Good Things
I read this verse a couple of weeks ago and it stopped me and caused me to think a bit more deeply. My hope is that it does the same thing. Go ahead and give it a read.
If you are a follower of Jesus, we all know (we do) that we are called to live out our faith. You live it with your actions, with your words, and with your choices. You live it in your corporate setting when you are working out, or when you are hanging out with your neighbors. There is no way around it. Jesus’ followers share their faith regularly in a world that is increasingly dark.
But…did you know…that part of the reason why we share our faith is right here in Philemon? Yes, it’s how people know Jesus and follow Jesus through personal relationships. Yes, it is a command from Jesus directly in the gospels.
But did you know, that it’s also a reminder? A reminder of the good things we have in Christ. That is what Paul was sharing with Philemon. When I share my faith and live it out daily it reminds me of what I have in Christ.
So, here is the headspace that I went to and I want to invite you to go to as well. What are the good things you have in Christ? How about his grace? How about your past is gone in Christ? How about that no matter how much you mess it up, He loves you? How about his strength and wisdom if you simply ask for it?
Go ahead, think about it. Journal it out. Be specific. Make a list of the good things He has done and continues to do. It’s a really good reminder and encouragement in living.
Then there is one more question to ask. Am I living out my faith in such a way that I’m regularly reminded of the good things of God? If you want to, give yourself a score from 1-10. How are you doing?
It is an active faith that is key a remembering of the goodness of God. It’s a daily living out of the gospel that reminds me of how good God is. How? Because when I share my faith actively with those who don’t know Christ, it reminds me of who I was before Jesus and who I am now in Jesus. When I live out my faith in Jesus, it’s a great reminder of his grace, his love, and his change in my life. How powerful is that?
Steve
