Growing Through Relationship

“I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” —  Philemon 1:6 (NIV) 

If you’ve ever been in a relationship with a special someone—life partner or close friend—you know that where you are today isn’t where you began. You may have spotted that person in a crowded room and, for some unexplained reason, they caught your attention. In the first few minutes of conversation, you sensed something intriguing.

Perhaps later, you met for coffee or lunch and realized there was more to discover. On that date—or soon after—you scheduled another. You can see where this is going: the more time you spend with someone, the better you understand them, their joys and quirks, their hopes and habits.

Paul’s timeless prayer in Philemon leans on that same truth. He knows that faith isn’t static; it grows through relationship. As we spend time with Christ—listening, learning, noticing His grace in our everyday moments—we begin to understand “every good thing” we’ve been given in Him. 

And that understanding doesn’t stay inside us. It shapes how we live, how we forgive, how we give, how we show grace. The generosity Paul hopes to see in Philemon isn’t forced; it’s the natural overflow of a heart that has spent time with Jesus and has come to know His goodness firsthand.

So the question becomes: how might we deepen that relationship today? Not out of obligation, but out of desire—like choosing another conversation, another shared moment, another step toward someone whose presence brings life. As we grow in Christ, our faith becomes more effective, not because we try harder, but because we know Him better.

Lord Jesus, draw us closer to You today. Help us notice Your goodness, remember Your grace, and grow in understanding of every gift You’ve placed in our lives. Let that understanding shape our words, our choices, and our generosity, so that others may glimpse Your heart through ours. Amen.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tim