Foundation

Re:Verse reading–Philemon 1-25 (day three)

I appeal to you on the basis of love.

The modern Western mind might view the stakes in this way: A man who had temporarily clawed out a sliver of respite from life as a subject of human trafficking could end up disappearing into a system of forced servitude in which death is the only limiting factor.  Paul’s mind was not a modern Western one.  But his spiritual and intellectual brilliance led to the rise of that mind as he helped lay the foundation for what would become Western civilization.  How did that happen?  Paul concedes that he could force the issue by any means necessary: authority, position, coercion, shame, threat.  He rejects those means, discerning that regardless of the short-term outcome, they would produce only more of the same kind of world which gave us the present moment.  Love alone is transformative.

Author: Bryan Richardson

Bryan Richardson is the Associate Pastor for Counseling and Pastoral Ministries at FBCSA.

3 thoughts on “Foundation”

  1. Brilliant comments of a single time and space which also opens us up to the reality of God continuing to work in human history following the time of Philemon, Onesimus, Paul and Peter! Our time is part of God’s “fullness of time” noted at Jesus’ birth. The work still continue; the “time” is God’s presence in each moment’s activity, thought and breath. Our human experience in this very moment is due to God’s activity. He has surely established our boundaries of life in pleasant places.

  2. Love is the foundation for peace, health, joy, happiness and harmony. Everyone wants to love and be loved.

    Love can move mountains and will transform a life! A goof life journey begins with love! There are different types of love. Everything start from one’s heart!

  3. I totally agree that love alone is transformative. God’s foundation is love. Spread love and we will experience peace and harmony.

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