COMMENDATION. v.4 Commendable. There is something very special about when one brother in Christ commends the character of another in conversation with others. Even more so, when one offers praise and tells another that he is praying for him, it carries significant weight. When one genuinely commends and consistently gives thanks to God for his brother, that holds great value. Paul exemplified all of this in his communication with Philemon. His praise and prayer for Philemon were not intended to soften his heart to receive Onesimus but were instead a genuine, honest, and sincere response to a friend and brother in Christ. Paul was not a scheming, subtle, or underhanded person.
Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a great starting point when thinking about a brother or sister, regardless of who they are. This practice can become a habit that lifts my spirits and prevents me from being overly critical. In fact, it should evolve into more than just a habit; it should be a way for me to manage my thoughts and feelings toward others. This allows me to view people and their endeavors or life situations more effectively, enhancing my ability to intercede on their behalf.
Joy and thanksgiving in one's heart for another person warm our souls and encourage us to say and do what is right. Paul's prayer to God for Philemon was both personal and continual. He was grateful for the man himself and expressed specific thanksgiving for him in God’s presence. His prayer was directed to God, who was very real to him, allowing Paul to rely on God's concern during times of joy and sorrow. His prayer was profoundly personal. "I thank my God," indicates he had a conscious and meaningful relationship with God. His personal thanksgiving to God was for the evidence of God's ongoing work of grace in his brother Philemon. Intercession. When we witness evidence of God working in and through those we led to Christ, we feel extremely thankful. This thankfulness acts as a gift from God to us. Devotion and praise to God come first before we intercede for others. The ministry of intercessory prayer is an ongoing and ever-expanding work for us. People, places, and practices are all vital components of this ministry. Older saints who may be physically limited can engage in this work for the Lord as often as they wish and wherever they are. The circumstances in which we find ourselves never limit this service to God and His people. Thanking God for the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel in others, exhorting them to stand fast in the faith, and reminding them of their commitment to God and His word can encourage them. How thankful we are when we see our brothers and sisters walking in the truth of the Word of God. Sanctification through the Word of Truth is something the Lord’s people need daily. Our position in Christ is secure; positional sanctification is a fact. The Spirit of God has placed us in the Body, but it’s up to us to fully conform to what we know is the will of God. He loved us first, and now, in sanctification, our love can demonstrate the reality of our Christian testimony. God, at the beginning, chooses, and new lives begin with only a glimpse of what it means to live by faith and witness the riches of redeeming grace unfolding before them daily. Then they, too, tell others what they have heard and learned, and in testimony, speak of the calling to salvation that no person ever earned.