Today's Scripture
Philemon 1:16, NLT
He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me.
Today's Word
The apostle Paul was in a predicament. A slave named Onesimus had stolen from and run away from Philemon, and when he came to Paul, he gave his life to Christ. He had done something wrong, but he became a brother in the faith to both Paul and Philemon. Paul wrote a letter to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, asking Philemon to forgive him and receive him back as a brother rather than as a slave whom he had the legal right to send to prison. Would Philemon forgive him, or would he hold on to the hurt and anger?
Sooner or later someone who did you wrong is going to show up at your door. You could be bitter and angry. That's a test. Are you holding a grudge and feeling vindictive? Or have you grown, have you come up higher, have you gotten past all the hurt to where you can show them mercy, where you can even bless your enemies? This is God seeing if you're ready to go to a new level.
Sooner or later someone who did you wrong is going to show up at your door. You could be bitter and angry. That's a test. Are you holding a grudge and feeling vindictive? Or have you grown, have you come up higher, have you gotten past all the hurt to where you can show them mercy, where you can even bless your enemies? This is God seeing if you're ready to go to a new level.
Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for showing me Your mercy, Your kindness, and Your goodness over and over when I didn't begin to deserve it. Help me to have a heart that is free from being vindictive toward others who have done me wrong. Help me to pass the test and even bless my enemies. In Jesus' Name, Amen.