The letter to Titus (Part 13)

Dealing with a divisive person can be quite a hurdle. Such people are usually bent on causing confusion wherever they go. They spread rumors, gossip and orchestrate stories that spike up arguments and strife. When a divisive person meets person A, they have a different story to share. Similarly, whatever person A says can be distorted in a reported speech to persons B and C. As the circle goes on, a divisive person succeeds in creating enmity and strife among friends and family. Although it might sometimes be easy to identify a divisive person, it is not always the case. Be on the lookout so you do not become a prey to their tactics. Christians have been called as peacemakers on earth. Never kowtow to any act that leads to division and confusion.

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.  You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned. (‭Titus 3:10-11)

As Paul was about to conclude his apostolic letter to Titus, he made a very profound statement: “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.  You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” (‭Titus 3:10-11). Paul understood that in the church could be men and women with the ultimate goal to cause conflict and division within the body of Christ. Paul’s advice to Titus was that such persons should be warned at least twice and if they fail to listen, Titus should have nothing to do with them. In other words, Titus shouldn’t patronize divisive people if they fail to change their ways. The church stands the risk of being despised by the world if we are riddled with division and confusion.

As Paul advised Titus to stay away from divisive people, so must we purpose to be agents of peace. We should learn how to avoid conflict and division in the house of God. As an agent of transformation, the church should be a place where lives are transformed by the word of God. As we are transformed and renewed, we should also be intentional to avoid instances that cause division in order to avoid self-condemnation. The church of God is a place where broken lives are mended. Believers have the mandate to share God’s love with a broken society.  Let’s consider ways we can become agents of peace.

The letter to Philemon (Part 4)

Onesimus, the slave of Philemon, was the center of Paul’s appeal to Philemon. After running away from Philemon and going to Rome, Onesimus encountered Jesus through the apostle Paul. The runaway slave became a changed person whose transformation was quite visible. Instead of keeping Onesimus with him in Rome, Paul decided that the right thing to do was to restore Onesimus back to Philemon. Paul’s letter to Philemon was therefore an attempt to restore the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus, and also to explain to Philemon how Onesimus has been transformed and is now useful in the kingdom and in assisting Philemon. One of the formidable leaders of the church in Colossae was Philemon and he even hosted a cell group in his house. Paul, being aware of all this background information crafted his letter to be able to convey the message of restoration and forgiveness.

I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favour you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. ‭(Philemon 1:12-14)

After the conversion of Onesimus, he became a help to Paul, assisting him with his basic needs. Remember Paul himself was a prisoner for the gospel and he needed all the help possible to be able to get his needs met. Yet, Paul released Onesimus to return to Philemon rather than keeping Onesimus to attend to Paul’s own needs. In his letter, Paul wrote that. “I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favour you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.”‭(Philemon 1:12-14). In releasing Onesimus and sending him back to Philemon,  Paul demonstrated godly principles in restoration. He knew that the only way to reconcile the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus was to have Onesimus return to his former role. Onesimus, while in Rome, became a special person to Paul. He was so helpful that Paul referred to him as the one “who is my very heart”. Paul mentioned the fact that although he would have loved to keep Onesimus so that he could receive all the help from Onesimus, Paul was also careful not to do anything without the consent of Philemon.

Restoration, the act of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition was clearly demonstrated by Paul. He does not only plead for Onesimus, he makes the effort to return Onesimus back to Philemon. Many people preach restoration but do not practice it in reality. When we genuinely encounter Jesus, like Zaccheaus (Luke 19: 1-10), we should be willing to give back to others what we have wrongfully taken from them. If you owe a brother or a sister, true repentance and restoration is to pay back what you owe. Unless they genuinely cancel all your debts, never take their kindness to be their weakness. This week, ponder over these things and consider those little things you have to restore. Don’t miss the opportunity to make peace. If you are Philemon, when those who have treated you wrongfully genuinely want restoration, don’t drive them away. Even if they cannot take their former position, make peace with them and liberate yourself from the pain they have caused you.

The letter to Philemon (Part 3)

In Paul’s letter to Philemon, Paul reveals that his prayer for Philemon is that the partnership with the saints in the faith may be effective in deepening Philemon’s understanding of every good thing they share for the sake of Christ (Philemon 1:6). Thus, although Paul recommends Philemon in the introductory part of his letter, Paul also reveals that there is more room for Philemon to grow in his knowledge of Jesus Christ. However, Philemon’s love for the church  gives Paul great joy and encouragement, because Philemon refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people (Philemon 1:7). One will say that Philemon was that brother who had a contagious love for the people of God. He would have sacrificed a lot to ensure the growth of the church. It was after Paul’s words of praise and encouragement that delve into the main focus of his letter: an appeal for Onesimus.

that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. (‭Philemon 1:10-11)

Onesimus was the slave of Philemon. However, Onesimus ran away which was against the rules binding him to his master. It is also possible to postulate that in his flight, Onesimus might have taken some things that belong to Philemon. Remember,  as a slave, Onesimus didn’t have what it takes to make the long journey from Colossae to Rome. So, Onesimus the runaway slave met Paul in Rome. One way or another, Onesimus converted to become a believer in Rome. Paul, a man of peace, might have spoken with Onesimus and after knowing the background of Onesimus, Paul decided to restore Onesimus to his master. Paul, being aware of the consequences of dealing with a runaway slave, began his appeal on the basis of love. In Philemon 1:8-9, the apostle Paul wrote that, “Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.” Paul didn’t use spiritual and mentoring authority over Philemon to force him to accept Onesimus. Rather, Paul made an appeal: “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.” (‭Philemon 1:10-11).

Was Onesimus useless to Philemon? Paul’s appeal revealed that as a runaway slave, Onesimus was of no use to Philemon. Surprisingly, the Greek definition for Onesimus is “useful”. Yet, when Onesimus left his master, there was no use for him. However, when Onesimus encountered Paul in Rome, the reverse happened. He became useful not just as a helper to Paul but also as a brother in Christ. Paul’s appeal was for Philemon to first accept Onesimus as a useful person and also as a changed person. Onesimus, remorseful of his attitude towards his master, was ready to return to Colossae as a slave of Philemon. It was now the turn of Philemon to accept his slave back to his home. There are many types of ‘Onesimuses’ in our world. men and women who succeed in hurting the people God sent to help them rise. Instead of being helpful to their helpers, ‘Onesimuses’ become useless time wasters who waste all the investments done in their lives. Whether you fall in the place of Philemon or Onesimus, remember that second chances are not always promised. However, when God allows you the opportunity to start over again, let your transformation impact the world.

The letter to Philemon (Part 2)

Some of the distinctive features that should be synonymous to all believers is love for God’s people, faith in the Lord Jesus, intercession for one another among many others. Believers have the perfect model when it comes to loving one another. We have freely received the love of God. Our transgressions, which were many, were all forgiven because of God’s love. Therefore, being agents of love, should be something the church encourages all believers to aspire for.  Further, you cannot claim to love the Lord Jesus if you do not have faith in Him. Thus, being a believer implies that you have placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith is visible in your way of life and extends to the people who are in your life. To add to these, because of the love we have for one another and our faith in God, it should be easy for us to pray for one another.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. ‭(Philemon 1:4-5)

In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he mentioned that he always thanked  God as he remembered Philemon in his prayers. Paul does this because he heard about Philemon’s love for all God’s holy people and his faith in the Lord Jesus (Philemon 1:4-5).  Philemon seemed to be the kind of believer who was worthy to learn from. He loved the church and the people in the church. His faith in the Lord Jesus would have been so obvious as he even opened his house to host the church services. He is more likely to have contributed to both the  spiritual and logistical development of the church. His family would have been an active part of the church. Yet, in all his godliness and goodness, his slave decided to run away from him. As the letter does not indicate the time frame at which Onesimus, the slave of Philemon took off, we cannot postulate that Onesimus encountered Jesus in the house of Philemon. The departure of Onesimus might have caused Philemon pain. In those days, slaves were owned by their masters as possessions. They could only leave under certain conditions. Yet, Onesimus left without a trace.

Being a godly and kind person doesn’t mean you are free from being hurt by the people around you. There is a possibility that  those you love and care for, including family members,  friends,  employees and neighbours could hurt you when you least expect it. However, we also need to understand we do many of the things we do because we are compelled by the love of Christ. You can be a modern day Philemon who has sacrificed so much but receives no reward. Do not lose heart. God is still working for your good.

The letter to Philemon

The apostle Paul (also known as Saul) wrote the greater part of the New Testament Bible. His Letters were addressed to churches, communities, individuals, among many others. One individual recipient of Paul’s letter is a man named Philemon. This letter was an appeal letter written to ask Philemon to consider forgiving his runaway slave. Paul wrote this letter out of love for the Master and the slave, who were both believers. In this short introduction, we shall  consider a few lessons from this letter and how we can apply these lessons in managing conflicts within and outside the church.

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker (‭Philemon 1:1)

Who was Philemon? He was a wealthy Colossian who was also a believer. Philemon also hosted the church in his home and that accounts for why Paul’s letter addressed the church that meets in Philemon’s home (Philemon 1:2). Philemon seemed to have worked together with a woman named Apphia and another man called Archippus (Philemon1:2). Thus, working as a team wasn’t new to Philemon. In his letter, Paul addressed Philemon as “our dear friend and fellow worker” (‭Philemon 1:1). Paul on the other hand was still serving a prison term in Rome as at the time he wrote this letter. The apostle Paul, who was in chains for the gospel, didn’t relent in interceding for another person who had become a family in Rome.

In this short letter from Paul, we are reminded of the need to make room for each other and how to restore relationships within the church. It is obvious that Paul’s appeal was accepted by Philemon. In subsequent posts, we shall consider the details of the appeal and Paul’s advice to Philemon. We need to understand that irrespective of our spiritual maturity, there would always be the need to resolve issues within the church. Be always willing and ready to be an agent of peace.

A divine encounter (Part 5)

In sharing the parables concerning the lost (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son), Jesus revealed the state of the Father’s heart when a sinner repents and returns to the Lord. In Luke 15:7, Jesus sharing the parable of the lost sheep mentioned that, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Similarly, Luke 15:10 states that “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” In the parable of the lost son, Jesus revealed that the turning point was when the son made up his mind to return to the father. The son got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (‭Luke 15:20). Our Father in heaven’s desire is that none should perish. However,  humanity, operating with our free will, constantly turns away from Him and becomes an enemy of God. In the case of Saul in the book of Acts, his opposition to God was fueled by ignorance and religiosity. He thought  fighting the believers was the best way to defend God. He was rather doing the opposite.

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (‭Acts 9:31)

Thus, when Saul had a divine encounter with Jesus, his life was transformed and he became a new person. Instead of driving believers into hiding, he became a channel for many more people to hear the word of God. Saul had single-handedly put fear and panic in the church. He received approval from the religious leaders to go and do more harm in Damascus. Backed by his temple police officers, Saul heeded for Damascus. This journey was interrupted by Jesus Himself. From there, Saul returned to Jerusalem as a committed follower of Jesus. As a result of Saul’s divine encounter, there was rejoicing in both heaven and on earth. The great change in Saul brought about peace in the church. Acts 9:31 states that, “the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” One person’s salvation brought territorial peace for some time. The church, encouraged by the conversion of Saul, was strengthened,  and this also attracted more people into the church. Imagine all the followers of Saul, many of them would have also changed trajectory to follow Jesus.

If we ever think no one is worthy enough to be saved, Saul’s divine encounter should encourage us to pray for all people irrespective of their background. No one is too sinful for God to show mercy. Some individuals control territories and their continued presence as agents of evil is detrimental to the church and the society. Instead of desiring their death, we should pray for their salvation as well. Leaders of nations, territories, groups and institutions with influential powers to cause societies to conform to their standards can be hindrances to the church if their purposes are to crush the church. Instead of hating such people and wishing them evil, pray that they have a divine encounter with Jesus. The transformation of one of such people will result in the reformation of the whole society. The church of God will experience peace, stability, growth, strength and many more goodness if it operates in an enabling environment. Keep praying for individual and societal transformation.

The seven deacons in charge of food distribution

Every organisation is susceptible to internal conflict if compliant, quarrels and disputes are not managed and dealt with in a timely and well-organized manner. No matter how minute a complaint, a quarrel or a dispute is, if left unhandled, it has the likelihood to become a big albatross around the organisation’s neck. No wonder most organisations have specialized departments that focus on human resources and public relations. It is important that the internal temperature of the organisation is well-controlled so that it affects the public image of the organisation. Dealing with issues that hinder the growth and development of a group is therefore necessary for the overall well-being of the group. The early church had an exponential growth that attracted people of all backgrounds. As the church became more diverse, their needs also became diverse. A complaint arose in the church concerning food distribution. Let’s see how this was handled.

Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ‭(Acts 6:3)

According to Acts 6:1, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” First, the complaints arose as a result of church growth. The diverse congregation demanded diverse attention. The Hellenistic Jews had an issue: their widows were not ignored in the daily food distribution. This complaint was raised specifically against the Hebraic Jews. First we need to understand that the Hellenistic Jews were made up of Jews who spoke Greek and adopted to some extent, the Greek way of life. The Hebraic Jews were traditionally Hebrew speaking Jews. Important to note is that Greek was a dominant language and culture during the time of the New Testament. In this complaint, we see cultural neglect and discrimination. This matter, if not dealt with, could have jeopardized the growth and development of the church. The apostles understood this and they immediately put measures in place to resolve the issue. What was the apostles’ resolution?

First, the apostles understood that if they do not delegate the responsibility of food distribution, it might affect their ministry. They knew that although sharing food is good, they as apostles would be more productive if they were committed to their own call. In Acts 6:2,  the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” After identifying this, the second step was to create a separate department for food distribution. This department had specific requirements for the workers. In Acts 6:3, the apostles made this suggestion: “Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.” To qualify as a food distributor, the appointee should be known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. This credential is important as Spirit-filled and wise distributors are likely to know and understand the needs of all the different people groups in the church. One might wonder why food distributors needed to be anointed and wise. In the house of God, nothing is mundane. Even food distribution is a ministry that requires specific attention.

The suggestion of the apostles was accepted in good faith. Their proposal pleased the whole group and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism (Acts 6:5). Those chosen were presented to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:6). What was the result? The word of God spread and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. ‭(Acts 6:7).

When we respond to internal conflicts in a timely manner, it results in safe conduct and peace within an organisation. Don’t ignore any complaint, show concern, try as much as possible to resolve issues and don’t allow any internal complaints to become an external disaster. Fix your backyard before it gets too busy to control.

Averting Life-Threatening situations

Any incident with the potential to jeopardize lives demands swift intervention. The narrative in 1 Samuel introduces us to Nabal, a man whose rash actions put his household in grave danger. It is through the quick thinking and decisive actions of his wife, Abigail, that catastrophe is averted. David and his men had been kind to the shepherds of Nabal so when they heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep, David sent his men to get something from Nabal. Unfortunately, Nabal dealt badly with David’s men and did not give them anything. This didn’t go down well with David and his men and their planned revenge was this: “May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!” (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭25:22‬).

His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite. (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭25:3‬)

Abigail’s initiative offers valuable lessons on averting life-threatening situations:

Act Quickly: When faced with a looming crisis, swift action is paramount. Abigail, recognizing the urgency of the situation, didn’t hesitate. As depicted in 1 Samuel 25:18, “Abigail acted quickly.” She prepared an ample supply of provisions for David and his men. In times of crisis, quick and decisive actions can make the crucial difference.

Send Someone Ahead: In situations where immediate action might be challenging, sending a representative ahead can be an effective strategy. Abigail dispatched her servants with the provisions to meet David before he reached Nabal’s house. This proactive approach allowed her to initiate peacekeeping measures in advance. When time is of the essence, deploying messengers of peace can be a crucial step in averting potential disasters.

Apologize for Wrongs: Abigail’s humility shines through as she approaches David. She doesn’t shy away from acknowledging Nabal’s wrongdoing and apologizes sincerely. In 1 Samuel 25:23–27, Abigail says, “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you.” Offering a genuine apology for wrongs committed can defuse tension and pave the way for reconciliation. Apologizing is a powerful tool in repairing relationships and preventing escalations.

Deal with the Root Cause: While Abigail’s initial efforts focused on averting immediate danger, she didn’t overlook the importance of addressing the root cause. Nabal, oblivious to the danger, continued reveling. Abigail waited until morning, when he was sober, to convey the severity of the situation. This strategic decision allowed Nabal to comprehend the consequences of his actions. When dealing with life-threatening scenarios, it’s crucial to tackle the root cause to prevent future recurrences.

Timely Intervention Matters: Abigail’s quick thinking and intervention saved lives. Despite the dire circumstances, she prevented David and his men from carrying out their vengeful plans. Unfortunately, Nabal, the instigator, faced the consequences of his actions. Abigail’s timely intervention emphasizes the importance of being proactive in averting harm.

Silence Can Speak Volumes: In the aftermath of her intervention, Abigail chose not to immediately confront Nabal. She waited until morning to reveal the gravity of the situation. This silence allowed Nabal to absorb the impact of his folly. Sometimes, allowing individuals to reflect on their actions can be a powerful method of conveying the severity of a situation.

Abigail’s initiative in averting a life-threatening situation provides a timeless blueprint for addressing crises. In a world where crises can escalate rapidly, learning from Abigail’s wisdom becomes an invaluable guide to preserving lives and maintaining peace. Averting life-threatening situations requires courage, wisdom, and a commitment to ensuring the well-being of those involved. May Abigail’s story inspire us to act swiftly and wisely in the face of impending danger. Even if you didn’t contribute to a life-threatening situation, your intervention is required to avert the evil consequences. If we all fold our hands that it is not our business, the evil consequences will sweep us all.

Merry Christmas

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

Christmas without Jesus Christ is just another holiday. Jesus is the reason for the season. Peace on earth and goodwill to men.

Merry Christmas!

Trust Him to calm the storm

My first ever trip on the sea was an excursion on the sea with a very large ship. That was in 2002. The experience was just so great. We experienced slight turbulence while on sea and some of my friends got so sick on board. The next experience was about 2 years later in 2004 at the same port and in a similar ship. Again, the experience was both good and bad. Ten years later (2014), I traveled on sea from Norway to Denmark and from Denmark back to Norway. It was a huge ship and there were more than 400 students on board. To be frank, I enjoyed the scenery and the journey until we experienced turbulence at night. Oh my! It was not a pleasant experience at all. I wondered how seafarers and fishermen survive in deep waters. They certainly deserve to be recognized. At one point myself and my roommates were all scared as the ship tilted sideways. Anyway, we made it and apparently that is normal to traveling on sea. Ah well, I hope to try again!

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26)

If my experience on a big vessel was unpleasant, imagine fishing with a boat in the  1st Century and experiencing turbulence. In Matthew 8:23-26 (also recorded in Mark and Luke’s gospel), Jesus “got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” How could Jesus sleep on a cushion (according to Mark’s account) in that furious storm? The peace He had and the assurance that He would arrive at the other end was amazing. The disciples thought they would drown. How could they not have known? They were in the same boat with Jesus and still were scared for their lives. Thankfully, the winds and the waves heard the voice of the Lord and calmed down. 

I would have been flabbergasted! Imagine someone commanding the winds and the waves to calm down during my return trip from Denmark to Norway. The disciples were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27). In life, we face different kinds of storms each day. Sometimes, events in our lives feel like a horrendous storm about to break. Nothing seems to work and all our efforts prove futile. We feel like we’re trapped in a cage of nothingness and yet, we are unable to come out. The good news is, we have the Master over storms and ferocious situations as our Lord. He only comes when invited. Remember, He was sleeping when the tempest was roaring. He stilled the waves and the winds only when He was called. If you have not called Him yet, it is not too late. He is ready to come and calm every storm that is giving your life instability and tossing you back and forth. By His words, the storm will be stilled. Mark’s account (Mark 4:39) states that, “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” What manner of man commands the winds and the waves? Invite Him today and let him bring stillness to your raging storms. Trust in the Lord!