PHILEMON 4-7 – I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 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 PHILEMON-LIKE REPUTATION.  So when people, especially Christians, talk about us with other Christians, and yes, people talk about people, and Christians talk about other Christians, what is our reputation in those conversations.  How would we be described?  There are three options.

First, we have a reputation as a discourager which largely means we are focused on ourselves; our problems, our challenges, our being used by the Lord, basically, the type of Christian reputation centered on me, my, and mine.  No one likes being around self-centered people.  It discourages.

Another reputation we may hold before others is one of worldly indifference. This too is discouraging.  When in a conversation with such a Christian, little, if any, spiritual talk is shared.  Jesus is absent.  Sharing Biblical truths being learned is absent.  There is more talk of worldly things than heavenly things indicating the presence of a Christian who is lukewarm, and indifferent to the things of the Lord.  How discouraging when we are seeking real spiritual fellowship in the Lord Jesus and all we get are things like the weather, economy, sports, what is wrong with the world, and anything else but the things of the Lord.

The third reputation and one we are to strive for daily is Philemon-like as described in today’s scripture. Based on the Apostle Paul’s strong affirmation of the type of Christian he was, who would not long for and make a bee-line to be with this dear brother in the Lord?  Paul says three things about him which are the qualities in a Christ-honoring reputation.  First, he is known for his love and faith – the highest marks of a healthy walk with the Lord Jesus. Additionally, his love is impartial, to all the saints – because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.  Next, he is a Christian regularly sharing the faith. He has a reputation as a Gospel-sharer, the very mission each Christian is on in this world – I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.  Finally, Philemon is a believer who is a breath of fresh air to other believers. He brings encouragement and refreshment in conversation and conduct with other Christians – For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Our reputations before others, and especially with other Christians, either enhance our testimony for the Lord Jesus or hinder it.  May the Lord help us to build and maintain one like Philemon.  It will build up the body of Christ as we interact with other believers in word and deed.

RAYER: “Father, may I build and maintain a reputation of love, faith, and being an encourager.”

QUOTE: “People should leave every conversation they have with us uplifted not discouraged.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim