Larry Shaffer

Slavery

Slavery 

Philemon 

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eye-service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 

And masters, do the same thing to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. Ephesians 6:5-9 

We shouldn’t ignore the fact that Philemon owned a slave. Let’s discuss it. 

Isn’t it interesting that the Bible never openly condemns slavery? Jesus never did either. This isn’t easy to reconcile. 

As I concluded our study on Philemon, I realized I had not considered the topic of slavery. It’s not the main theme of the book, but it is hard to ignore as a topic. A prominent Christian leader, Philemon, had a slave. Isn’t it sinful to have slaves? I’m not sure I have a great answer, but I know I shouldn’t ignore this obvious question. Don’t expect a brilliant conclusion from me. I’m not sure where we’ll land. But often, when I start writing, difficult issues become a little clearer. Let's see what happens as I write.
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by Larry Shaffer

Conclusion

Philemon, conclusion 

Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more that what I say. At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. 

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Deman, Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 

Is there any more God-like thing we can do than forgive?

I mean if we think about the amazing attributes of God, we often go to omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) omnipresent, Sovereign, unchanging and all around perfect in every way. Those are all wonders to us. They are far above us, glorious and beyond our reach. We cannot attain godliness (to be like God) in these attributes. Ok, no problem. We'll leave ultimate power and perfection to God.Read more

by Larry Shaffer

The Nature of God to Forgive 

The nature of God to forgive 

Philemon 

For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 

If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me eve your own self as well), verses 15-19 

Can you think of a time when you ran into someone in a public place that you hadn’t seen in a long time? Sometimes you embrace them and other times, because of the nature of your past relationship, you want to avoid them.  Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Fancy Meeting You Here

This pic is after my first time ever Quail hunting with my dear friend, Doug Tatum. I have to apologize to my California friends; first for hunting (although I look forward to doing it again :) and secondly, for celebrating the day by drinking a premium CA Cab in styrofoam cups. #redneck #forgivenessrocks

Fancy Meeting You Here 

Philemon 

Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you – since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel. Verses 8-13 

When I was about two years, while my family lived in Spokane, WA, the place of my birth, a fiery Baptist preacher knocked on our door. Back then, in the age of door-to-door salesmen, it wasn’t unusual for such a thing to happen. My parents, completely unchurched with no spiritual background whatsoever, welcomed him into their living room. The Pastor shared the gospel with them and they both received Christ that day. From that day forward, my parents were all in. We attended every service; Sunday school, Sunday service, morning and evening, plus Wednesday night service. Also, every potluck or special gathering to that took place in that little church. My parents were all in. I often thank God for the crazy Baptist preacher who knocked on our door and changed our lives forever. Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Let’s find the good! 

Let’s find the good! 

Philemon 

This is an intense but brief personal letter from Paul while in prison in Rome, to a dear friend, Philemon, whom Paul led to Christ many years earlier while establishing the church in Colossae. Paul is going to ask, not command, Philemon forgive and restore someone who had been close to him and who had betrayed him. The betrayal of someone close is the deepest pain. Our greatest joys are rich, trust-based personal relationship. Our greatest hurts come from betrayals made within such relationships. We see both types of relationships within this letter. 

Paul starts out first with a personal greeting including the following; Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Let’s Get Personal

Insperity recently sponsored the Houston Sports Awards. I didn't make it into the Houston sports hall of fame but I did get interviewed as a sponsor. :)

Let’s get personal 

Philemon 

Philemon is a personal letter from the apostle Paul written toward the end of his life while in prison in Rome. It was delivered, by a co-worker of Paul, Tychicus, to the city of Colossae, along with the book of Colossians. Philemon was a prominent member of the church Paul had established in Colossae. Colossians was written to the church and is filled with rich and deep doctrinal truth.  

Philemon was an open letter written to an individual about a personal issue. From a quick reading of Philemon, the themes appear to be the amazing life-transformation power of the saving grace of salvation and consequently, how salvation effects personal restoration and forgiveness. Should a sinner who has personally wronged someone, get a free pass of forgiveness because they became a Christian???

Philemon also gives insight into the early church's relationship with slavery. Hmmm, this should be interesting to explore deeper. Read more

by Larry Shaffer

Forgiveness

Daddy-daughter date! Richard and Jaycie Downing

Forgiveness 

Philemon 

Open your Bible and without looking at the table of contents, find the book of Philemon. Go ahead, I'll wait. :) I must admit, it took me a few minutes. Who chooses Philemon for their devotions? I don't think I've ever heard a sermon on Philemon, have you???  Once you find it, read it. It only takes about 5 minutes.  

Why is this book in the Bible? When I first read it, I'm not sure I can answer that question with total confidence. But that's why I'm compelled to explore it and discover the divine principles that are here.  

Allow me to take a little detour that reveals my geekiness as a Bible student: Read more

by Larry Shaffer