@TrevinWax You are so right, Trevin. This was also true of Paul. You can hear it in virtually every letter but it is especially noteworthy (to me) in Philemon because of the context. “for I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother...” “yet for love’s sake...”
@BethMooreLPM Beth, what’s fascinating is how common this was a hundred and two hundred years ago. Read Teddy Roosevelt and other historical men’s letters to each other and they are effusive in affection. Philia- the strong and powerful love of friendship- is important.
No greater challenge exists in the human experience than accepting the reality that some things don’t fix. It may well be that, when all is said and done and our life stories are penned to their final paragraph, the thickest part of the plot was what we did with what was broken.
Ask Jesus –I don’t mean just once, I mean over & over– to give you a heart to love Him more than anything in this world. HE is what makes what we need to-but don’t want to-surrender worth it. HE is what will enable us to endure. HE is why you won’t quit. HE’s why you’ll forgive.
What makes the Christian way of life - the real, live crucified life where you are called to love those who hate you and to refuse to bow to those who could ruin you - what makes that life work and worth it is JESUS. That’s it. He’s all Christianity has going for it.
HE is why you’ll come back around after you’ve been hurt & risk loving people again. HE��s what will cause you to value your own life when you’re sorely tempted to end it. Your commitment to Christianity will not carry you, satisfy or sanctify you. It will not keep you out of sin.
@BethMooreLPM The journey I’m on is brutal, grueling, undeserving & completely unfair & yet it’s my journey! Surrender is the only way out! TY 😭🙌🏼