My God and My Country

Word of God

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God

Matthew 4:4

Asked in Love

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon 1:8-9

8 Wherefore, though I be very bold in Christ to command thee that which is convenient, 9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and even now a prisoner for Jesus Christ.

Brethren:

Paul, an elder and more importantly, an apostle in the early Christian church had all authority to command that Philemon, accept the newly repented slave back into his fold. But yet, even with such authority, he asks instead in love, and that said acceptance be likewise so done. For what would it have gained any of the parties involved to have been forced into an arrangement in which none of them would have been satisfied? No doubt smoldering resentment would have ensued, that would have eventually lead to anger and wrath.

“Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ Or use much freedom of speech in the name of Christ, as an ambassador of his, and great authority as his apostle, which was given him for edification. to enjoin thee that which is convenient; which became him as a believer in Christ, and a minister of the Gospel; which was his duty, and was obligatory upon him, agreeable to the doctrines of Christ; who taught men to love their enemies, to be reconciled to their brethren, that had offended them, especially when they repented; and therefore it was fit and proper that he should receive his servant again, since God had called him by his grace, and given him repentance for his sins: upon this foot the apostle could have commanded him, as he did in other cases, but he chose not to address him in an authoritative way, but by way of entreaty.” - John Gill