LOVE’S APPEAL
Philemon 8-9 NKJV
8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—
The letter of Paul to Philemon is only one chapter. This letter is about a runaway slave, Onesimus, who once belonged to Philemon. This slave was led to the Lord by Paul, and he wrote to Philemon to receive Onesimus back without penalty. Paul had a relationship with Philemon and may have been instrumental in his coming to Christ.
In our verses for today, we see the difference between an action Paul could have taken but chose a different approach. Paul said he could have been bold in Christ to command Philemon to do what was fitting. The New American Standard version says that Paul had “enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper.” Paul was saying that he had enough confidence in his authority in Christ to order and command. There is a sense here of Paul having such a place in Philemon’s life that he would not have been out of line ordering Philemon to take Onesimus back. Paul’s next words are telling.
Paul said that for love’s sake, he appealed to Philemon. He had the right to command and order, but because of love, he was willing to forego that right and instead make an appeal. Having the right does not mean that the right must be exercised. Love is the determining factor, and love does not demand. For God so loved the world that He gave. God had the right as Creator to command mankind to believe. But for love’s sake, God makes an appeal to man to receive Christ as Lord.
This appeal of love seems to be the way Paul operated on a regular basis. He made sure he was never a burden to the churches. He could have made demands as an apostle, but instead, he worked and supported himself and did not take advantage of his authority in Christ.
APPLICATION
A great question to ask ourselves is, what would love do? There will be times when we are within our rights to make demands, but what does love say about it?
When the church first started at our location at the old Conroe roller rink, parking was a problem. I could have parked in the front in a reserved spot as the senior pastor, but I chose to park farther away. It was a love choice. But I am no hero. Since we moved to our current facility in 2005, I have a reserved spot up closer to the door. But when the parking was very limited, I made love’s choice. I still love the church, but we have plenty of parking today.
The point is that we will all have chances in life to demand our rights. Sometimes, we will need to work within those rights. But it’s still a good question we must answer for our own conscience - what would love do? There will be times that love takes the high road, doesn’t defend itself, gives up a right. There will be those times we will say, I could, but for love’s sake.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me the wisdom to know when to take love’s road instead of acting on my rights and privileges.