Using the Lesser Known Gifts

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” (Phm 1:6 AV)

 

Paul really knows how to butter them up!  The letter of Philemon is written to an employer whose indentured servant ran away.  Onesiphorus was a fellow cell-mate, so to speak, of Paul while he was incarcerated in Rome.  After some evangelism, Onesiphorus came to know Jesus Christ as his Savior.  Because of the servant’s conversion, Paul is seek the master’s mercy.  Paul offers to make good on any financial burden Onesiphorus may have incurred.  This opening statement was intended to illicit Philemon’s saintly side rather than his business side.  He is asking Philemon to tap into the lesser used gifts of the Spirit like mercy and compassion.  Philemon was an entrepreneur who also helped start a church with Paul.  He was a real go-getter who accomplished much for the LORD.  One wonders if Paul’s mind isn’t going back to his decision to part with John Mark rather than to take the time to disciple him.  At any rate, Paul is asking Philemon to do what does not come naturally in the power of the Holy Spirit so that his faith becomes effectual, not only for Onesiphorus but also for the church he had started. 

There is this skill I have that thrills the saints.  It is one that I learned about forty-five years ago.  It really isn’t a spectacular skill.  It would not appear on a resume.  This skill doesn’t rank up there with juggling or walking on stilts.  It is a specific skill that has only one application.  It really is no big deal.  But when I mention my past work experience, it is the number one skill people inquire of.  They want to know if I can do this thing.  I have had a couple of fellowships for churches where I exhibit this skill.  People are fascinated.  It is really a hoot.  The last time I did this, I got the kids involved.  They helped with my part of the fellowship.  They couldn’t do this trick because they were too little and the material used was too cumbersome.  What was this skill?  Tossing pizza dough.  Whenever I mention that I managed a pizzeria, that is the first question I get.  “Can you throw the dough in the air?”  Almost every time.  We don’t like to do this too much because flour goes everywhere.  Including your face.  But if the crowd asks for it, up it goes.  They really get a kick out of the size the dough can get if you keep tossing it.  Sometimes, I could get it about eight feet in diameter.  They also like how high you can toss it or if you can do so with one hand or two.  Or there is always throwing it up, spinning around, and then catching it.  This skill is nothing.  Anyone can do it.  But it is something that edifies the saints.

Using every good thing, and not just those good things that come easy should be our goal.  To effect the walk of the saints and convert the sinners, acknowledging every good thing is a good place to start.  Maybe our thing is not generosity.  Use it!  Maybe we are not the most patient in the room.  Use it!  Maybe we are not the most serious in the fellowship.  Time to sober up.  Maybe we find compassion a hard thing to show.  So what.  Show some.  Maybe we find it hard to condescend to men of low estate.  Humble yourself.  Maybe what we need is to get out of our comfort zone and tap into every characteristic of Christlikeness that the entire body of Christ is edified.  What we need to do is work on what does not come naturally yet is part of the fruit of the Spirit.  We need to temper our strengths and exercise our weaknesses.  Our faith cannot be effectual unless we acknowledge every good thing.  Not just those good things that define our personality.  Philemon had the liberty to do as he pleased.  He was wronged by an employee who defrauded him.  He could have exercised the full extent of the law and have been in the right.  Doing so would have furthered his business.  Yet, acknowledging compassion and discipleship would further the church.  What did not come naturally for Philemon yet was still a good thing from God.  Acknowledging the whole work of the Holy Spirit and not that which resides in our comfort zone is the way to edify the church.