PHILIPPIANS together of me" (3:17). Such a walk will always be in harmony with other Christians. The original words imply an ordered and a har monious arrangement. C. S. Lewis imagined the church of Jesus Christ to be something like a fleet of ships sailing in for mation. They all need a common goal. Sp iritually speaking, this means that the goal must first be set for the believer by the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always be conscious of what is before us. Each ship must be steered in such a way that it does not collide with the others or hinder their progress. There must be spiritual harmony with other believers before we can succeed individually or as a body. We should be concerned and w ill ing to cooperate in all common Christian objectives. On this point, the unbeliever of the world does not understand that one cannot work together with those who are not in harmony with the Bible. As we walk with the Lord, we take our orders from Him and not from one another. Paul makes this clear (3:16). The Roman soldier did not take his instructions from the man who was walking beside him. His commander told him what to do. This does not come through a mystical experience but rather by a thorough knowledge of the Word of God (Psalm 1:1 ,2). Think of the blessings promised to individuals as the result of a per sonal and prayerful study of the Scriptures. Is this what is taking place in our lives? Cod's Word says, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh." It can never be any thing else. "That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit." To experience the divine life we must experience
it in the only way possible. It is as the Holy Spirit penetrates our hearts through the living Word. There is also the matter of our sanctification. This signifies a deep er walk with the Lord in regular fellowship and communion with Him. In the original "to sanctify" means to make holy (John 17:17). How foolish when some individu als seek this holiness outside of the reading of Scripture. It does not come through other literature, attending religious services, special emotional experiences, or in a sense of mysticism. Again, God's methods of sanctification are all wrapped up in the teachings of the Scriptures. God's Word contains unshakable truths and great prin ciples through which we can grow more into the stature and likeness of our blessed Lord. There is always a real need in the life of a believer to beware of those who would seek to put forth false teaching of any type. This is why in the epistles which Paul penned, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he is careful to give his own personal credentials. In Philippians 3, beginning with verse four, he goes over those things which, humanly speaking, were important to the people of his day. After his conversion to Jesus Christ all of the things he had once considered gain he now looked at as nothing more than refuse. His spiritual objectives are then outlined in verses 9 to 14. As we continue in our study in this important book we find the unity through the body of Jesus Christ. We need to have hearts of compassion toward one another, even as the Lord has had for us. The non-believer does not think
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