Grace Changes Us
For Meditation
At the beginning of the new year everyone talks about change. What new things do you want to see in your life, what new resolutions will you make? But rarely these commitments translate into lasting transformation.
In this little often overlooked book, Paul is casting a vision of personal, collective and social change that is rooted in the gospel of grace. It's a fascinating book in the Bible, because unlike other of Paul's epistles, Paul is writing to one person and he is addressing a very specific social problem. Yet in the process, Paul demonstrates how the gospel brings power to change not just the fabric of our relationships but indeed the whole social order.
NT Wright says about Philemon: "No part of the New Testament more clearly demonstrates integrated Christian thinking and living." That's the key of real change: integration, in which the good news of God's grace gets thoroughly integrated into every part of our lives. That's the journey of the Christian life.
As you prepare for worship, would you invite God to do this work of integration in you? What part of your life is outside the realm of Christ's Lordship? What might need to be challenged? What new way might God's grace need to get to work in your life this year? Spend some time with God and invite him to address these questions in you.
Philemon 1-7
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.