For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, 

I appeal to you, 

instead, 

on the basis of love...

Philemon 1:7-9 CSB

I find it's so easy to use the Bible as a quick fix; take these 2 verses and call me tomorrow.

Or to hammer someone; "just read this verse".

And that leads me to use phrases that start with 'if only you'd done what I said', 'why didn't you', etc.

And sometimes we have a blind spot that allows us to lead with those kind of questions, or uses the Bible as a weapon against someone.

Paul knew that Philemon loved people, he'd seen or heard of the refreshed hearts. 

It seems that when it came to Onesimus. Philemon was going to lead with the law, with his authority. 

He's got a blind spot. 

And in that blind spot Paul encourages him to lead with love.

Where's my blind spot?

(feel free to let me know 'cos I can't see my own)

Where do I lead with the law? 

How could I lead with love?

How would that change things? (Change me?)

Where would Paul tell me to lead with love?

#somanyquestionstoday

#leadwithlovetoday