[ a forceful faith? ]

In reading Philemon this morning, I was caught in verses 8-9, where Paul says “Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.”  

This moved me that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we not only have the responsibility to hold one another accountable [as we know], but we actually have the authority to command one another in Him.  Paul chooses not to do so.  Though this boy’s [Onesimus's] life was on the line, Paul simply was trusting his brother in Christ[Philemon] to do what was right.  Ordering him to take care of Onesimus would have been the safe bet, but Paul deemed it worthy to trust, with no worries. 

Too often I find myself not being able to just trust someone at their word.  I become Thomas, and I have to see and touch the evidence that I won’t be let down.  Sure, I can blame it on all the times people had let me down in the past, but the mistakes of others shouldn’t interfere with the trust I have in my siblings.  Paul didn’t let that happen.  In fact, he was writing from prison, and would have more reason than any of us to distrust or resent others.  Rather, his faith didn’t change, and his trust in people didn’t falter.  

Another lesson in this story is the fact that Paul chooses NOT to order his siblings around with the authority of God.  As Christians, sometimes we think we’re doing what’s best for one another or helping someone out, when in reality, we’re just bossing one another around ‘in Jesus’s name.’  If you’ve ever seen the movie Shakespeare In Love, there’s a scene toward the end with Judy Dench [M in the James Bond movies] playing the Queen of England.  She’s hidden in the crowd at the playhouse, watching as a nobleman prances onto the stage, making demands and ordering people around “in the name of her royal highness, the queen.”  She then stands and says “Mr. [whomever], have a care with my name or you’ll wear it out.”  Isn’t that what we do to God?  We say that our lives are His, and that we do all things in His name…but think of all the other undesirable things people catch us doing, still under the heading of our King’s servant.  When we turn up our noses at the things others do, thinking that we’re helping someone by ordering what [we think] God would have them do.   What a shame, the times we do that instead of trusting them to listen to quiet rebuke, in love, and taking it upon themselves [in cooperation with the Holy Spirit] to do the right thing.  Sometimes doing things “in Jesus’s name” isn’t a great thing…..especially if we’re doing things He certainly wouldn’t want his sacred label attached to.  I keep reminding myself to think about that…in particular, when I’m doing something I know is wrong.   You’re whole life is now “In Jesus Name.”  Don’t attach a dingy appeal to a spotless name.