Philemon 12-16
What motivates you to respond to the situations that surround you? Years ago, I had an assignment for a class that I literally took to the streets to see how people would react. I dressed like a homeless person and sat on the sidewalk right outside the main entrance of the Bible School I was attending. As I called out to different ones, they all walked past and even tried to stay as far away from me as possible. Yes, those who did nothing were from the same school I was attending. Most responded out of fear, annoyance, safety or security. One young man had his conscious pricked, and he circled back to double check on me. After a short conversation I told him that I was a student like him and this act was part of a class project. He was shocked that he was the only one to stop. Again I ask, What motivates you to respond to situations you see? As Paul writes to Philemon in verses 12-14 he addresses the motives of service that are based on relationship, function or compulsion. However, in verse 15-16 he emphasizes a motive of spiritual purpose that has an eternal perspective. Paul desires for Philemon to respond to Onesimus as a brother in Christ and seek his best interests. Today, Are we doing what we do out of service and love for God? Are we serving to bring God’s perspective and spiritual change in the lives of others? May a love for God guide our motives and direct our service so we respond correctly, as God would have us, to the situations around us.
For more see PHILEMON
What motivates you to respond to the situations that surround you? Years ago, I had an assignment for a class that I literally took to the streets to see how people would react. I dressed like a homeless person and sat on the sidewalk right outside the main entrance of the Bible School I was attending. As I called out to different ones, they all walked past and even tried to stay as far away from me as possible. Yes, those who did nothing were from the same school I was attending. Most responded out of fear, annoyance, safety or security. One young man had his conscious pricked, and he circled back to double check on me. After a short conversation I told him that I was a student like him and this act was part of a class project. He was shocked that he was the only one to stop. Again I ask, What motivates you to respond to situations you see? As Paul writes to Philemon in verses 12-14 he addresses the motives of service that are based on relationship, function or compulsion. However, in verse 15-16 he emphasizes a motive of spiritual purpose that has an eternal perspective. Paul desires for Philemon to respond to Onesimus as a brother in Christ and seek his best interests. Today, Are we doing what we do out of service and love for God? Are we serving to bring God’s perspective and spiritual change in the lives of others? May a love for God guide our motives and direct our service so we respond correctly, as God would have us, to the situations around us.
For more see PHILEMON
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