyalty to God, and will be fair, just, humble, and merciful because He is merciful to me.