Brotherly Admonition

Background Scripture: Philemon
Lesson Scripture: Philemon 3-10, 15-21

Introduction

Admonition means to express warning or disapproval especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner, or to indicate duties or obligations.1 While the above definition is from a dictionary, is there a greater spiritual dimension that brotherly admonition carries? To give and take reproof is a vow that is made at the time of baptism, yet it can be most easily neglected. The grace of God is necessary to practice admonition, but it can be rendered ineffectual when self is not dethroned. When done in a heated or coercive way, the opportunity for further conversation becomes closed, often resulting in a brother being hurt or offended. On the other hand, the point is lost when brought in a frivolous or light-hearted spirit. Our lesson scripture provides a beautiful example of a brotherly admonition.

Key Verse

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted (Gal. 6:1).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Philemon, together with his household, was much beloved of Paul. Philemon’s servant had run away, and in Rome he encountered the apostle. Paul’s love reached out toward Onesimus’s condition, first as a person in need of salvation, and secondly as someone estranged from his master. While in Rome, Onesimus communicated with Paul. Though the conversation between them is not recorded, we can assume that there were reasons why Onesimus left his master. It may have been for a taste of freedom and adventure, or perhaps he had suffered harsh treatment. The important thing is that Onesimus responded to God’s call to salvation and became a Christian.

Now in Paul’s condition as a prisoner, Onesimus became as a son to him. Paul greatly valued his service of love, but he realized that Onesimus belonged to someone else. He also recognized that as a young Christian, Onesimus required nurturing, and the relationship between him and Philemon would need to change. On Philemon’s part, Onesimus was a delinquent runaway. Now he had been transformed and was a beloved brother in the faith. No doubt Paul’s concern was that Philemon would reconcile with his former slave and accept him as God’s child. Onesimus’s restitution required returning and becoming subject to his master.

Paul addressed this sensitive situation with love, discretion, and tenderness. Surely Philemon’s heart softened as he read Paul’s request to receive this servant as himself. As Paul asked on the behalf of Onesimus to have any wrongs or debts owed placed on his account, Philemon undoubtedly could sense his care. This short epistle teaches us in an outstanding way how to approach our brother with our concerns in the love of Christ. The result will be a mending of hearts and restoring of fellowship.

Practical Truths for Today

In the brotherhood of Christ, just as in a natural family, each one cares deeply for the others. When natural disaster, sickness, or tragedy befalls someone in the brotherhood, compassion compels the rest to reach out and help carry the burden. This is done with hardly a thought for our own loss of convenience; it is love in action.

When it becomes apparent that our spiritual brother or sister has deviated from the narrow way, that same love should reach out, both in prayer and action. When it is a spiritual matter, however, it becomes very personal. Loving on this level requires caring about the soul. This takes self-denial and our flesh resists being vulnerable. We may possibly feel that prayer alone is sufficient. When no change happens after a time of prayer, frustration sets in, and it becomes easier to share our concern with someone else. We may use the justification that if more are aware of the matter, something will be done about it. However, it is our duty to heed the words of Jesus and speak to our brother alone. This is not a time to confront him with a charge. Rather, we should begin by sharing on heart matters, realizing that in weakness we walk the same path. Listening for a brother’s heart language can change first impressions, and the Spirit opens the door to share a concern in the right way.

Nearly everyone responds favorably to someone possessing the Holy Spirit’s characteristics of love, peace, joy, meekness, gentleness, and kindness. Even a hardened and unregenerate heart craves love given unconditionally. Even so, when a brother comes in charity and tells us of a personal need, often there is resistance within. Pride rises up to defend and justify self. Often after those initial feelings become quieted, the Spirit speaks in his still, small voice and supports the admonition, showing how that need can be filled. If at that point we can humble ourselves and accept this help, the reproof bears the fruit of righteousness and peace. How thankful we are then that the brother, though weak and imperfect, lent himself as a messenger of God.

God has chosen his children to be messengers of the gospel to the world as well as to each other. There are examples in the Word where God did not bring his complete message to a seeking or needy individual but directed them to his children. For example, Paul was sent to Cornelius. God has elected that no individual will have all the answers for his own life. Everyone has their blind spot. Accepting this brings a feeling of appreciation for the brethren, knowing that I need their help to complete my journey through life. Deep in the heart, everyone desires the truth about their standing with God. In Acts 20:27, Paul tells the Ephesians that he had not shunned to declare to them the whole counsel of God. Later, Paul admonished them to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). The spiritual attributes of love, truthfulness, and sincerity are powerful and effective in showing each other the right way.

Paul admonishes Timothy to instruct those who oppose themselves in meekness (2 Tim. 2:25). In most cases a brother can be won over by a kind, gentle approach. Approaching my brother in the spirit of meekness conveys that I am walking this path in weakness as well. My duty as a servant of Christ is to approach my brother as a servant. In this spirit, we endeavor to bring what the Spirit has laid on our heart. Due to the weakness of the flesh, the delivery is at times flawed, yet the love of God in our hearts covers this and extends our sincere care.

We are ready to say that we love the Lord, but if we cannot love our brother whom we see, how can we love God whom we have not seen (1 John 4:20)? Again, in 1 John 3:18, we are admonished to love not only in word but in deed and in truth. God-given love is multi-dimensional. It responds in the auspices of the present, future, and eternal perspectives. Spiritual failure and tragedy can be avoided if we will be true to the baptismal vow of giving and taking reproof. We need the full measure of God’s love to fulfill this.

Questions

1. How is Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 7:1-5 fulfilled? What does a “beam in thine own eye” represent, and how do I prepare my heart to help my brother?
2. Does the teaching to go to our brother alone apply in all situations?
3. Jude 22-23 tells us to “have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire.” How can we exercise discernment in these areas? Share some personal experiences.
4. 1 Merriam-Webster Dictionary
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).