For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Philemon 7 (ESV)
This is a tremendous testimony from Paul about the outworking of the Holy Spirit in the life of one man. A man that was known for his love and faith toward Jesus and all the saints. Paul is in prison and has only heard stories about the love and faith of Philemon. Here is a man whose reputation preceded him and his godly character went before him. His character and reputation was such that even though Paul had never met him in person, he felt as though he knew him through the testimonies of those who had been refreshed by Philemon. It’s a lovely picture of love and faith. A picture that needs to be not only admired and commended, but replicated in our own hearts.
Philemon loved the Lord Jesus. This is always the essential key to a life of faith. All the blessings of faith flow in and through us in the love of Christ. My first priority in everything should be a deep and passionate love for Jesus himself. I’m not talking about a life of pursuing knowledge about Jesus and spiritual things. This is not a love for studying the Word of God. The love being talked about here takes the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the Word of God and allows it to penetrate my heart. How does this happen?
It happens by putting into practice the wisdom of Jesus. Jesus had knowledge. He had supernatural knowledge and understanding. This informed his daily life and walk. Although he knew everything, he put it into practice. He worked out his faith as he spent deep, intimate time alone with the Father. He worked out his faith as he interacted with the people that came into his life. Jesus took the truths of the Word and put them into practice. He lived them out in daily life.
This is the commendation of Philemon as well. His love and faith toward Jesus informed his love toward others. You see this as Paul specifically prays for his faithful witness and the sharing of his faith. Philemon was taking his inner spiritual life and sharing it with those around him. His heart ached for others to know Christ as intimately as he himself did.
Yet, the focus of Paul’s prayer comes at the end, when Paul reveals that he has much joy from hearing how the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through the life of Philemon. This is the real challenge for me. This is what I desire to be known for in my life. What a testimony it would be if others spoke about my character by how much joy they received from being around me. To be known as a man that refreshed the hearts of the saints would be an ideal witness. Not because I am seeking applause or commendation from others, but simply because it means that Jesus has been working in and through me for his glory.
Love God, Love People. As I am loving Jesus with all my heart, the natural outworking should be a deep heartfelt love for others. A love that brings refreshment to the heart of the person. A love that takes every encounter I have with a person and allows them to walk away with a refreshed heart that is drawn closer to Jesus. A life where I disappear into the background and Jesus shines forth in my every action.
Lord Jesus. Change me to be more like this every day.