Loving the Right Way

In the book of Philemon, Paul ministers to Onesimus who is on the run after stealing from his master. Paul shows him the Grace of Christ and has adopted him spiritually, calling him his son. He has a vested interest in Onesimus’ success in his walk with Christ. He has a vested interest in the change Onesimus has made in the way he lives his life. Eventually Paul writes a letter to Philemon telling him of the changes that Onesimus has undergone and lets him know that he is sending Onesimus back to his household in hopes that Philemon will receive back in as a favor to Paul. Paul tells Philemon in verse twelve that he is sending his “very heart.” That vested interest that Paul has in Onesimus’s life isn’t merely a concern for him, but it is a true love. Much like an earthly parent would have for their child, Paul felt love for Onesimus.

True discipleship manifests itself in the form of love. A true disciple of Christ will love the people the way Christ loved them and will desire to serve them the way He did. He will love the sinner into repentance and desire to see him free of the bondage that trips him up and enter into an eternal reconciliation to God. We are called to love the sinner not just out of their sin but into a relationship with Christ. We are called to love them into their own discipleship walk. Christ never held a person’s sin over their head when He asked them to do something. He didn’t get them to serve through their guilt. He got them to serve and to walk with Him because they loved Him. He loved them in their sin and loved them out of it. Then He loved them through their development into disciples.

When we see a new convert, do we see their sin or do we see the new creatures they have become? Do we see things that God has forgotten? Or do we love like He did and still does? If we don’t we should.

Father I pray that You would help me to love the way you me. Let me see your people and the people who need You the way You do. Amen.