STAYING FRESH!

In our last devotional, we looked at the story of Onesimus, the runaway slave of Philemon. The powerful change that came into O’s life is captured in Paul’s magnificent statement in verse 11, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.”

We have to speculate about how O got with Paul in Rome. In the previous article I raised the question, “Is it possible that O ran away from his employer, Philemon, because he was attracted to the message of Jesus but for unexplained reasons would not or could not respond in that environment?” The beauty of the story is that he did get to a place where he could respond and the results were radical.

Paul’s approach to Philemon is very affirming and gracious. He calls Philemon his “beloved friend and fellow laborer” (v. 1). He assures Philemon of his constant prayers on his behalf and compliments his wonderful testimony of love and faith (vv. 4 and 5). And then in verse 6 Paul makes this somewhat provocative statement:
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

Is it possible that as he writes to share the news about O’s conversion, Paul also has a corrective word? Is it possible that the church in Colosse had become primarily a believers’ gathering, that little or no evangelism was taking place?

Some would say that is just speculation! I don’t think so. I believe Paul was lovingly addressing a problem in the Colossian church. One of the fundamental truths of church life is, “as the head goes, so goes the body.” Philemon was one of the keys leaders of the church that met in his home and if Philemon was not sharing the message of the gospel and that had become his way of life, you can mark it down in indelible ink that was the way of the church.

Paul appeals to Philemon with a very rational argument. He maintains that as we share our faith, we gain a fuller understanding of all that Christ died to provide for us (see v. 6).

Our home sits on the south side of a small man-made lake, one of four small lakes in a chain. Because they are man-made, it is a struggle to keep them full of water, so the homeowners’ association installed a recirculation system. The water in the lakes flows from east to west and then is pumped back to the eastern end. Problem solved? Well, not quite. In our warmer climate, it is difficult to keep recirculating water fresh. Health and vitality in lakes happens when there is a strong flow of fresh water coming in one end and an outlet on the other; it is the flow of new water that keeps the lake fresh and the water clean and clear.

The same is true with the spiritual man. If there is mostly recirculation, then the water is going to become murky and strange things are going to start growing.

Paul’s challenge to Philemon was couched in delicate terms because the Colossian church was not one that he began and, in fact, he had never been there. His challenge, however, was clear: “For you to fully realize who you are in Christ you have to begin sharing your faith with others.” Why would he say this? Because the Colossians were not doing this!

The lack of evangelism in the Colossian church is a tragedy of incredible proportions. When the church stops sharing the gospel to those around it, people pass into eternity without Christ and the blame lies with the church. Because of the failure to share the gospel, the church grows stagnant and that makes it even more repulsive to the world. Stagnant water is smelly and germs and disease begin to grow.

One of the arguments of today is that this generation will not hear the gospel in a style that it was presented 40 or 50 years ago, and I agree wholeheartedly. The shouting, sweating, Bible-thumping days are gone—and thank the Lord they are! But the gospel is still as powerful today as it ever was. Has heaven shut off all the creativity? Are there no new ideas left? If there are no fresh ideas flowing, it’s because we have shut off the intake of fresh water!

The church of Acts was not a church of big events; it was primarily a church filled with people who made it their business to take the gospel to their neighbors. Paul did not go around the Mediterranean world holding big crusades. He went to an area, found a few people who responded to the message of Christ, taught them, formed a church, and moved on. Paul lovingly challenged Philemon with this as he also taught the early church.

“Lord, help us to shake off all timidity and fear. We do not want to live in the murky waters of recirculation. We want to be receiving from You and at the same time giving Your love and truth to those in need. Help us, Lord, to stay fresh in You!”