Thanks, Holly, for being my last minute model.
How can you say “No”?
Man, as I think about Christmas coming and the wish list children have, they may need to take a lesson on “guilting someone into doing something” from Paul.
Momma, Daddy, I’ve been good all year (or month or week or day), can I pleeeeaaassee have ____ for Christmas. I am your favorite, and/or only daughter/son. If you love me you’ll get it for me. I will wash your car, clean your room, and take out the trash, anything if you would just buy ___ for me. I’m only young once. Yada, yada, yada.
Now, I’m not saying that that is what Paul did to his dear friend, Philemon, when asking to accept Onesimus as his brother/slave/friend, but it sure comes close. Maybe I should change the word guilt to persuasion. Paul had a “straight to the heart” persuasive request.
Paul was laying it on thick in Philemon (the third shortest book in the bible). Check this out in my rendition of how Paul stacked the deck for his buddy Philemon:
- Verse 8 (no need to look up which chapter, there’s only one): Paul says that he could demand in the name of Jesus Christ Philemon to take his friend, Onesimus, in because it is the right thing to do, but he thought he’d just ask a favor. (“It’s the Right Thing to do” card)
- Verse 9: Paul is “simply asking” a request to be done. Oh, and don’t forget that “I’m an old man in prison for Jesus’ sake.” (I’m and old man….in prison” card)
- Verse 10: Paul states that again…he’s asking. (“Just asking”, bat the eyes, card)
- Verse 11-12: Now he’s informing Philemon that it is like giving him Paul’s heart if he says yes to the request. It is a sacrifice on Paul’s part. (“Sacrificial” card)
- Verse 13: Again…don’t forget “I’m in prison for Jesus Christ.” (The “I’m in prison” card again)
- Verse 14: Paul states that he’s asking, not forcing. He wants Philemon to do what Philemon wants to do. (“Do what you want to do” card)
- Verse 17: He digs deeper here and pulls “the friend” card. “I’m am the friend I think I am to you, you’ll take him in”
- Verse 18: I’ll pay for anything he owes you. (“No cost to you, I’ll pay any debt he owes” card)
- Verse 19: Finally, “oh, BTW, if he does owe you, and I’m paying, I won’t mention that YOU owe me your very soul.” (BAM! The final card of “How can you refuse my request after you owe me your life?” card)
So what do you think? Guilt or persuasion or simply the thing to do?
I know…Stephanie, this is a bit far fetch for a devotional. But let’s go back and take a look again in another way.
We should accept Jesus as our friend because He:
- Wants us to
- It’s the right thing to do
- He wants us to simply ask
- He paid our debt with a great sacrifice
- We owe Him our very life!
How can you say “No” to Him?
I have a “straight to the heart” request for you. Will you invite Jesus in to your life?
Blessings and God’s abundant love to y’all.
A biblical commentary on Onesimus, Paul, and Philemon: (and there are many more you can research)
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Phlm/Philemons-Relationship