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REFLECTION

Generally, Paul’s letter to Philemon is about forgiveness and reconciliation. In this epistle, Paul who was then in prison wrote to encourage Philemon to forgive and reconcile with Onesimus, his slave who stole something precious from Philemon and escaped. Paul persuasively edged Philemon to accept Onesimus no longer as a slave but as a brother in Christ since he has become a believer and more useful to his master Philemon.

The theme for our reflection is “Radical love” Radical love means “Agape” love. It means selflessly and unconditionally caring for other people. This type of love is unmotivated by the possibility of reciprocation or reward. Its ultimate purpose is selflessness, compassion, understanding, and gratitude. Today’s theme ‘Radical love’ focuses on Philemon’s good works and love for his fellow believers in the church. Paul understands that it takes the grace and peace of God for Philemon to dedicate himself to the service of God and it takes the grace and peace of God to offer one’s self to endlessly serve God, thus he wrote to Philemon “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philemon 1:3).

It is becoming a great challenge in this materialistic, apathetic, morally deprived, chaotic and self-centred world to find good and dedicated Christians willing to sacrifice their resources and lives for the sake of other believers and the church’s growth. In today’s scripture reading, Paul offers a thanksgiving prayer to God for Philemon’s love for his fellow believers and his faith in Christ. Paul wrote to Philemon in Philemon 1:4-5 “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints”

As Christians, we must make it a habit to be thankful to God in prayer for the good people God has placed in our lives to support us. It is by the grace of God that someone will offer to pay your school fees free of charge. It is by the grace of God that we have people who dedicate their resources to ensure that our chapels are well-equipped with the needed logistics. In an era where most of our church members are not willing to serve because they failed to appreciate their calling and Christian stewardship; in an era where most people have become more inclined to lust for the flesh, it is by the grace of God that we have very few dedicated Christians who offer their time, financial and material resources to serve the church.

Indeed, some believers use their time and strength to clean up our church premises before worship service. These few Christians are a blessing to our generation and the church. We must spend time praying for them, encouraging them, and being thankful to God for these precious and priceless gifts of human resources. I am particularly thankful to God for the few dedicated members in my church. For the purpose of illustration, some of our selfless members ensures that our chapels and washrooms are always clean before worship service starts. They would sweep the compound, and the chapel and clean all the dust on the pews before other members of the congregation came to sit for worship service. They ensure that the washrooms are clean before the arrival of other church members. There are times they are genuinely tired and unwell but because of the radical love they have for God and humanity they will give no excuse, they will do their best. These people have been consistent in their service and stewardship and as leaders of the Church, we must be thankful to God always for such dedicated members and their radical love for the church.

Even as we continue to be thankful to God for the lives of those who serve God and the church diligently without any excuse whatsoever, we must always learn to encourage them through words of appreciation and commendation. Paul after his thanksgiving prayer for Philemon, encouraged him with the words in Philemon 1:7 “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” One of the reasons some church members and for that matter, some of the youth are not motivated to serve diligently is that instead of encouragement and appreciation, we find ourselves pointing accusatory fingers at them with endless criticisms. No one is perfect, we are all trying to follow the perfect examples of Christ, therefore, we must offer constructive criticisms and appreciate hardworking and dedicated church members for their contributions towards the development of the church.

In conclusion, we have discovered that it is a great sign of motivation to pray and be thankful to God for those who continue demonstrating radical love for God’s mission and people. May you be a Philemon in your church and generation, always being a source of hope, comfort and joy, and may your love continue to refresh all who come into contact with you. May the grace and peace of God continue to abide with you. Amen

PRAYER

ALIMIGTY GOD, INDEED MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN, WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE FEW WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO YOU AS A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO YOU. MAY YOU CONTINUE TO BESTOW YOUR GRACE ABUNDANTLY ON ALL WHO DILIGENTLY SERVE YOU THROUGH VARIOUS MINISTRIES IN THE CHURCH, FOR THROUGH THEM YOUR CHURCH IS REFRESHED. AMEN.