By David ReayThursday 22 Sep 2022LifeWords DevotionalsDevotionsReading Time: 2 minutes
You will know, I expect, that all those who were in Asia have turned against me, Phygelus and Hermogenes among them. But may the Lord have mercy on the household of Onesiphorus. Many times did that man put fresh heart into me, and he was not in the least ashamed of my being a prisoner in chains. Indeed, when he was in Rome he went to a great deal of trouble to find me—may the Lord grant he finds his mercy in that day!—and you well know in how many ways he helped me at Ephesus as well. (PHILLIPS)
Most of us have lived long enough to experience the disappointments that occur when others let us down. Maybe promises were made and not kept. Maybe we were seduced by superficial appearances and only discovered unpleasant truths later on. Maybe we were objects of some affection but that affection was later withdrawn and transferred to others.
Following Jesus wholeheartedly doesn’t avoid that sort of thing. We can see the great apostle Paul knew what it was like to have others turn away from him. Understandably, it makes us a bit wary, a bit cautious about entrusting too much too soon to others. We are to be utterly realistic about human nature.
Then again, in this same passage, Paul refers to a man called Onesiphorus who didn’t turn against him. He was a great encourager who went out of his way to be of assistance to Paul. He showed the better side of human nature.
We need to keep this in mind when thinking about others. We can easily become overly cynical and never trust anyone or draw close to anyone. Once bitten, twice shy. Or perhaps we can become naïve about others and not be aware of the fallenness of human beings. We rightly look for the best in others, but may be dangerously ignorant of the possible worst in others.
The Spirit of God can grant us wisdom to both be aware of the darkness and aware of the light when it comes to human nature. No need for either cynicism or naivete.
Blessings,
David