BLESSED AUTHORITY OF LOVE.

" Authority of Love "

 

Philemon 1:8-11  Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.

I then, as Paul - an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus -
appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. (NIV).

Paul had God's authority to speak the truth.
But he was careful in applying that authority in pastoral situations.

He knew that each individual's response must be out of personal conviction,
based on a clear understanding of the facts.

He had no wish to perpetuate the oppressive authoritarianism of the religious cults.
So he appeals on the basis of God's sacrificial love which changes lives.
 
Onesimus, the run-away slave, had found Jesus through Paul's teaching while in prison.

How, we do not know.

But Paul wanted to prepare his master, Philemon,
to welcome his truant back home without punishment -
not just as a slave but also as a brother in Christ.

This was not just a naļve and sentimental thought (Christians are sometimes rightly accused of that):
there was real evidence of repentance.

Instead of resenting God's Word and God's people in Philemon's home,
he was hungry to be taught and loved other believers as a brother in Christ.

Instead of refusing to serve, he was glad to attend to the old apostle's needs.
 
Reconciliation without repentance has no integrity.
But where repentance is seen, the door should be open to forgiveness and reconciliation.

This is no political or pragmatic business compromise;
it is God's grace at work in the church of Jesus Christ.

Repentance is the key.

And part of that repentance is willingness to submit to the authority you once despised.

When that is seen worked out in sacrificial service,
we should welcome what God is doing and restore the sinner.
 
Prayer for the day : -

God of grace and truth. Thank You for the gospel, through which we learn how to repent and
how to receive Your new life in Christ.

Forgive me when I have been less gracious than You are with repentant sinners;
or when I have been more sentimental than You are with unrepentant sinners.

Help me to learn for myself the link between repentance and reconciliation.
May I learn to discern Your true work of grace in those who have strayed,
so that they can be restored to usefulness.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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Father's Love Letter

How's my favorite kid?

You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways…Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image…Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being…Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring…Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived…Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation…Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book…Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb…Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born…Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me…John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love… 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you…1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father…1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could…Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father…Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand…James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs…Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope…Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love…Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore…Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing…Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you…Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession…Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul…Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvellous things…Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me…Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart…Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires…Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine…Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager…2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles…2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are broken-hearted, I am close to you…Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart…Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes…Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth…Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus…John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed…John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being…Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins…2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled…2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you…1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love…Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me…1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again…Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen…Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father…Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child?…John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you…Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad,

Almighty God