James 1:2-4

I really love this particular section.  Or rather, I appreciate this section since I haven't read the rest yet.  James wrote that he wanted his audience to "count it all joy when you call into various troubles."  In other words, the very things we are inclined to get frustrated, bitter, resentful, and angry about are actually supposed to bring words of praise to our lips.  

He explains why in the next verse.  The things that cause you to sin, or at least attempt to cause you to sin, is testing your faith.  Every single time you mess up or almost mess up, those are times that your faith is being pushed at.  It is okay though, it isn't for nothing.  Every mistake and temptation helps create in you patience.  

Patience can be defined as putting up with people trying to provoke you, dealing with annoying people or circumstances, getting through misfortune, dealing with delays, hardships, and delays, and so much more with a calm heart as well as not saying anything that could come across as complaining.

Complaining is a tricky thing.  You wouldn't believe how easy it is to complain.  Or maybe you do or am starting to with it being mentioned here.  Complaining can take several forms.  Commonly it is spoken in an obvious manner.  However it can also be seen in our actions and how we we treat items and people around us.  Being rude or giving someone the cold shoulder.  Slamming that pan or plate down instead of setting it down as you normally would.  Walking so that your feet hit the ground harder than normal.  These are all forms of complaining.  The most elusive form of complaining though is playing the martyr.  Saying something in what appears as a positive form, but brings for sympathy from others because it still focuses on your misfortune or assumed slight instead of focusing on God's love in your life.

Verse 4 explains how having patience helps your life.  I have to admit, when I read verse 4 I was stumped.  Thankfully, God leads.  To the best of my current understanding of this text, patience leads to a person being mature in their faith and relationship with God.  If you have God as a close friend, you need nothing else.  He will take care of you.

James 1:1

Verse 1 - James clearly identifies who he is.  Some argue over which James this James is.  Was he the silent, introverted disciple?  Was he the prominent Jewish leader in early Christian times before the other New Testament books were written?  Was he the brother of Jesus?  Though answering such questions gives the background more context and helps align our view when reading this book, I want to point out that James says exactly who he is.

"James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ."  Jame is a servant of the Lord.  Simple.  It is with that understanding that we are to read this letter.  That it is from one who serves God.  The rest of the verse has a traditional greeting of that time.  "To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings."  This traditional greeting was common among the Jewish people, so historians believe this book to have been written closer to when Jesus lived on earth compared the rest of the New Testament.  The phrase means, not to the literal twelve tribes, but really the other fellow believers no matter where they are.  So James was writing to basically everyone.  Not the Sadducees.  Not the Pharisees.  Not the Catholics, Baptists, or Seventh-day Adventists.  He was talking to all those who follow our Creator God.

Philemon 1:24,25

This is the closing of Paul's letter to Philemon.

He says that Epaphras, a fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, said hi.  Since Paul is in prison during this time, we can only assume he is not alone.  That another Christian whom Philemon knows is also in prison with Paul.

In greetings to Philemon, Paul also includes other believers' greetings that are Rome to Philemon and the local congregation.

I just want to point out that while this letter, talking about a very personal matter that has the possibility of a lot of tension, is addressed to Philemon.  It is also addressed to the believers who are meeting at Philemon's house.  Therefore Philemon, as a spiritual leader, is having this request to treat Onesimus kindly made public among all the believers.  In a way, Paul found a method of having Philemon held accounted for as a Christian believer and as a spiritual leader.

Philemon 1:21,22

So we had looked at how Paul had asked Philemon to accept Onesimus back out of friendship and freewill instead of just duty.

Verse 21 says that Paul is confident in the outcome of his request.  He knows that Philemon will gladly accept Onesimus back and not hold his betrayal at running away against him.  Also, we can suspect that the two of them will now worship the Lord together come Sabbath hours.  Possibly more will come out of this.  Paul certainly believes so when he says confidently that Philemon will do all this and more.

Verse 22 is an extension of that.  Knowing that Philemon will be so kind and generous, he also asks that while the two of them are getting along, to prepare for Paul's own return.  Paul plans to visit.  It isn't something that might easily happen but it is something Paul would like.  It is Paul's way of holding Philemon accountable.

Life

God is amazing at giving me what I want, then pointing out that it wasn't what I needed. The things that are truly important in life are things you work hard for, struggle for, and put a lot of yourself on the line for.

This includes taking the time multiple times a day to sit down and spend time with God. Your Creator. Your Lord. Your Savior. Sure "life" gets busy but it isn't really a life without Him.

~Mindy's post on facebook.

Philemon 1:20

"Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord."

This is a powerful request.  A powerful wish.  Placing it on top of Paul's caustic and ironic reply that he didn't want Philemon to feel obligated despite owing so much to Paul, we see yet another view point on Paul's part.  Paul feels a lot of responsibility for helping Onesimus come to Christ, as well as ensuing that he and his master get along.  He avoids saying that Philemon should be nice to him simply because he is a brother in Christ now.  He avoids only saying that as a Christian, Philemon should just accept what has happened and forgive.  Instead, Paul is pushing Philemon to freely do all this in order to bring happiness to Paul.  Not just because Philemon is a nice friend, but because Jesus is working in his life.

In our own lives, things happen and we often say, "oh I should be nice because I am a Christian" or "I should just turn the other cheek like the Bible tells me."  However, Paul is showing an example here of a friend asking for a favor as well as an example of allowing Jesus to work in us.  The actions might still be the same, but the reasons behind them are not.  It is not self-centered, but instead focuses actions towards the benefit of others because of Jesus' work in our hearts AND minds.

Philemon 1:17-19

Paul is asking that Philemon trust him.  To take back Onesimus as if he was Paul himself.  That is asking a lot and by comparing the two men as similar, forces Philemon to possibly see Onesimus in a new light.  Paul goes so far as to take onto himself anything that Onesimus maybe have done wrong.  Just as Christ took our sins, so Paul said to put onto his account anything that Onesimus might have wronged him in.  This is where Paul gets a bit caustic.  He says that he is writing this himself, that even though Philemon owes Paul his own life, that Paul will take on any expenses Philemon feels Onesimus owes and pay it back.  This is the ultimate guilt trip.

Philemon 1:14-16

Verse 14 - Paul's caustic use of language is what makes reading his rebuke or praise to others so enjoyable.  However in this verse, you can detect true caring mixed with his almost arrogant attitude.  He truly means what he says as always.  However, it is almost as if he is trying to explain himself here.  He sent Onesimus back, despite wanting him to stay, because he didn't want to cause any possible further offense than might have occurred already.

Verse 15 - Then in case Philemon is still upset, he adds that it might possibly have been God's will that his slave, Onesimus, had run away.  That he would return as more than a slave, but a Christian.  That for whatever reason, something had held him back from truly knowing and returning Christ's love.

I can understand that.  Being in an environment you grew up in or are really familiar and comfortable with can lead to complacency.  You are not willing to look further to learn and grow character-wise.  When I came to South Korea, I had all my ideas challenged.  I have the freedom now to do so much but am in a culture that unbalances me by default.  This is forcing me to learn and think for myself.  I believe God sent me away from the country, family, and friends I love to be out of my comfort zone.  All so that I could grow.  Now when I return, I will be a better person for those who miss me as well as for those I have yet to meet.