The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philemon 1:7-11, “For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do that which is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you– since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus– 10 I appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Onesimus, 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”

There is no book in the Bible that is as clever as Philemon. You simply must read

the entire 25 verses to grasp the genius of it all. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon.

He had escaped and ministered to Paul, who was imprisoned. Paul ultimately sends

him back to Philemon with a carefully worded letter that disarms Philemon completely.

Paul plays upon his own age and his imprisonment, as he “appeals” for the “child.”

Further, Paul puts Philemon back in the “driver’s seat,” saying “without your consent,

I did not want to do anything…” and “if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything… I will repay it” (vv. 14, 19). Just don’t forget how much you owe me (v. 19).

Then, comes the capstone, when Paul says to get things ready for a visit. He’s going to

see whether Philemon has dealt rightly with Onesimus! This is pure genius!

All of this reminds me what Dr. Pounds’ shared with me many years ago.

HOW TO CRITICIZE SOMEONE WITHOUT OFFENCE

1. Compliment them – You are a very intelligent person.

2. Hint at a criticism – Yet, even the most intelligent have flaws in areas of their thinking.

3. Criticize them outright – Your problem is that you think you know everything

when you don’t!!!

4. Relate the criticism to yourself – I know, because I was just as egotistical as

you at one time.

5. Complement them – You still have a very intelligent mind and will come to the Truth.

What is amazing is that with all of the above being said, what the person remembers are numbers 1 & 5! Truly, it works!

God bless you all abundantly,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”