Paul is cracking me up. When I read the book of Philemon (all 25 verses of it) this morning, I had to laugh. I shared some verses with my friend, Susan, and she said what I was thinking. It reminds me of a parent talking to their child saying, “This is what I think you should do, BUT let me just put it out there for YOU to decide. I know it is the right thing to do, BUT I’ll let you figure it out for yourself.” The parent was bold, yet not demanding; considerate and loving, yet opinionated.
Here’s what Paul said in verses 8 and 9 when he is asking Philemon to accept Onesimus:
“That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.”
But he didn’t stop there. In verse 20 he says, “Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.” Okay, he asked graciously, but now he’s starting to “hammer the nail into the coffin”. Paul’s pulling out the “Jesus card”.
Then….he says in verse 21, “I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!” BAM! The nail is in the wood for sure.
How can you say “No” to Paul after all of that?
Oh, my laughter didn’t end there. Paul added in verse 22, “One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.” Okay, Paul, you want them to do you a favor that you so boldly asked in such a persuading way, and then you add an “Oh, yea, by the way, get me a room ready. I’m coming over.”
Could this be God making a request of us? He’s saying:
“Boy, oh boy, do I have a plan for your life. You’ve had some issues in that past, but let me just tell you that your life will be glorious in the end IF you just do want I’m so kindly asking of you to do. I have a mansion waiting for you in Paradise. I can’t wait for you to see it. I get excited just thinking about it. So… will you just accept my Son, Jesus, into your heart? He’s a really cool dude. He’ll be the greatest friend you’ve ever had and all you’ll ever need. Now, I’m not demanding you to ask Jesus in, but I’m pretty sure that it is the best thing for you. Oh, and when you do accept Him, because I feel confident that you will make the right decision, get ready for me too. We come as One.”
How will you answer God?
Blessings to you.
Philemon 1-25
