How do we respond to being wronged? Do we seek retribution, restitution, justice? In this passage of scripture a former slave, Onesimus, while on the run for theft from his master, Philemon, runs into the Apostle Paul and comes to faith in Christ. With this personal letter from Paul, we see the gospel of reconciliation and restoration on display. As much as we have been wronged, we have never been wronged as much as we have wronged Christ.

The Apostle Paul, from prison, is encouraging the Philippian believers to be united in the Spirit; but what do you do when you run into or are the subject of strife or Spirit-quenching drama within the church? Our tendency is to murmur and complain, or run and retaliate...the answer is to go to the cross where we have sinned or sins have been committed against us and repent and or forgive, and see the grace and love of Jesus cover that situation. We are called as Christians to "work out what God is working in us."

Join Pastor Ben Hiwale for one of the most familiar but misunderstood portions of scripture in Phil. 1:21. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is grain." Spiritual growth doesn't come to us on rainbows and glittering unicorns, it comes to us through trials, pain, and suffering. Only Christ is worth living for and dyeing for...how about you?