Re:Verse reading–Philemon 1-25 (day one)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Sometimes to get forward we need to go back. Back to a broken relationship. Back to a past wrong that needs to be made right.
After coming to Christ, Onesimus knew that he had to go back to make things right with Philemon, his former master. Roman law had a clear position on runaway slaves. To stay a fugitive and a felon was not an option.
And Paul was no passive observer. He got involved. Coaching Onesimus. Persuading Philemon. Like Jesus, Paul began to intercede, to mediate.
The relationships in a church ARE your business. When the disciples argued (Luke 9) Jesus confronted it. When brothers were broken, Paul inserted himself. “If you consider me a partner, accept him!”–v 17
When He prayed for the church to be one, the Lord knew that we would need to help each attend to broken relationships.
I am convinced that once God’s peace rules in our hearts, we are able to share that peace with others and become ministers of reconciliation and peace.
Peace is what we all need to seek for! It is God’s medicine! The world will continue artificial wars and interpersonal conflicts. How we choose to live matters! How we make decisions matters. Sometimes peace is more important than to be right!
May God bless us all with long lasting peace and wisdom.