New Testament: Philemon 20

To read the Bible in a year, read Philemon on November 3, In the year of our Lord Christ 2024

By Don Ruhl 

Why do we exist as Christians? Why does the Lord want us to be members of the body of Christ, which is the church? 

It is not all for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others, just as Paul encouraged Philemon to be: “Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord” (Philemon 20). 

Paul wanted Philemon to do the right thing in a situation, he did not want to use his apostolic authority to get Philemon to do it. 

Therefore, Paul reasoned with him and touched Philemon’s heart with the words from verse 20. 

Truly, we are in the church that we might refresh one another. Paul needed it as he was in prison. Your brother may not be in prison, but he might be in another situation that is draining his heart. 

Do what you can to refresh his heart. 

Questions from today’s reading and devotional: 

• From where would Paul’s joy come? 
• What were the names of Philemon’s family? 

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Don preaches with the Savage Street Church of Christ in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Listen to his sermons here: GrantsPassChurchOfChrist.com