When I was a Captain in the United States Air Force, I had the pleasure of leading some of the most professional and hard working individuals from across this great country. But, I still had to deal with the problems of people being people. They made their share of mistakes and had to take responsibility for them, but I, as their leader, had to stand right next to them and take responsibility as well as plead for leniency on them. This is not as flawed as you might think. It showed insight into how I could lead them better and where I had to focus my efforts in mentoring, teaching, and leading.
One of the shortest books in the Bible is Paul's letter to Philemon. Philemon was a convert and wealthy slave owner from the town of Colosse in what is now present day Turkey. Paul writes this letter on behalf of Philemon's slave Onesimus, who had stolen from Philemon and run away. Theft was a crime punishable by death in ancient Rome. Paul met Onesimus while he was imprisoned in Rome, and there Onesimus accepted Christ. He was now ready to take responsibility for his actions and return to Colosse to face his master. In this letter, Paul was pleading to Philemon to have mercy on Onesimus.
This plead from Paul for Onesimus is strikingly parallel to the pleas that Jesus made to the Father, even while he was on the cross, for all of us as sinners. The examples of Paul and Jesus as leaders should be the example that we set for non-believers as we strive to be role models and mentors.
Try this on for size: Have you ever prayed for God's mercy on non-believers, instead of yourself? Have you ever tried to be like Simon and bear someone's cross for them? The hardest thing to do sometimes is look at the hardships and mistakes of a friend or family member (mainly someone who does not have a relationship with Christ) and not judge them, but be there for them, be there with them. Let me know your thoughts. This post was a little tough for me.
Praying for Compassion,
Jesus Freak Out!
Friday, August 22, 2008
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2 comments:
Agreed, we ought to bear the cross for our brothers and sisters, I just heard a lesson on intercession this week with some things that I can share pertaining to this... I hope this adds
This is the work of intercession: to earnestly, fervently and specifically pray to the Father for someone to either come to the knowledge of Christ or for revelation in the life of another believer. One of the largest pieces of Paul's ministry was intercession, "Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of [His] goodness and the work of faith with power" 2 Th 1:11
When we interceed for a each other we take on the burden of that person, like Christ we pick up the cross and bear it with them, making their struggles as our own and taking on the same spiritual burndens. We stand in the gap the same way as the prophets of old did for Israel, the same way that Christ stands in the gap for us we fill the void for others to reach the Father. God uses each and everyone of us in this way. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us..." Rom 8:26
We should all be wary of our prayer because the work of our prayer life is not merely lip service, it is a POWERFUL tool in which we fight our spiritual battles as well as the battles of our brothers and sisters...
Remember always that we ought to stand in the gap for each other, with full faith that the things which we pray for will come to pass. Constantly seeking opportunities to fulfill our requests, for God calls us do be DOERS of His word, and not hearers only...
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22
G. Knight
Gee Dog Knight,
You have wisdom beyond your years. Thanks for the great comment. This adds so much more to this post that I was looking for.
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