Useless to Useful

How do you “win” with people?

What does it mean to have influence with people? How do you gain influence? These are important questions.

Some options: demand (typically because of position), manipulate, coerce, bully and shame.

This seems to be the pattern of the world. If we are not careful this becomes the way of the people of Jesus.

The Gospel provides a different way.

It is my core believe that the Gospel demands we do not act like the world nor use power in the same way.

Philemon 9 NIV

yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—

To win people we must see them as Christ does.

Central to the life of Paul, Peter, Jesus, and other “giants” of the faith was the Gospel transforms individuals and communities. Their love of Jesus compelled them to have relationship with them. Onesimus’ name means “useful” and yet it is only because of his identity in Christ does he truly become this.

Everyone in Christ is useful to Christ.

Past mistakes may have lasting consequences but we may never demote someone as “second-class” based on what was or was not done.

Philemon 11 NIV

Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

To win with people we must give them freedom to choose.

This is what Jesus does with us.

To win with people we must ask them to do “hard” things.

Neither Onesimus or Philemon have an easy task.

Reconciliation is needed in the community of Jesus.

Many of us hold on to grudges, pains, and hurts from long ago. Someone said something you didn’t like and now you don’t speak. I am not talking abou tthe ongoing issues but past issues.

Let Jesus and the Gospel transform you.