Loophole Faith

Philemon 1:21 KJV

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

  

Paul's confidence was that Philemon would go so far as to

• Obey what Paul hoped and
• Do more than Paul hoped

We live in the age of loophole Christianity. Modern believers are looking for ways to get out of obedience. They use the doctrine of liberty as their loophole out of true obedience. They take their faith only as far as they have to in order to ensure for themselves a home in heaven. Preachers are finding their own loopholes too, preaching a kind of doctrine that sounds good from the pulpit but requires little in life style. Like the popular pastor who styles himself a theological conservative and a social liberal, so many look for ways out of separation unto God. They like the saved, blessing of God, changing the world part of Christianity, but they want nothing of the "endure hardness as a good soldier" sort of Christianity.

Not so Philemon.

Paul knew the sort of man he was and was therefore confident that he would not only follow Paul's counsel, but do it and more.

Lord make me a "more than I say" believer.