SPIRITUAL
DIARY FOR 11-28-02
My
Worship Time Focus: I will repay you
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: Philemon 19
Message of the verse: “19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own
hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own
self as well).” (NAS95) “I, Paul, write this in my own
handwriting: ‘I will repay it.’ And I won’t mention that you owe me your very
soul!” (NLT)
There
is some speculation as to whether Paul wrote this whole letter in his own
handwriting or whether just this portion of it.
The NLT must believe that it was only the small portion saying, “I will
repay it.” I do not think that is the
most important thing that can be learned by this letter. Paul was not in anyway acting in a not so serious
manner in this verse where he writes that he will repay Philemon for anything
that is owed to him by Onesimus. Paul
worked as a tent maker so that he would not be a burden to the churches that he
ministered to and other churches gave him money for the cause of Christ, so he
could have paid Philemon if he insisted.
As far as Paul mentioning to Philemon that he owed Paul his very soul, I
believe that he is surely speaking about the fact that Paul led Philemon to the
Lord.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: This verse teaches me that that I am to be
honest in dealing with hard things because they are the right things to
do. Paul was very honest with Philemon
and wanted him to do the right thing in this instance for the glory of the
Lord.
The
Word of God was convicting to me today.
My
Steps of Faith For Today: I want to be able to enjoy this wonderful holiday
today in a way that will be pleasing to the Lord.
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