The Requirement of Grace (Philemon 25)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/20/2017 10:35 PM

My Worship Time                                                                      Focus: The Requirement of Grace

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Philemon 25

            Message of the verses:  “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

            I mentioned in our last SD on Philemon that this one was going to be very short as it only covers the last verse in Paul’s letter to Philemon, and it is kind of a typical ending to one of Paul’s letters.

            John MacArthur writes “By now Philemon was undoubtedly convicted of his need to forgive Onesimus.  In case he wondered where he would find the strength to do so, Paul adds these final words.  This familiar benediction is really a prayer that Philemon, his household, and the Colossian assembly would receive grace needed to forgive Onesimus.

            “Paul realizes that what he asks is not possible in the flesh, because the flesh seeks vengeance.  Nor is it possible through the law, because the law demands justice.  Although Philemon could not forgive Onesimus in his own strength, through ‘the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,’ working with his spirit, he could.  Paul’s prayer is that Philemon would have the same grace that allowed Christ to forgive.”

            I have to totally agree with what MacArthur writes here as we may be able to read what we are suppose to do in the Word of God, but the Spirit of God has to be the One who causes us to have the desire to do what He wants us to do.

7/20/2017 10:43 PM