In the midst of our deepest troubles, it’s understandable to think that God is distant. Understandable, but wrong. God is not far away. He has done literally everything to bridge the gap between the human race and Himself. There is no longer any need for distance between you and the God who loves you. Jesus – God the Son – crossed over to our side to lead us back over to His side. That’s just one reason the Lord Jesus Christ is exactly the Savior that we need.
When your faith gives you no real advantage in this world – and may even cause you trouble – it’s time to assess what you really believe and who or what you really believe in.
Refusing to forgive is like taking poison in the hope that it kills somebody else. I’m not sure who first said that, but if you think about it, it’s true. Philemon is about forgiveness.
Paul doesn’t seem to tire of certain subjects. We probably shouldn’t tire of them either. How Christians should behave is one of them. The plain facts of the gospel are another. He covers both of these again in this last chapter to Titus who is serving on the island of Crete.
Central Reflections 