On Sunday, our pastor (Darris Arnold) taught on the book of Philemon.  What a great little gem.  I had notes and underlines, so I’m sure I’ve read it before, but the teachings were not in my memory banks. 🙂  I am sure, from now on, they will be.

 

The verse that most caught my attention and that has mulled around in my wee brain has been verse 6.  Each time I read it, and read it in context, the more it speaks to me.  I talked to my pastor on Monday to see if my brain was right, and he helped me a bit, he also said that if you go to seven comentaries they will all have a bit of a take on the matter, so it’s not surprising that my thoughts are not cut and dry.  I thought I’d ramble on about it here for a bit this morning. 

 

Here is the text in the NASB, since it is the closest bible to my lap top at the moment. 🙂

 

Verse 4 – I think my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.  For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because of the hearts of the saints have been refreshed though you, brother. (end of verse 7)

 

In the NKJ vs 6 says, "that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you (us)  in Christ Jesus".

 

The KJV says "the communication of your faith".

 

Pastor, and the commentators, are saying fellowship is the more accurate word here.  Koin-o-neus (dont flame me for my greek spelling) 

 

We are to share, communicate, fellowship together – how else will we be able to acknoledge every good thing that is in us – not only our own selves, but in the whole group. 

 

When we share our stories, share what the Lord has done in us and through us, know who is predominently gifted in which areas – learn to use and grow those gifts, learn to serve – the sharing of our faith is effective.

 

I see the groups and churches who are bent at sharing the gospel, then the masses sit in the congregations, all saved, but all not communicating. Not sharing their lives.  In business, in the homes, in the schools, at the grocery stores.  We should all not be ashamed to give an honest answer when people say – whats up?

 

For me, sometimes I am embarrased to always have some little thought in my head that I’m chewing on.  I have been told by a few people that it isn’t right to always be talking about it.  I have been called some amazingly hurtful names this year by people I considered close friends.  I think, that is the reason this verse really struck me.  How else am I to effectively share my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior, if I do not also share what I am learning, what He is changing, how I am growing, what my family is going through and what He has done by and for and through us?

 

In December I had started a bible study in my home, and the attack that the roaring lion (1 peter 5) unleashed nearly broke all of my close friendships and almost broke my heart to non repair.  On Sunday, we sang from the hymn of a Psalm, of Create in Me a Clean Heart – the line, Restore unto me, the joy of thy salvation – seemed to linger in my mind.  A pledge and a cry from my heart for a clean heart, and the restore of the natural peaceful joy, not forced, not constantly prayed for, remembering, begging, just restored fully.

 

Yesterday, a person that I would consider to to ask for bible and prayer helps, asked me to lead her in a word study instructional type bible study class.  She said she was talking with a friend, who also wanted to ask me but felt embarrased. I said sure,  we could even include their teen children and teach them now to look up words and learn the hebrew and greek also.  It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us His word, not the books, the books are tools to help us understand their culture and their older word meanings, but only the Holy Spirit can translate what He wants us to learn about Him.  (side note, its snowing at my house on May 2nd poor little tulips and daffies) On the way home from agreeing to it, my mind searched my friends for who I would like in the training that I would trust to say, no, this is the wrong way, and I would learn from them.  But the Lord keeps reminding me in my heart that I am not doing anything untruthful, or decietful, or deceivingly to learn about His word, and my joy continues to increase.

 

I can see, with sprouted friendships, that with the rain, my desert is going to dissapear.  I have felt so isolated since December, and I can feel His loving arms come about me, and lead me out. 

 

Who would have thought, that in Philemon, a tiny tiny little chapter on forgiveness, restoration, and the sharing of our faith, my heart would be fully cleansed? 

 

Praise the Lord.