Choosing God's Way

"Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say." -Philemon 1:21

This past weekend I had a conversation with a good friend about forgiveness. This story was mentioned by him. I disagreed with him and even told him he's wrong in his view of this story. I went to church, and in the Bible study, this story came up. It wasn't a coincidence. I knew right away God was showing me what I told my friend was right on. We always have to remember that we need to study the word to understand what is being said. We can't just make up our own interpretation of what it means. It doesn't work that way.

Paul was writing to Philemon to send Onesimus back. Let me be clear, very clear. He wasn't sending him back to be a slave. He was sending him back as a brother to Philemon having confidence in him to obey and do even more that he asked of him-to let Onesimus go, to set him free. Paul never intended for Onesimus to go back to slavery. Paul was against slavery, but since there was a law, Paul went to the heart of the matter.

Paul understood Philemon would do what was right in the eyes of God.

Look at how he penned those words, "Having confidence in your obedience," acknowledging he really was expecting him to obey the Word of God. Next, setting the stage and letting him know, "I know that you will do even more than what I say." This had nothing to do with obeying Paul, but this had everything to do with obeying God. There was a practice that was inhumane. This is where culture stops at the cross. Just because the world has certain practices it does not give us permission to do what is evil in the sight of God. We need to, "Do even more than what it is said to us."

Two very important things to remember and meditate on today.

1) Onesimus was a slave. This man found Christ while he was on the run. Through, Paul, while he was in prison. Paul understood what prison meant because he was in it and could identify with him. Onesimus repents and agrees to go back to his slave master, not even knowing what his fate would mean. Would you go back to a life of slavery, beatings, and torture? Hard question to answer. However, God had already set the stage for Onesimus miraculous deliverance. He just had to trust, and do things God's way.

Onesimus knew he had fled, who could blame him? You and I would have done the same thing. However, it was still against the law. When caught, he could have been killed. Onesimus meets Paul he accepts the gospel message and acknowledged he still had to obey the law no matter what. Paul saw great strength, humbleness, and true repentance. Please catch this, "True, and real, repentance." This is where people either make it, or lose it. A person who truly repents, owning up to their own mistakes, and goes back to fix them, is the person who will succeed.

2) Philemon had all authority, as sick as that was, to condemn or forgive -to keep him in prison or set him free, to view him as a brother or as a slave, to obey Paul or disobey. Ultimately would he do things God's way, or what culture allowed?

Two people who had two different opinions, and a law which had to be overcome.

Listen, God is the God of the impossible. We either follow Godly advice and obey, or we follow our emotions, thoughts, and disobey. No mater how you slice it or dice it, we make decisions based on God's way or our way.

So, what's my point?

God honors obedience His way, not ours. He is the only one that truly knows and understands the intent of every heart. He has a way out, more incredible than what you think, imagine, or conceive. You cannot ever go wrong doing things God's way. It really has nothing to do with what our cultural upbringing says. Almost all of the time, manmade rules and regulations are contrary to the laws of God. Choose God's way because His way will not fail you!

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro Chief Executive Officer, Learning Disabilities Worldwide, Inc. Founder and President, Thread of Hope, Inc.

INSIGHT: Culture stops at the cross. Just because the culture you may live in calls something good or right DOES NOT mean that God calls it right or good, and just because it is happening in your culture DOES NOT mean God approves. The children of God need to go against the culture and stand up for what's right and do what is right. We have no right to call evil good or good evil when God has clearly stated in His Word what is good and what is evil. God has made it clear what He declares in His Word.

To know God's Word will help you through trials and temptations and teach you how to even rejoice in good times. The Word will assist you in discerning right and wrong in the place where you live and will teach you how to live in faithfulness to God while living in this world.

It is important to remember as a child of God, this world IS NOT your home. So what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses his soul? Get into the Word and know what your God requires, and study to show yourself approved as a workman who does not need to be ashamed.

MEDITATE: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" -Isaiah 5:20 "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." -James 4:4

Do you find yourself compromising because of the culture you are in? Have you given in to what the world views to be good even though you know what God says? Either you will be on God's side or you will be a friend of the world's. You cannot serve two masters. You have only two options: A) You can be a friend of the world and live as the world does, living by worldly standards and views or B) You can be a friend of God which will require your undivided loyalty, doing what God wills and wants, and requiring you to take a stand for what is right in the eyes of God.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for failing You. You are the Lord of all the Earth and the Master over all. I'm sorry I strayed off Your path, and I'm thankful for this opportunity You have given me to make things right with You. Teach me to conform to Your ways, Lord, and remind me always that this world isn't worth losing my soul over. I surrender my life to Your hands to do with me as You will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

Executive Director

#TopicArticle #obedience #faith #forgiveness #disobedience #Philemon #Onesimus