The Saints Have Been Refreshed Through You – Philemon 1:4-7

What would it be like to have on your tombstone, “He (she) refreshed our hearts”?  Paul had this testimony about Philemon.

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.  (Philemon 1:4-7 ESV)

Paul prayed, a lot!  In almost all his letters he mentions this and here he speaks, as he does often, of the gratitude he feels when he remembers Philemon.  Nothing brought him more joy than believers demonstrating faith, hope and love.  He highlights Philemon’s love for Jesus and for all the believers, because the one leads to the other, and he will give Philemon an opportunity to demonstrate that towards his runaway slave Onesimus.  Philemon also shares his faith with others and Paul’s prayer is that such sharing will lead others to a full knowledge of the good things Jesus creates within us.

Paul himself has been on the receiving end of Philemon’s love.  It has comforted him to know that he is cared for by this believer.  It has refreshed him and the other believers to be loved by Philemon.  If Paul were writing to us, what would he say of us and the impact we are having on other believers.  Does our love for others bring them refreshment, comfort, knowledge of good things and joy?