[The Epistle of Philemon] Risks of Faith and LoveSample

The Character of Love

Paul tells Philemon that he can activate the faith he shares with others by experiencing every good thing that is in him in Christ. Paul started with love and faith. He continued with faith and now, once again, with love: "For we have great joy and consolation in your love because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother."

Paul is writing from prison. When Paul says "we," he is talking about those who are in prison with him.

The word for consolation can also be translated as encouragement. Paul is telling Philemon that his love caused encouragement and joy. Imagine what it would be like if the people in the town where you live were saying, "Those Christians are neat people. They love each other!" That is what is happening here. The brothers and sisters were encouraged because of Philemon's love for others.

The hearts of the saints had been refreshed! The word Paul used for hearts could also be translated as the bowels or guts, believed to be the seat of the emotions in Paul's time. He is saying here that, "We experience this joy and encouragement to the very depths of our being."

The word he uses for refreshed is the same word Jesus used when He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Paul is telling Philemon that because of his deep faith in Christ and love for the saints, he has given them rest.

Do you realize that as a believer in Jesus Christ, you have the privilege of refreshing others? You can give rest to another person in Christ. Do you need refreshment? A little rest? A little encouragement? A little joy? Do you know where all that comes from? From each other.

Do you ever think of yourself as a refreshment? We are the refreshment of Christ one to another because of our love for one another. It is a love that comes from a deep faith in Christ activated by experiencing the good things in Christ.

Lord, let our brothers and sisters in Christ feel refreshed when they meet us. Please, help us to be deeply pursuing Christ so that the outpouring of our faith is that we love each other.