THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
814
16:14). (3) Because He causes Christ to dwell within us, forms an indwell ing Christ within us (Eph. 3:16-17), so that His coming to dwell within us is really a coming of Christ to dwell with us (John 14:16-18, 23). And now what is meant by “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”? The word translated “supply” means a supply that is large and abundant; and the whole phrase means that the Spirit was to be supplied continuously in larger measure than in the past to Paul. This would be, as the context shows, in answer to the prayers of the saints in Philippi (cf. Eph. 3:14-19). Thus Paul would have a fuller ‘salvation.” It is true that Paul had already received the Holy Spirit, and “since the Holy Spirit is a person when we receive Him we receive all there is of Him” ; but it is equally true (as this and many other passages clearly prove) that in experience the Holy Spirit is ministered to us by God, in answer to prayer, in ever increasing fulness (cf. Acts 4:31; Eph. 3:14-19; Gal. 3:5; Eph. 5:18). SATURDAY, September 20. Philippians 1 : 20 , 21 . All this that Paul has just been say ing was “according to an (my) earnest expectation (a very suggestive, pic torial word, ‘waiting with outstretched head’) and hope” that Paul entertained “that in nothing” should he “be put to shame,” but on the contrary “that with all boldness” (of speech—main tained by the supply of the Spirit just mentioned, cf. Acts 4:31; Eph. 6:19), “as always: so now also .Christ” should “be magnified in his (my) body.” This magnifying might be “by life” (i. e., by Paul’s living for Christ and in the power of Christ) “or, by death” (i. e., by Paul’s dying for Christ). It is evi dent that Paul was at this time at a crisis in his experience at Rome. Why should Christ be magnified in his body? Verse twenty-one answers the question: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” These are wonderful words, but very difficult of exact and full inter pretation, because of their marvelous depth. The “me” is very emphatic: not every man can say this, and it is to be greatly feared that many say it without realizing the import of the words they utter. But what do the words mean? It is hard to answer that question in words: it can be better answered in life. Paul meant, in part
FR IDAY , September 19 .
Philippians
1 :1 9 . In verse nineteen Paul gives an addi tional reason for rejoicing in the preaching of Christ out of party-spirit on the part of those who sought to raise up affliction for him in his bonds. This additional reason was, that he knew that this would turn out to his “salvation.” The word “salvation” ;is used in the New Testament in three senses. Sometimes it refers to the “salvation” that' we already possess in the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 2:8, R. V.; 2 Cor. 6:2; Eph. 1:7). Some times it refers to the “salvation” that we obtain day by day anew in being delivered from sin’s power and being made more and more into the likeness Of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Pet. 1:9; 2 Cor. 3:18). And sometimes it refers to our completed “salvation,” spirit, soul and body, at ,the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:5; Heb. 9:28; 1 Thess. 5:23 R. V.; Phil. 3:20, 21; Rom. 13:11; 1 Thess. 5:8). “Salvation” in verse 19 means “salva tion” in the second and third senses: Paul knew that the affliction and trial to which he was being subjected would work out bis spiritual growth and final glory. This is a blessed view to take of our trials (cf. Heb. 12:10, 11). But it was “through your supplication (intense prayer),” through the suppli cation of the saints in Philippi, that it would thus result in blessing for Paul. He is sure of the coming blessing and is equally sure of the efficacy of the means of it-^intercessory prayer.” Paul attributed the greatest importance to the prayers of God’s people and felt very dependent upon them (Rom. 15: 30; Cor. 1:11; Col. 4:3; 2 Thess. 3:1). Who can tell how much of the great usefulness ,and wonderful Ghrist- likeness of Paul’s life is due to the per sistent prayers of obscure saints, whose names we do not even know, but which are recorded in God’s ’book of remem brance? It would also be “through the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (cf. Gal. 3:5 R. V.) that these things would turn out to Paul’s “salvation.” “The Spirit of Jesus Christ” is one of the many names of the Holy Spirit. He is called “the Spirit of Jesus Christ: (1) Because He is sent by Jesus Christ (John 15:26), (2) Because His work all centers in Jesus Christ—He wit nesses of Christ (John 15:26), takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto us, thus glorifying Christ (John
Made with FlippingBook Online document