Sonshine's Journal

One man runs away and is found by Paul the Apostle and in turn follows Christ. The price is heavy for this man was now marked as a runaway slave punishable by death. Yet in the time this man becomes famous not for his life but for the owner who could have destroyed him and make him a public message for anyone else who seeks freedom from the shackles of the chain and the horror of death. Yet, Paul in his mastery of love for others, teaches this slave about the love of Christ and in so doing so he becomes the slave of Christ not of Philemon. But the story does not end there for Philemon receives his slave back accompanied by a letter from Paul. Paul’s love for Philemon crosses continents and water to touch his heart. He not only receives the letter but the runaway slave and his life is forever changed and we are as well.

There is a verse in Proverbs 15 that summarizes it all: He who regards reproof is prudent. Both Philemon and the runaway slave now we know as Onesimus has become not just legend but proof that God’s love is greater than any lesson we could find for it mirrors the love of Jesus for mankind. 

After several months at sea and on the island of Malta where Paul was tested, he finally arrived in Rome. Here for 2 yrs Paul attempted to convince Jews about the sovereignty of Christ but alas few believed. Unless the Holy Spirit quickens the heart, men will not believe no matter what evidence you produce. As it was in Paul’s day it is true today. ‘“The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah when he said, Go to this people and say, You will keep on hearing, but will never understand, and you will keep on looking, but will never perceive. For the heart of this people has become dull,

What makes a heart dull? “The charge from Isaiah is like Stephen’s against the Jews of Jerusalem (Acts 7:51-53). They were a hard-hearted and disobedient people.” Their hearts were insensitive as it is today. Why is this true? It is because the god of this world has blinded the minds so that they cannot see the glory of the Christ. [2 Cor 4:4] 

Precious reader, as you ponder this and wonder, stop and consider the power of the “god of this world.” Yet also consider this; what is impossible with man is possible with God and He can open the eyes and soften the heart. Keep on witnessing about God just as Paul did for two whole years as a prisoner. 

The religious leaders in Jerusalem were overconfident that their case against Paul would finally end his career. As they had done with Jesus, they hired witnesses to testify falsely about him. This chapter proves the truth of what Jesus told the disciples: Luk 21:12 But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. Paul is now living this in real time. How would you handle this in your life? Would you be strong enough to stand before rulers to defend your life and your belief in Jesus as the Christ?

As Paul stood before Felix and heard the accusations brought by the attorney Tertullus, he remained firm in his defense of the truth behind their charges of insurrection. Finally, Festus permitted Paul to speak. Paul graciously refuted their argument, which left Festus in a dilemma. What will happen next? Stay tuned.

How about you? Paul was in chains, and perhaps that may happen to believers worldwide in the days to come. Are we confident in our Savior to stand firm, or will we cave to their threats?  

Paul is winding down his treatise to Rome regarding the inclusion of the Gentiles. He supported those who were not of the circumcised but believed by faith.Paul is teaching us a principle: whether Jew or Gentile, if one is weak, we are to support them in any way that will bring glory to God. Is there a neighbor or a church member who is weak in their walk or talk or ideas they have? Who are you to judge them? Instead, you are to meet their needs like Jesus would. 

Jesus responded in another place that He honored those who fed him or helped them with their belief. When they asked when did we see you hungry or thirsty, He responded as you have done it for the least of these, you have done it for Me. 

Christmas is a time to not be a Scrooge but be a Barnabas who sold his land and gave the proceeds to the church. Who is in your sphere of influence that you can minister to in some practical way? 

God plainly has said and He is trustworthy: I will not abandon My children. Paul now includes the prayer of Elijah: he pleaded with God about Israel but then Elijah goes on about how he is the only prophet left. Listen carefully to God’s answer:  “I have kept for myself 7,000 people who have not bent the knee to Baal,”[vs 4] 

Why is this an important statement? Do you ever feel like you are the only Christian in your family, in your neighborhood? God is saying, you may not know the ones I have chosen, but I know and I have sealed them with the Holy Spirit. One day we will be amazed to stand in heaven and see many who we did not know were believers but God knew! Even now God knows and He will reveal them. 

 Today rather than bemoaning that you, like Elijah, feel no one but you are a believer, trust that God knows and one day they will be revealed. 

Paul continues to share the truth of the Christ and His work in one who believes. “Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you.”  So therefore, blessed believer you are alive even now and only one step will complete it, that when you pass from this earth you will be given that heavenly body so you can stand before the throne of God. Will this be your promise? Will you be able to stand before Him who sits on the throne? Are you alive or dead in your sins? 

Pray this prayer: Father, I know I am a sinner by nature and I need that life giving power this day. Cleanse me and make me holy so I can live right now in Jesus! 

Paul is very clear about salvation as he writes his treatise to the Romans: “But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness. So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:”[Rom 4:5] Note: apart from works!

Today there are several on my heart today who live by this philosophy: “ I think I have done every thing I need to do.” Listen carefully to that statement: “I” have done, and “I need to do.” That is the works thinking and it is false. It is not what you have done but what Christ has done for you.  Paul is very clear that it is by faith, not by works. Works are the evidence that you have believed by faith, they are not the way of salvation. 

How clearly the scriptures say that the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving. [2 Cor 4:4] Listen carefully to those who say “they have done all they need to do.” Ask them: What do they think they have done? Where is faith in that equation? 

Paul speaks to the Corinthians to not grieve for those who have passed from this life for if this occurs, we can trust that we now have a home that is heavenly and we are present with the Lord. Blessed are those who read these words: “For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in,is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens.” Today as you ponder the passing of a loved one or a blessed friend, hang onto these words and be comforted. 

Last night a precious sister in the Lord left her earthly body and is now standing before the Lord she so loved. She leaves behind five beautiful daughters who love the Lord as well. May they be comforted by this passage Paul wrote and now we read. 

If you have experienced this, memorize this passage to share with the grieving. And may you be comforted to know your loved one may no longer be here in this earthly body but now is clothed with a heavenly robe as they see now with heavenly eyes the Savior they have loved. Praise God for this chapter. 

It seems that Paul, in speaking to the Corinthian church, revealed the truth of the resurrection of Christ. Clearly, the church needed this piece of evidence to fully believe. Thus, he wrote to them “3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.” Continuing on in his evidence, Paul then presented those who witnessed his resurrected body and that He was truly resurrected. 

Some years ago Josh McDowell entitled his book “Evidence Demands a Verdict” to answer these very questions. It seems that today this same faulty argument has surfaced and so 1Cor 15 is key to our witnessing because we have many who deny not only the resurrection but also that Jesus is not in the grave but is alive. 

Are you prepared to give evidence of the resurrection of Christ? Study this chapter and hold it close to your heart. “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,” but he rose from the dead on the 3rd day and that is the truth and it needs to be rehearsed over and over. 

Paul speaks to the Corinthians about their new life in Christ which is summed up in this verse: “Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Three steps in the new life in Christ. First is the washing of your sins away by the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Second is the sanctification by the Holy Spirit which means “to separate from profane things and dedicated to God., which is an ongoing process.” Thirdly now that you are washed and in the process of sanctification, you are justified which means you are prepared declared righteous to meet the Lord either now or in the life to come. 

Which step are you on? Where are you in your spiritual walk? To have completed all three you are now declared a saint of God, declared righteous.