Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A Refreshing Christian

Philemon 7 – For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

THEME OF THE DAY. A REFRESHING CHRISTIAN. Settle in and ponder the relationship of the Apostle Paul and Philemon based on today’s scripture. These two brothers in Christ simply loved each other. And it wasn’t a love of words but of action. Look into the heart of Paul through his words of affirmation to Philemon. This dear brother was an oasis of refreshment to the often battle-weary Apostle. The ministry of encouragement of Philemon to Paul was real producing much joy, comfort, and it extended to other believers.

This theme of spiritual refreshment from other Christians was common with the Apostle Paul Five other times he would mention this ministry of encouragement, not only to himself, but its impact on others. Here they are . . . “So that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company” (Romans 15:32); “For they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people” (1 Corinthians 16:18); “Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all” (2 Corinthians 7:13); “May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains” (2 Timothy 1:16); and the final one appears in the latter part of Paul’s letter to Philemon – “Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ” (Philemon 20).

In reading these wonderful descriptions of Christians who were a spiritual oasis of refreshment to other Christians, it begs the question, “Are we like them?” And to further amplify this important self-assessment, we must ask two other questions and do so in a personal way, “Am I a Christian who is committed to regularly encouraging other Christians with words and actions building them up in their walk with the Lord?” or “Am I a Christian so driven by personal interests and a ‘me-centeredness’ that I don’t even think about serving God’s people in the ministry of spiritual encouragement?”

I cannot stress the serious implication of an honest examination about this spiritual privilege and responsibility we have to one another. Jesus said the distinguishing mark in His people is their love for one another (John 13:34-35). And this love must be active, purposeful, and positive. It reaches out and touches people with words and actions of spiritual refreshment. Are we those type of Christians? If so, do it more and more as the Apostle Paul would tell the Thessalonians – “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10). And there is an important application of the words of Jesus and of Paul’s to the Thessalonians. We may immediately know if we are attempting to obey this command in the flesh, which is unacceptable, or in the Spirit by the love of Christ, which is true obedience, by this criteria; are acts of love from us consistent and increasing? It won’t be start, stop, but will become more and more who we are in Christ to other believers.

As important as it is to ask, “Are we Christians committed to the ministry of spiritual refreshment to other Christians?”, it is equally vital to ask if we are not these type of Christians, “Why not?” In the most basic and simplest of terms, Christians growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ find in their lives personal interests and desires fading and Christ’s interests and desires increasing. And what are His interests and desires? Love. Love to all people and particularly love to His people in the ministry of spiritual refreshment.

PRAYER: “Father, grant that I may more and more learn to put the interests of others ahead of my own”

QUOTE: “We will know the place Christ has in our hearts by our commitment to serve and encourage His people”