22/09/2022 - REMEMBER SOMEONE

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I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,    Philemon 1.4

One of the beautiful lessons we can learn from Paul – and from those who actually serve God – is in the way he addressed Philemon, a member of the Body of Christ, who converted under the apostle’s ministry and remained faithful. Nothing saddens a man of God more than to see people, for whom he has fought in prayer in order to win them to Jesus, act like the lost after a while. Remain vigilant!

Philemon was one of Paul’s joys, because his labor in the Lord was not in vain. The worsening in the faith of some is due to the vanity planted by the enemy in their hearts. The saved should never think of returning to the uncertainties of the past. Otherwise, the divine power will no longer work in them, and the evil one and his demons will act hastily again. The devil comes to kill, to steal, and to destroy (John 10.10). Do not leave the secret place (Psalm 91.1).

Paul must have known facts about Philemon’s life; after all, he was his pastor and this authorized him to write to him, so that he knew he had not forgotten him. Likewise, whoever is used to save and keep someone in the faith in Christ rejoices to discover his work bearing fruit, with so many people being born again. But if we hear bad things about these lives, it saddens us. Our joy is the victory of the saved!

While we are in the world, we have many tasks to fulfill, but no heavy yoke, rather, opportunities to overcome and prove that the Lord is good and does not withhold goods from those who seek Him (Psalm 84.11). Whatever your dilemma, go to Christ now and place everything before Him. No doubt, in Him there is the will to bless you, fulfilling even the desires of your heart.

Struggle and defeat do not last forever in the life of one who trusts in God. See, the Word says: For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed. (Isaiah 50.7). Instead of being terrified by any threat from the enemy, use your authority, and he will be terrified and flee from you (James 4.7). After all, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Believe!

When Paul remembered Philemon, he certainly remembered moments when the king of hell wanted to overcome that servant of the Most High in the beginning of his walk with Jesus. However, he believed in the apostle’s preaching and this brought him out of the crisis that was trying to take him away from a victorious life with Christ. Now he remembered to give the Lord true praise. The saved have already overcome the enemy; so, believe, pray, and live!

The apostle gave thanks to his one true God for the life of the one who used faith to resist the pressures of hell and became an example of someone who was truly born again. What can we say about you? Have you been living in faith in Christ or in the uncertainty of tomorrow? Never turn back, but march forward until the end towards victory!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares