Philemon

The word koinonia is one of the key ideas in this short book written by Paul to a Roman citizen named Philemon that he led to Christ. The purpose of the letter was to encourage Philemon to welcome back a former slave (Onesimus) who had wronged Philemon in some way. Onesimus has run away and ended up with Paul where he came to faith in Christ too.

Paul spends time in this short letter talking about the importance of koinonia…or fellowship/partnership in the Gospel of Jesus. Paul is telling Philemon that because of our new life in Christ, we are all partners – no longer slave and free.

I love this little book. It’s such a good example to us of how we are made new because of Christ. Because of Jesus there is no longer slave or free. There is no Jew or Gentile. We are all partners in Christ in the same Kingdom of God.

“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.”

– Philemon 17-18

What better example do we have of Christ-like love, fellowship in the Gospel (Koinonia) than this. May we live more like this with those around us. Who in your community do you need to see as your partner in the Gospel and not as lesser in some way because of social or economical differences.

Titus 2 & 3

We live in a lost world. A world that is separated from God because of sin. If you’ve known Christ as Savior and Lord for some time, it might be easy to forget what it’s like to be lost. But it’s important to remember. It’s important to never forget what it was like when you didn’t know Him. There are countless people around you that need to know the hope that you have. They need you to share the Good News of Jesus.

Paul is encouraging Titus to do just that here in chapter three:

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” – Titus‬ ‭3:1-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Titus 1

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” – Titus‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If Paul was writing your family or your church a letter, what would he say? Would he encourage you for being bold in your witness or faithful in your love for others? Or, would he have to write a letter to reprimand you for you lack of faith and godlessness.

Paul is writing this letter to Titus to give him authority to go to the church at Crete to get rid of the church leaders there and then put new leadership in place. The church leadership was corrupt and needed changing.

May it never be said of us that, “we claim to know God, but by our actions we deny him.” Help us Lord to be faithful to you always. In our words and in our actions.

Tomorrow as we get into the last two chapters of the letter we will see Paul’s missionary strategy unfold. He wants the leadership changed in the house churches at Crete because he sees Crete as a wonderful place to launch out around that region with the Gospel. He has hope that if the church there can live in the culture – but be different – that they can in fact make a difference for Christ in a very corrupt world. That’s a good word for us today too. Check back tomorrow as we read Titus 2 & 3.