THE K I NG ' S BUS I NESS railed to do yea, even if we are railed to follow our Lord in deep humilia- tion of self (vs. 5-8), we should still ao all things“ “ without murmuring “ The purpose for which we should abstain from all murmuring and dis puting, no matter what we are called to do, is that “ ye may be blameless and harmless (literally, “ unmixed”— so it would seem better to be translated 1|1| r, °,r “ slneere” or “ single-heart ed ). Only by “ doing all things with- out murmurings and disputings” can we be blameless and sincere.” ' So also will we be “ children of God ” The ^ ° rd 9 translated “ children” means begotten ones“ and the thought is that we will be those who are really begot ten of God, partaking of His own very nature (cf. 2 Pet. 1 :4), and we shall also be without blemish in the midst ot a crooked and perverse generation ” They would be what Israel failed to be (cf. Deut. 32:5, R. V.). “ A crooked and,,perverse (or, perverted) genera- . ? ls the opposite of “ a straight (or ’i?ous). and converted generation.” midst” of a “ crooked and per- verted world we are to live (cf. John 17:15). In the midst” of “ a crooked and perverted” world we are to be seen as luminaries” (R. V. and Mar- gin), stars in the darkness of the night (cf. Matt. 5:14-16). And what are we to do that we may thus be seen? “Hold- lng forth the word of life.” There is a little change in the figure here. We are to hold forth the word of life the word that brings life (John 6:68- 5- 24), the word of God (John 6:63) for men s consideration and acceptance ■ d Lor. 4:15). Bach individual Chris tian is to do this. The result of their doing this would be that Paul would have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that is (;he day of Christ’s com ing and the revelation of the real char acter of our work (cf. 1 Cor. 3:13-15) that he did not run in vain (the Chris- uan life is a hot race for a great prize (cf. ,1 Cor. 9:24), “ neither labored in vain (in the labor he had bestowed upon them). Paul looked forward to a recognition of the converts at Phil ippi at the Lord’s coming and to the joy over their progress (cf. 1 Thess. a. 1 «7 ) . SATURDAY, Oct. 5th. Phil. 2:17, 18. Paul has just spoken of having labored for them. The word trans lated “ labored” is a strong one, denot ing wearisome toil. But in these verses he goes beyond that. He says: If I am offered (literally, poured out
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as a drink offering) upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.” In this figure of speech he represents the Philippian saints as an altar-sacrifice (cf. Rom. 12:1) and he himself being poured out as a libation thereon (cf. Num. 15:. 3-10), his very life being poured out for them (cf. 2 Cor. 4:6, R. V. Margin). In this they would rejoice, and he, the victim, would rejoice with them. Such was his love for them. As he rejoiced with them even in the sacrifice of him self ‘in the same manner” he com mands them to ” joy and rejoice with” him. SUNDAY, Oct. 6th. Phil. 2:19-21. Paul now tells them of his “ hope” (R. V:) of sending Timothy to them quickly. This “ hope” was “ in the Lord Jesus.” Everything in the true Christian life moves in the sphere of union with Christ, springs out of union with Him (cf. John 15:1-7). Paul’s purpose in sending Timothy was that he might thus find out how things were going at Philippi, and might thus “ be good comfort“ when he knew of the things concerning them. The word translated “ be of good comfort” means literally “ be good, i. e. happy, souled.” They would be of good comfort when they received this letter and learned how well it went with him, and he on his part would be of good comfort when Timothy brought back a good report of ¿i11' His reason for sending Timothy rather than someone else was because he had no other man “ like minded,” or rather “ equal souled.” Timothy would care truly” (more literally, “ care gen uinely” ) regarding the things concern ing the Philippian believers. He would give genuine and careful attention to the things concerning them. We are told in 4:6 to be “ careful for nothing” but this is not inconsistent with giving careful thought to others (1 Cor. 12: S i 2 Cor. ,11:28, R. V.), though we should roll the burden of it upon the Lord (1 Pet. 5:7, R. V.). The reason why Paul had no other than Timothy like-souled was that “ they all seek their own (things), not the things of Jesus Christ. This is a very dark statement and yet how true it would be of many professed Christians today. How many how. very many, are really seeking their own things, their own ease, comfort honor, ambition, rather than whole heartedly seeking the things of Jesus Christ. Paul suffered bitter disap pointment in his helpers (2 Tim. 4:10) Perhaps Demas was one of those to
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