FEAR
“Of God, as a controlling motive of the life, in matters spiritual and moral, not a mere ‘fear’ of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him, a ‘fear’ which banishes the terror that shrinks from His presence, Romans 8:15, and which influences the disposition and attitude of one whose circumstances are guided by trust in God, through the indwelling Spirit of God, Acts 9:31; Romans 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:21” (Vine’s)
Jason
PERFECTING
“To bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete” (Thayer’s)
“…continuous present tense, indicating a process…” (Vine’s)
“Believers are to be ‘perfecting holiness in the fear of God,’ 2 Corinthians 7:1, i.e., bringing ‘holiness’ to its predestined end, whereby (c) they may be found ‘blameless in holiness’ in the second coming of Christ, 1 Thessalonians 3:13.” (Vine’s)
Jason
HOLINESS
Holy, Holiness, Hallow, Sanctify & Sanctification: 5 Nouns; 2 Adjectives; 1 Adverb; 2 Verbs
Holy: separation to God (Vine’s)
“Sanctification is thus the state predetermined by God for believers, into which in grace He calls them, and in which they begin their Christian course and so pursue it. Hence they are called ‘saints.” (Vine’s)
“Holiness refers to separation from all that would defile both the body and the mind. Complete or perfect holiness was embodied only in Christ, thus believers are to pursue Him, cf. 3:18; Leviticus 20:26; Matthew 5:48; Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 John 3:2-3 (John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1774).
Jason
“…perfecting holiness in the fear of God….” (2 Corinthians 7:1; NKJV)
To whom were these words addressed?
“…and such were some of you…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
“…but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified…” (1 Corinthians 6:11; Acts 18:1-11)
Jason
The Practicality of Philemon
1. Just as we have been shown mercy through the grace of Christ, so we must graciously forgive those who sin against us (3, 12, 15-17, 25; Ephesians 4:32; 2 Corinthians 2:3-11
2. We must learn to receive one another because of who we are in relation to one another:
WE ARE BRETHREN! (16; Genesis 13:8; Romans 12:4-5; 15:7).
3. The Scriptures neither condemn nor condone slavery – freedom from sin and death is the will of our Father for His children (Ephesians 6:5-9; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:9-10; Colossians 3:22-4:1; 1 Peter 2:18-25; Galatians 3:28; Hebrews 2:14-15; John 8:31-36).
Conclusion: Read Philemon and determine in your heart to receive your brethren in the Lord!
Jason
The Christ of Philemon: Jesus is the Restorer of Relationships!
1. Although Onesimus is guilty of a great offense (11, 18)
2. Paul is moved to intercede on his behalf (10-17)
3. Paul lays aside his rights (8)
4. Paul becomes Onesimus’s substitute by assuming his debt (18-19)
5. By Philemon’s gracious act, Onesimus will be restored and placed in a new relationship (15-16)
6. In this analogy, we are as Onesimus…Paul’s advocacy before Philemon is parallel to Christ’s work of mediation before the Father…Onesimus was condemned by law, but saved by grace!
Jason