Philemon 4-7 A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING There is something very special when one brother in Christ commends the character of another in conversation with other people. Even more, when one give praise and mentions to another the fact he is praying for him, that is significant. When one actually commends and habitually gives thanks to God for his brother, that is of great value. Paul did all of this in his communication with Philemon. His praise and prayer for Philemon was not to soften his heart to receive Onesimus, but was a genuine, honest and sincere response to a friend and brother in Christ. Paul was not a scheming, subtle underhanded person. Thanksgiving is a good place to start whenever we think about a brother or sister no matter who they are. This practice can become a habit that lifts my own spirit and keeps me from being critical. Actually, it should become more than a habit, but a way I control my thoughts and feelings toward others. In this way I can look at people and their labors or situations in life and be effective in my intercession on their behalf.
Joy and thanksgiving in one's heart at thoughts of another person, warms our soul and gives incentive to say and do what is right ourselves. Paul's prayer to God for Philemon was personal and was continual. He was grateful for the man himself and was specific in his thanksgiving for him when he was in the presence of God. His prayer was to God. God was real to him and Paul could rely on God's interest in times of joy and sorrow. His prayer was very personal. "I thank my God," indicates he had a conscious and personal relationship with God that was meaningful to him. His personal thanksgiving to God was for the evidence of God's on-going work of grace in his brother Philemon. When we see evidence of God working in and through those we led to Christ, we are extremely thankful. This thankfulness is like a gift from God to us. Devotion and praise to God comes first before we intercede for others.
The ministry of intercessory prayer is an on-going and ever-expanding work for us. People. places and practices are all objects of this ministry. Older saints who may be physically limited can be at this work for the Lord as often as they want to and wherever they are. The circumstances in which we are found are never limiting to this service for God and His people. Philemon had two excellent qualities that Paul mentions here. He doubtless had many others, but the two he writes about here should be in us all. Love and faith "toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints" are two characteristics that indicate real divine life. "If any man, love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be (accursed)." "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren."
In this particular place the order of love first and then faith is something like when we look at a flower. We see the results in the blossom, like we see the evidence of love, and know that the root is working unseen to produce that effect, as does faith work to produce evidence of love. In this reading we see the results before the cause. Love is the outward showing of inward faith. It is the visible result of on-going faith. The object of faith is our Lord Jesus. The object of love is the saints. Paul is leading up to the place where Philemon has opportunity to show the reality of his faith by showing love to Onesimus. He has shown this to "all saints." Now he will be able to show this to a runaway slave who has returned back to his master.
Paul had heard good reports of Philemon and had good cause for thanksgiving because of them. They probably came from Epaphras who had come to Rome, and maybe other believers who were acquainted with Philemon also mentioned this brother favorably. Perhaps even Onesimus who was a new believer now had good words to say about his master whom he had wronged. Our "love for all saints" will be tested when we have been wronged or when we feel we have been unjustly criticized. But when our faith is deeply rooted in Christ Jesus, we will find that such love can be truly demonstrated. Faith actually works out visibly through love. Faith in Christ is a great motivation to produce the fruit of love in one's life. Faith sees the holiness of God in our Lord Jesus who gave Himself for us because "the Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me." That same "love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts" demonstrates the reality of our Lord Jesus Christ to others through us. Love takes on visible, tangible expressions when it is directed to those right where we are. The saints are here, the time is now and the scope is "all saints" - even "Onesimus" is included.
The sharing of faith promotes the knowledge of all that is good in Christ Jesus. "Communicating" is simply sharing our faith by showing practical acts of kindness that demonstrates love for the saints. Feeding the hungry, comforting those who have lost loved ones, coming alongside of those who are sick or distressed are all ways we show evidence of growing in grace because of God at work in us. The life of a believer can lead others to know all the good that is in the Christian life and to use that influence and power to demonstrated the love of God in human flesh. This fellowship connects believers through acts of kindness and fruitfulness. Truth has a way of revealing God through the lives of believers who do what they do as unto Christ, for His glory, His honor and His praise.
News of Philemon's generosity and sacrificial love brought comfort to Paul when he was in the prison at Rome. It is always a privilege to lead a soul to Christ and it is greatly rewarding to hear of their faithfulness in serving the Lord themselves. Our actions affect other people and our influence extends farther than we might expect. Our potential for both good and evil is really not limited so we should be aware of the fact that we are representatives of our Lord wherever we are. Paul was obviously confident that forgiveness and love to Onesimus would be shown by Philemon. Love to the Lord's people and the blessing it brings to them brings joy and consolation to those who have invested themselves in the lives of those who follow the pattern of godly living they have been taught. Paul was given joy and encouragement by Philemon even though he was unaware of it. When we have a fuller understanding of all God has done for us, we are better able to respond in the right way toward those things that arise in our lives so that we can benefit others. My resources, faith and love open doors to blessing and service to others for the glory of God.
They are there, in far and distant places seeking souls for Jesus' sake They are here, in my heart and mind as for them I intercession make They are there, where people watch, and listen, and wonder if what they say is true There are here, in my prayers as I ask God to help them and carry them through The difficulties and pressures that are before them there to face And I ask the Lord of the harvest to, for His sake, give them grace To demonstrate the reality of the truth they do impart So that the love of God through them, might reach to opened hearts.
I am here, for whatever reason God sees fit to get from me I am here, with names and faces impressed on my mind indelibly Who with faith, went forth to places and people yet unknown That divine love and forgiveness through them to others will be shown And in this way, though separated, I can share in the work they do Knowing in a coming day those who sow, those who water, and reapers too Will look on with wondering eyes to the multitudes on high And find exceeding joy in results of faith, and the truth we did buy.
He is near, to guide and guard those who serve in Jesus' name He is near to those who pray at home and in fellowship share the same Response to grace by thanking our Lord for victories won And giving Him all the glory for all in love that He has done Love and faith are here in order because through love we here can see All that faith unfeigned produces through prayers made intercessory Hearts are opened, joy unfolds in lives that daily now demonstrate All the blessings God has given to us all for Jesus' sake.
"Father, I believe joy is contagious when love and faith are joined together to bless the people. May prayer is that these characteristics of real Christianity may be seen in me today and every day. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."