Philemon 6 English Standard Version (ESV) and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Paul’s prayer here is for our faith to be effective. He goes on to add to that prayer for full knowledge of every good thing in us. Note that he does not call for knowledge of every good work. If we look at sharing our faith as being just one part of obedience of faith then we might understand that there is more going on inside of us than just being obedient. It seems the Lord can use us in more than just one way.

We understand from the scriptures that there are talents and gifts. There is discipleship and then there is training. They are not the same thing.

1 Timothy 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV) for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

2 Timothy 3:16 English Standard Version (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

If godliness has value in every way, then it cannot be in just one way. If the scriptures are profitable in so many different ways, then it cannot be profitable in just one way. In that same venue there are parts of us that are more than just one good thing and yet we struggle within ourselves to see just one good thing.

Psalm 107:9 English Standard Version (ESV) For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Good things, not just one thing.

Psalm 139:5-6 English Standard Version

⁵ You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

1 Timothy 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Years ago it was a common teaching that love is what we aim for and if we miss the mark we hav sinned. That is a guilt trip to those who are trying their best to love others. No one should be made to feel like they have failed God just because someone tells them they “missed the mark”.

Yesterday’s last line said “It is deflection.” Once we take aim and let that arrow fly we have done everything within our power. That arrow is now at the mercy of everything in the realm of the Prince of the power of the air. It can be deflected by forces that are no longer under our control.

Do not allow others to guilt honest efforts. We took a shot.

If there is anything that needs to be corrected in the way we love, the Holy Spirit will do His part to convict us of our behavior and correct our aim.

Psalm 139:23-24 English Standard Version

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!^{[cares] 24} And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

The footnote for thoughts was added to clarify the motivation of our thoughts, what we care about. There are nine Greek words for love and all of them are at our disposal. How we exhibit that love is more important than hitting a target we have no control over.

What if our aim was to love one person and we took aim and that love struck someone else? Is it possible that the deflection in that case served God’s will?

We should not say our aim has no effect.