Philemon: 7 (NIV)
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Colossians Chapter 1: Verse 10 (NIV)
So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
In Nicky Gumbel’s official Facebook page today, he quotes John Wesley, who said;
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
Philemon seems to have done that, and in doing so, the testimony is two-fold. It encouraged Paul, as his mentor and teacher because it demonstrated Philemon’s desire to live in a manner that reflected his faith and brought glory to God, but it also acted as the means of drawing others to the one that Philemon was seeking to follow. When those who have done their best to encourage and support us in our Christian Walk see us maturing and continuing in the faith that they perhaps led us to, it must really gladden their heart, but imagine the pleasure that it brings to God as our Father, when He sees us doing our best to emulate the example set for us by Jesus. But our practical application of Jesus’ example should also make people take note of who it is we are seeking to serve and why. By doing good on His behalf and in His name, we will bless those on the receiving end, but we will also hopefully encourage them to follow the one we are serving.
I had the privilege today of attending the funeral of someone who lived out her faith and John Wesley’s maxim to the full. I am sure she would be surprised at the number of people she made a difference to because of that, and I certainly hope I can do the same.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for all the encouragement and blessings I have received from those who live out their faith as Philemon did. I pray I might do likewise, but most of all that I might bring joy and gladness to You who have given to me in abundance. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.