Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Beloved (Philemon vv. 1-3)

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Philemon vv. 1-3, NKJV)

I wrote a few days ago about what a blessing it is to be part of the family of God. We have an immediate affinity with our brothers and sisters, and we share a sincere love for one another.

I love how Paul opens his letters, but I especially love his greeting at the beginning of the tiny book of Philemon. He mentions three special brothers by name and then greets a specific house church.

The clear and evident love Paul displays should be an example to all of us. Do we greet one another with love? Do we pray for God’s grace and peace to flow over our brothers and sisters? Do we pray for them at all?

I encourage all of us—myself included—to regularly pray for each other. Let’s greet each other with the genuine love Paul had for his brothers and sisters.

And so, my beloved, I echo Paul’s words that God’s grace and peace will abundantly cover you this day.

No comments: