SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2022 (LOVE, NOT OUT OF COMPLUSION / LOVE, FLOWING FROM GRACE )
TOPIC : LOVE, NOT OUT OF COMPLUSION / LOVE, FLOWING FROM GRACE
Opening Prayer: My dear heavenly Father, as I study your word, let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Scripture: Philemon 1‐14
Question(s) for Reflection• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?• Is there any promise for me to believe or hope for?
MESSAGE
Paul never forgets to identify the good things in other people and offers a word or two of commendation. See how he commended Philemon in v.5. Notice the effect of Philemon’s faith and work on Paul (v.7). The issue Paul sets himself to resolve is very delicate. The sentence a runaway slave faces, if his master so decides, is death. Read vs.8‐13 again and note the things Paul says first, about new Onesimus and then, about Philemon and his relationship with each of them.
Paul is carefully stating all these to pacify Philemon and to let him know that Onesimus’s life is transformed through his relationship with Christ and with Paul. The old man Paul could have given an order to Philemon (v.8) but he decides to avoid the temptation to use his seniority or power to secure his desire. He would rather that Philemon takes his own well thought out decision regarding his slave.
Practice/Word Application What Next? Think of the things you can do to show your love to the saints especially your Pastor and other itinerant Christian workers such as your Scripture Union Training Secretary.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer• Thank you, Father, that with you, no one is beyond redemption.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Numbers 23:8; Luke 13, 14; Romans 8; Psalms 120
