FRACTURED FELLOWSHIP

Philemon

This very short book/letter in the New Testament has very interesting facts.  It lists people’s names in whom Paul wants to be remembered to and does not contain the kind of teaching that is usually associated with Paul’s letters.  This intrigues me.

I was taught in speech class that when you are speaking you can use complex sentences, but when you really want to make something clear, make your sentence short and to the point.  I tend to think that this is what Paul was doing.  He was trying to make a point.

He was encouraging Philemon to take Onesimus back with forgiveness and brotherly love.  Scholars tend to agree that Onesimus was Philemon’s slave or bond-servant, who had run away.  When a slave was lost, the master would have to purchase another or pay another person to do the work the slave did.  This was more than an inconvenience.  It took income away from the master.  Paul was encouraging Philemon to forgive and take back Onesimus thus restoring not only the original relationship the two men had, but also adding that Onesimus was now a believer and fellow brother in Christ.  Paul was restoring a fractured fellowship between the two.

Paul not only mentions Onesimus to Philemon, but he also mentions a number of other believers.  It is obvious that Paul personally knew these believers he mentions.  Two are only mentioned in this chapter of the Bible (Apphia, and Lucas) that we know anything about other than they were fellow believers whom both Paul and Philemon knew.  The rest we know a little more about:

Archippus – Archippus had a ministry.  (Colossians 4:16-18)

Onesimus – Onesimus was a servant/slave of Philemon.  He was a believer and well loved by Paul. (Colossians 4:8-10)

Epaphras – Epaphras was a minister and Paul considered him a fellow servant.  (Colossians 1:6-8; Colossians 4:11-13)

Marcus – Marcus was Barnabus’ nephew.  (Colossians 4:10)

Aristarchus – Aristarchus was a Macedonian from Thessalonica, a one-time travel companion and fellow prisoner to Paul (Acts 19:28-30;

20:4; 27:2)

Demas – Once a believer but left the faith for worldly things.
(Colossians 4:13-15; 2 Timothy 4:10)

Demas provides another view of fractured fellowship.  The AMP Bible states it this way, “…For Demas has deserted me for love of this present world and has gone to Thessalonica…”  Paul makes such a short statement, but it is so important.  “For love of this present world…” shows that Demas let the things of this world take priority over Jesus and his relationship with Him.  Paul does not say that Demas went into evil acts or vile sins.  He just states that he left him for the love of the world.  The things of this world drew him away.  Demas’ fellowship with Jesus (and consequently with Paul) was fractured by love of the world.

Demas was drawn away from faith by things seen and felt around him.  It is an easy trap for us to fall into.  We have to live in this world.  We have to work, earn money, pay rent, buy food, etc.  We cannot but experience the things we see and feel, but the difference is which will take preeminence?  Which will be more important to us?  Which will we desire?  The things we see and feel or Jesus. Is it really that simple?  Yes, but you may say that we cannot but be focused and concerned about making enough money to pay the bills and rent.  Is it a wonder why Jesus asked us why we were overly anxious and troubled with the cares of this world?  (Luke 25-28)  He encouraged realizing that if God cares enough to take care of the plants in the field, how much more will He care for us.

Another example of how we let the things of this world draw us away is in Malachi 3:7-9.  In Malachi we learn the Children of Israel were ignoring the law of God to give Him a tenth of all their increase.  In fact they were not bringing offerings of any kind to Him.  They had a choice to return to God.  If they returned and obeyed Him he promised to return to them and “pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it…rebuke the devourer for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground...”  Again, the choice is simple.  If you choose to focus on the concerns of this world you will have broken fellowship with God.  If you choose to focus on God He will give you all you need to live in this world and your fellowship with Him will grow.

Will you focus on Jesus today, or let the world have its sway?