Good News and More Good News

The Sharing of Your Faith

(Philemon 4-7)

[4] I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,

Paul remembered Philemon in his prayers to God, and he thanked God always for this beloved brother.

[5] because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

Paul had reasons for these prayers of gratitude. He was hearing of Philemon's love that was the foremost fruit of the Holy Spirit's work in his life. He was getting reports of Philemon's life of faith, that he was trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith in Jesus and love for Jesus was overflowing in love for all who belonged to the Lord, the holy ones, the saints, who worshiped together in his house in Colossae.

[6] 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.

Paul not only thanked God for Philemon. He also interceded for him. He asked the Lord to make the faith of Philemon effective in the sharing of a life of love that flows from that faith. Paul looked for the fullness of that life of love. He longed that Philemon, who already knew Jesus, would know Him more and more, and that knowing Jesus, every good gift of Jesus in the church would be expressed there in Colossae for the glory of the Son of God. What a great prayer!

[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.Paul wrote about His thanksgiving and petitions to God not to flatter this friend or to make up nice things of which he had no personal knowledge. Paul himself had derived much joy and comfort from the tangible evidence of Philemon's love for Christ and His people. He knew from firsthand observation that many lives in the church had experienced the refreshment and care that came from this man.

Do we have encouraging words for one another? Do we see signs of God's work in and among us and even through one another to the church and beyond to the world? We should be led by the Lord to speak of these great evidences of His new creation work in our midst. This prepares us to do further deeds of mercy that flow from heaven in accord with the wisdom of God.

Do not boast in the flesh. Boast in the Lord, who is working His kingdom purposes through the church. That encouragement may help the church to see the way of freedom more clearly, and to rejoice in the Lord who gives His sons the wonderful privilege of kingdom service.