May, 1939
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
193
part and be with Christ. But he was ever mindful of that which would be “needful" for others. Hence he was willing to turn back from the alluring prospect of being with Christ, to endure the persecutions and the trials of earth. There was little of self- consideration in Paul’s philosophy; he would suffer for the elect’s sake (cf. 2 Tim. 2:10), and he would prefer the pur pose of Christ above anything that might promise personal enjoyment for himself. This passage answers the arguments ad vanced for the theory of soul sleep. Paul certainly would not desire “to depart, and to be with Christ” (v. 23), if that meant to become wholly unconscious of Christ. In the light of these words inspired by the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to believe that Paul has been unconscious of Christ for the past centuries since his decease. II. P aul ’ s P ractice (3:12-14) Paul was no sinless perfectionist, nor did he believe in the eradication of the old nature; whatever others might claim, he •could not count himself as having attained. But he had been apprehended for a certain purpose, and that purpose he would in turn apprehend, or lay hold upon, as the word really means. To do this, he faced the question, first, negatively. He could say, "I count not myself to have apprehended” (v. 13) ; that is, he had a wholesome regard for the need of much more working of the Spirit of God within him than he had expe rienced as yet. Then, positively, he de clared his practice to be threefold: He for got certain things; he put the past in its proper place. He reached forth to ' certain things; the glorious future in the presence of his Saviour was ever a motivating factor in his life. And he pressed toward the mark; in daily life, he never relaxed in concen tration upon this high calling. Some one has said, "He was addicted to his one ambi tion.” He spent no time in uselessly bemoaning any failures that might be in the past, nor in congratulating himself upon any sup posed successes. He did not delude him self with thoughts that his attainments were sufficient, but yearned for still deeper un derstanding of the glorious Person he served. III. P aul ’ s S atisfaction (2 Tim. 4:7, 8) There was a sense of satisfaction for Paul as he looked back over the path he had trod. By the grace of God, he could say he had fought a good fight—against the devil, the adversary of men’s souls. He had finished the course—a desperate race in which the flesh sought ever to win. And he had kept the faith, against all the philos ophies and sophistries of the world, and by divine enabling had proved worthy of the trust reposed in him by his Lord. He not only had accepted thè faith, but also had obeyed it. He had guarded it against all attacks, keeping it unadulterated, uncom promised, and inviolate. There was satisfaction also as he con sidered the prospect before him. He was about to "be with Christ; which is far bet ter” (Phil. 1:23) and be forever freed from the trials and persecutions, the coldness and the hunger, the burdens and the difficulties,
A BIBLICAL WAY TO EARN OR MAKE MONEY Ladies Aid, Debt, Missions or Self. Every family a poten tial prospect for this De Luxe edition of the King Jam es Edition of the FAM ILY BIBLE. Seven hundred and sixty* eight pages . . . each page 8% x 12 with red edge. Black cloth binding . . . gold stamped titles . . . sewed back binding . . . family history and references. Retails for $1.95, postage paid anywhere U. S. A. and possessions. Order fifty . . . your profit $50.00. Sell one hundred . .. your profit $75.00. Send money order $1.95 for introductory sample by return mail. F a m i l y B i b l e D i s t r i b u t o r s 14 Camp Hill • Pennsylvania
Teach the International Uniform Sunday School Lessons by means of our new Manual o f Visual Teaching Through the Eye to the Heart
SOMETH ING NEW!
SOMETH ING C LEVER !
A Teacher’s Quarterly for the younger classes containing material for relating and applying the lesson by means of object talks. Art cut-outs and full instructions for visual teaching are included in the Manual. A simple, inexpensive, fascinating method of teaching the International Sunday School lessons that will combine action with speech.
SPECIAL OFFER— For a short time we will send one intro ductory copy for only 50 cents. C H R I S T I A N P U B L I C A T I O N S , I NC . IS IS THIRD ST R EE T . . . HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker