In this epistle there is an expression of the walk of the child of God in this world, yet as not of it; the opposing circumstances all recognized and left as they are, left rather as a means by which the true life may be manifested in its fullness and sweetness and heavenly character than as a hindrance or occasion of stumbling. It is a life sprung from the wonderful facts of God in our calling and standing and hope, sensitive to all that is evil here, but having one Object in the heavenly glory, the risen Man, Christ Jesus, and moving onward to Him, directly to be with Him, and like Him in spirit and mind and body; and so yielding all things for that; and overrunning with joy all the time. There is no specific doctrine taught, although the resurrection, standing and heavenly calling of the believer, the present truth, underlies all. This is Paul's gospel.
It comes from Paul, the prisoner in bonds in Rome, with the possibility of death by violence before him, upon the occasion of the assembly at Philippi, having renewed their tokens of fellowship by the hands of Epaphroditus, ministering to the bodily necessities of the suffering apostle. They themselves were sharers by community of feeling, if not actually, in his trials, and likely to be called upon to endure persecution at any time. Its aim is to have them grasp by the mind the wonderful things of God given to them, richly and forever theirs. It is a plea in itself for a deep spiritual intelligence of all that God has done for them, and a triumphant marching along unmoved by aught else, the Lord in the glory commanding all the soul. It is also marked by the recognition of the absence of the apostle. True, he was not at other places to which he wrote, but in those cases he lays no stress upon the fact, makes no mention, indeed, of it, for he hoped in most cases to see them. But now the possibility of his being put to death gives occasion to the Holy Spirit to make mention of the absence of the apostle, and to give instructions with reference to that, which applies to us as well.
It is thus casting all upon God directly, and showing the paramount authority of the Word of God. Throughout it all the rich affections of the heart are rehearsed, the sweet unity of the body having been practically shown by the care and gifts of those beloved members of Christ to him who was a gift of great blessing always.
Philippians 1:1-51Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; (Philippians 1:1‑5). "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons. Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." This is sweet and touching, associating Timothy, his dear son in the gospel of the glory, with himself, as a bondsman of Christ Jesus, and, while addressing all as saints, especially naming the bishops and deacons—these voluntary servants to their brethren for the Lord's sake. Paul and Timothy were bondservants, slaves bought by the Lord Jesus, and without a will of their own, sent at His bidding alone, and their service was constant and partook of the character of the Lord. The bishops or overseers were the same as the elders, the former name suggesting the functions of their office, the latter their age and dignity, personally. They were not elected or chosen by the assemblies, a plurality being in each assembly. In the absence of the apostle, his teaching would come in to show how to recognize them, as is seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:1212And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (1 Thessalonians 5:12), where they are told to know or recognize such; that is, spiritually discern and yield to them; they, acting by the Spirit of God, moving them to the work. So in 1 Corinthians 16:1515I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) (1 Corinthians 16:15), the household of Stephanas addicted themselves to the ministry and were to be recognized. The deacons, or servants, were voluntary also and associated with the local assemblies, probably caring for the local needs and taking charge of moneys or whatever was committed to their trust. The prominence given to these offices of precious and loving service seems to indicate and accord with the nature and teaching of the whole letter, serving one another in love. They had thus acted toward him, and possibly through the overseers and deacons as their representatives in this ministration. The spiritual marks by which such may be discerned now or at any time are given in 1 Timothy 3. "Saints" is the title God gives his own in Christ, as holy and separated ones, cut off from the world and joined to Him, and it belongs to all without reference to attainment or walk or knowledge of the truth. All the saved are saints as belonging to the Lord. It is therefore dishonoring to the Lord to refuse it or apply it to a few only, and especially according to human decisions.
“In Christ Jesus." The title, Christ, or anointed, the Messiah, was made good in resurrection, as Peter says, "God has made Him both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2). "Christ Jesus" is most frequently used by Paul. It sets before us the Man in heaven, who was down here on the cross, beginning thus with Him up there, while "Jesus Christ" would begin with Him down here and then see Him exalted, “Christ" having to do with resurrection. So the apostle is a servant of Christ Jesus, and the brethren are saints in Christ Jesus.
Thus we see the local assembly in the beginning, having its officers and servants, recognized by the Holy Spirit acting by the presence of God among and in them without the apostle's presence, but fully competent to worship and enjoy fellowship with the Lord and His dear servants; and so a cause of deep and constant thankfulness to him who was bound in Rome, yet heard of their walk and service and partook of the profits of their remembrance of him.
Philippians 1:6,76Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (Philippians 1:6‑7). "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform (finish) it until the day of Christ. Even as it is right in me to think this of you all, because you have me in your heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel; all of you being partakers of my grace." (It is not "I have you in my heart," but as above.)
Salvation is looked upon in the Scriptures in three aspects: as a past thing, the result of faith in Christ, and from the moment of believing; as present, to be maintained by the power of God, in which we are to grow as to its expression in life; and as future, the body and soul both saved in the glory at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter speaks of receiving now the end of our faith, the salvation of the soul, and of a salvation ready to be revealed at the appearing of Christ. This epistle having to do with simple Christian living, speaks of salvation as a matter yet to be brought out, lived out, and thus it is that the word is given that He who began the work by saving the soul will complete it to the day of Christ. The life, in accordance with the work wrought in the believer, will be accomplished. And this was assured because they had him (Paul) in their hearts. It was not simply him as a sufferer or as a believer, a brother beloved, but as the apostle and minister of the peculiar truth. Paul became a test of the spiritual condition of the disciples of that day, and of this also. As they received and valued him, so they did his truth. And this is in accordance with the word in Colossians 1:2323If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1:23), and the opposite of it is found in 2 Timothy 1:1515This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15), and its prevention in 2 Timothy 1:1313Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13). They only who are holding Paul dear, thus, are holding God's ground.
The Philippians valued him greatly, holding him in their hearts, manifesting it in ministering to his wants more than once while a prisoner, and in their fellowship in defense of the truth and its maintenance, so being partakers of his favor, linked with him in the heavenly things of God. How easy then to write to such, where holding fast the heavenly calling and hope, and having Christ in the glory before them, no rebuke for worldliness or evil doctrine was needed. It is this, doubtless, that gives occasion to the Holy Spirit to mention the bishops and deacons. When all was according to God's mind, built on Paul's doctrine of the assembly, these officers were found in their places. When the ground is lost to the faith and the person of Christ—what He is to the heart—the conscience, dulled yet troubled, attempts an imitation of these servants, and so come the election and appointment by man of such officers, and oftentimes the selfish methods of political life in securing such. The secret of right walk as to the assembly is the holding tenaciously, and without mixture, Paul's teaching.
Philippians 1:8-118For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:8‑11). "For God is my witness how greatly I long after you all in the tender affections of Christ Jesus. And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and all judgment, that ye may test things that differ, that ye may be sincere (incorrupt) and without offense till (or for) the day of Christ, being filled with the fruit of righteousness which is through Jesus Christ unto the praise and glory of God." He who asks his readers to pray for him tells the special petitions offered for them. With a deep longing for these dear saints, his petitions take the current of their love, that it may abound more and more.
Love is the principal thing; for where it is, all other things flow out in their place. Love, by the Holy Spirit pouring forth in our hearts God's love, corrects the judgment as in Romans 5:5,65And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:5‑6), where this love is followed by the more blessed reasoning from the love of God. In 1 Corinthians 13 it is placed above gifts and as the true exercise of gifts and the result imparted by all gifts. It is of God (1 John 4); the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:88Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)). It is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5), the first named, and by it the heart is opened to take in all truth and to act in wisdom. Here the prayer is that it may abound in knowledge and judgment, teaching the mind to discern things that differ. True love can detect untruth, for untruth is destructive and selfish in its end. The liar and the murderer are the same, the evil one. So our Head and Lord is full of grace and truth. Love that allows evil is false. A heart surcharged with God's love is fitted to go through this wretchedly false scene, filled with the lying snares of the adversary, while simple knowledge would blunder and stumble and be misled continually. It is sot the keenest intellect nor the most wide-awake ways that will detect evil, but the heart fixed on Christ and receiving His grace continually, as the child, walking in the sunshine, happy in being in company with its parent, is safest.
The second thing desired, as following from this abounding love, is that they might be incorrupt and without offense till the day of Christ. And surely love works no ill to any, but benefits and builds up and helps, in wholesome ways, everybody, everywhere. They who love most are most spiritual, not they who know the most by the mere accumulations of the mind. Love abnegates self, the cause of all offenses, and lets out God to act upon all, shedding a glow and warmth and sunshine always, just as God makes His sun shine upon the evil and the good. This must of course spring from within and not depend for its action upon the character of its object. The entire time here is to be thus filled up till the Lord shall come.
The third desire is for the fruits of righteousness through Christ Jesus, unto the praise and glory of God; that is to bring out the excellence of God, to manifest what He is. Here there is simple Christian life superabounding in love, resulting in knowledge and judgment, discerning the right way, incorrupt and righteous and praising God. What honor does God put upon love, which is of Himself, which is His own nature. This is the secret of life to His glory, not a set effort to do something, but keeping the heart simple and open as a channel for His own love. God is more honored by that which is like Himself, the simple letting Him be all, than by any exploits or efforts of our own. This is the true achievement. He has lived most who has sown most of God broadcast, and to the best purpose; who shows the tender, unselfish love of Christ, the surrendering of all things to God and to men; whose heart, happy in the Lord Jesus, abounds in intelligent worship, so making known the wonders of God's grace and the excellencies of Christ.
God's great complaint against man is that he would not be happy with and in Him, infinitely worthy of all homage and delight. And this has been His great purpose from the beginning. The light given in creation was to lead men to worship, but he turned and worshiped the creature rather than the Creator. Then, in Israel, with vastly more of God revealed in ways of kindness as well as power, the same thing was sought with the same abject result. They turned to idols before His face, and while receiving His benefactions. And now the final, complete revelation of all that is in His heart has been made, that man might have fellowship with Him and exult in His presence.
Each of the sons in Luke 15 showed this disposition in wanting to be away from the father, the younger getting far away, the elder complaining that he could never make merry with his own friends. But the son brought back by love, and embraced and clothed, showed most of the glory of the father and his house by wearing the robe and shoes and ring he gave him, and sitting at the feast and becoming the occasion of the music and dancing and joy.
Philippians 1:1212But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; (Philippians 1:12). "But I would you should understand, brethren, that the things that happened to me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." Here, then, was the enemy defeated vastly more than when Paul, taking counsel of his own will, went up to Jerusalem, and then stumbled along, attempting to extricate himself from the hands of the Jews; though there the Lord Jesus was confessed. But now in God's hands, the object of His tender care, though in bonds, he was His ambassador, and all things were made to turn to testimony, and God was honoring the gospel of His infinite grace.
Philippians 1:1313So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; (Philippians 1:13). "So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Pretorium and to all the rest." This was the imperial guard to which Paul was delivered, and by whom he was kept and watched during his imprisonment of two years. Some of them attended him all the time, hearing all that he spoke to others, both to Jew and to Gentile and to the brethren; and thus the gospel was made known with his bonds.
Philippians 1:1414And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:14). "And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." It would seem likely that at the first of his imprisonment fear kept the brethren with him quiet, but, by his continued imprisonment rather than being put to death, they became more confident. There was at first little opposition to the followers of the Lord Jesus, the real persecution beginning later; and as there was nothing further done to Paul, brethren in the truth went forth to speak as he had taught them; while others, from his being in bonds on account of the hatred of the Jews, may have taken occasion to speak boldly for the law and circumcision, though speaking the name of Christ.
Philippians 1:1616The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: (Philippians 1:16). " The one out of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel, but the other of contention (or factiousness), are preaching the Christ not sincerely (in simplicity), thinking to add afflictions to my bonds.”
Philippians 1:1818What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (Philippians 1:18). "What then? Notwithstanding in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed; and in this I rejoice; yea, and I will rejoice." He whose heart is fastened on the Lord cannot be moved by circumstances; he cannot be elated or depressed by what men do. All things are seen in the light of His countenance. This makes life very simple, having one will to please and obey. Our Lord Himself in the Psalm said "I foresaw Jehovah always before me; because He is on my right hand I shall not be moved." Here is power, only to have Him before us. Then all responsibility as to the thing we are doing is thrown back on Him, ours being only to do as He tells us.
But what can the world or the devil do with such a man? Whatever comes, is only another means of glorifying the Lord Jesus. This is not alone for an apostle divinely set for the defense of the gospel, nor for the servant of the Lord in active service, but for the most obscure child of God. Let the Lord Jesus be the great circumstance, casting out all others, and it will be found that He will demonstrate that He is greater that is for us than all that can be against us.
It may take the simple heart and simple faith to snatch victory from apparent defeat, to rise above everything, and rejoice that the name of Christ is declared; but what is faith for but just such cases? Here, then, at the center of authority of the world, on the Palatine Hill in Rome, sat a conqueror, the conqueror of the world; but it was not Caesar, arrayed in state and the insignia of royalty, but one of the most closely bound of his prisoners, the leader of a sect everywhere spoken against.
But the blessed thing was that he could say these confident things, though he himself had made mistakes, and probably by his own willfulness had come to this end. Here is the real victory, -to assert the power of God when we are proved to have been in the wrong, for Satan would bring shame to keep us from boasting on such occasions. The heart that was thus strong could give force to the testimony; and they that attended the prisoner heard no uncertain sound there, from beneath the walls of Nero's palace. Power, which was Rome's boasted characteristic, had at last come to the imperial city, the power of God unto salvation, made known by one whose bodily presence was contemptible and whose speech was weak.
Power belongs unto God alone, and when he takes up an instrument by His grace made for His hand, He can show His might so that all that man and Satan can do is nothing against it. Rome had been the scene of many triumphs, but here was one being enacted by one who was more than conqueror through Him that loved him, which excelled all.
But even this should turn out to salvation! God would make use of that one precious name to spread the knowledge of His Son and the result of His death and resurrection. Their prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the former uniting with His and taking in the circumstances and bearing all before God; and the latter using all as methods of blessing, overriding the design of the enemy and using the gospel, itself the power of God unto salvation, would result in that for which the word was sent forth. Moreover, this salvation would exhibit itself in his own testimony in all boldness at the hour of trial, so that, as he fully expected and hoped, he should come behind in nothing, and nowise be put to shame, and thus Christ would be magnified whether by his death or life. This is sharing in the triumph of Christ and being filled with His peace. This is a model for the redeemed of the Lord amidst all circumstances. What victors are they meant to be, and amply supplied, whether by opposition or reception, whether by good report or evil, to be always more than conquerors! Christ magnified, is the true end of salvation; better than delivering the body out of danger or prison or death; it is the true victory, lifting the faith, the life, into the scene of Christ's living.
These things but brought out the true fellowship of these saints with him and their prayers for him, and also the sufficiency of the Spirit to supply all his need; and thus, as he had told them that He who had begun the good work in them would complete it to the day of Christ, so would it be with himself; Christ should be exalted, let it be as it would be with him.
Philippians 1:2020According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (Philippians 1:20). For to him life was Christ, and living was but to manifest Christ; dying, gain, for he would be with Him. Here then is a sweet illustration, in the person of the apostle, of the essential principle of this epistle, salvation lived out; not simply a sense or condition of security, present or future, but a mode of living. Can anything be finer than that? What a depth it gives to the epistle, what a wealth to that which God has wrought in us! Saved, to have a life which is Christ.
It may have been that the word of Job (Job 13:1616He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. (Job 13:16)) was present to the mind of the apostle, as he seems to quote, "He shall be my salvation," declared by the patriarch in answer to the charge of hypocrisy and the threat of the hypocrite's doom by Zophar the Naamathite. But how are they enriched by the confidence of life in Christ now risen, which Job could not know.
Philippians 1:2222But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. (Philippians 1:22). "But if I live, this is the fruit of my labor." It would be but to live Christ, enjoy Christ, talk of Christ, and this would make labor so sweet that he knew not which to choose. It would be Christ all the time, at any rate, either here or with Him waiting for the glory. To die was gain, to be with Christ far better as to the circumstances, so that Nero or the envious Jews, his accusers, would at the worst of their doing but send him the sooner to the One who was his life. This is reality and eternal life begun here, so that even to go to the Lord Himself is not preferred, but left to the Lord's own choice. Here, it was Christ's own needing him a little longer, and yonder, it was Christ Himself. No wonder, as to personal choice, he was in a strait betwixt two. It was not to go to sleep in unconsciousness, but to go directly to the Lord. So it was not being clothed upon with the risen body, but it was to be with the Lord, apart from all weaknesses and sinning here; out of all persecution and the sight of evil; entering into fellowship with the Lord in the article of death itself, testing him in the moment of supreme weakness of, and separation from, the body. It was to have the quiet living apart with Him, the Spirit gathering up the wondrous elements of bliss and salvation without the limitation that this body of death gives. It was gain; it was better, far better. For this, one is willing to be absent from the body, though the end of our hope is the reigning with Him in the new body, the manifestation for His own sake, when He shall be admired in all those that believe, and glorified in all His saints, whether earthly or heavenly.
Philippians 1:2424Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (Philippians 1:24). But he who belonged to Him, who emptied himself, could not think of self even in view of all this rest and joy. "To abide in the flesh is more needful for you." That settled the strait.
Philippians 1:2626That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:26). "That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Christ Jesus for me by my coming to you again." There is no recognition of the Roman authorities and what Nero might determine in regard to his life. All is judged in the light of God's will only. There is need for him to live, and these beloved saints shall see him again with joy. This is as it should be.-
What have the children of God to do with looking lower than God and His will? A servant is at his Lord's bidding, and is not subject to any intermediate person or thing. It is the simplicity of the divine life of faith, having the heart on the Lord Jesus alone. Departing to be with Christ. If He tarry, it is for us to await His summons only, and make no calculations founded on the objects of sense. And yet for himself he longed to go; only, as the Lord gave up His will, so His servant can wait to go home till the need of his stay is past. Among the saints there is to be joy, and his denying himself the repose of heaven contributed to it. This is the high order of simple Christian walk and fellowship.
The exhortations that follow may well come from the heart of such an one as this. They are from one well learned in the things he asks of them, and form the substance of chapter 2 (Philippians 2).
Philippians 1:2727Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Philippians 1:27). "Only in a manner worthy of the glad tidings of Christ, order your life (use your citizenship) that whether I come to see you or else be absent, I may hear concerning you that you are standing fast in one spirit, with one soul contending for the faith of the glad tidings." Simply that, living as heavenly citizens, happy in the wondrous grace received, united, and steadfastly holding the ground of the truth.
It is the fight of Ephesians 6, for the gospel they had received placed them in Christ in heaven, and citizenship is there. The message from that land must needs take us out of this. There is no other testimony, no other call to-day than to the scene out of all this.
God gives but one style of testimony, one character of blessing at a time. In the day when He called Israel to go out of Egypt into Canaan, there may have been others besides them that knew the true God and were retaining the testimony given to and from Noah. But such, as the father-in-law of Moses, himself not of Israel, were invited to join them, for Jehovah had given them an especial gospel, the good news of the land. Moses in his invitation said, "Jehovah hath spoken good concerning us." The land was the object for that day, and all faith would hold to it, and the walk must correspond to that news. So we are to order the whole life as those of the heavens, as risen men who have died to the flesh; the world, sin and the law; whose home, just before them, is the glory with Christ. Our Father has spoken good concerning us, giving us title to all that is Christ's.
The apostle had, in the days of his freedom, gone everywhere, establishing the assemblies in this truth, and his presence was needful, as he was the administrator of the truth for the assembly. His presence bore authority in assembly matters, and in a true sense he represented the assembly.
But now he is absent in body, so that his truth must be committed to writing, and then, instead of being the pattern for the assembly in his life, they could not see it. This is one peculiarity of this epistle, and prominence is given to this fact, and teaching is given in accordance with it. The exhortation begun here reaches through verse 18 of chapter 2 (Philippians 2:1818For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:18)). It is committing them to the place in which we are who follow, that of having his teaching and the Holy Spirit to open and enforce it and God to work in us.
Here was the transition from having Paul's presence to relying on God alone. Thus it is he would have them act in the truth in his absence as in his presence, that he might while he still remained in the body hear of their fidelity to it, not saying that he would die, but the possibility of dying being before him, while apprehending their need of him, and assured that he would still tarry.
Philippians 1:2828And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. (Philippians 1:28). But in nothing were they to be terrified by their adversaries. This is in keeping with the position and the truth given, for God who had done all, is so near and so strong and so absolutely the One who does all, that the eye on Him sees the enemy already conquered and all that comes of trial and persecution but by His own love.
The true triumph of living in Christ is that none of these things move us. What could they do to one who has nothing here to lose or gain, whose interests are all above, who is only longing to depart and be with Christ? This very calmness amidst all threatenings and persecutions tells of a power beyond one's own will, the power of God, the presence of the Spirit of God; that power which shall directly come out in judgment upon the enemy. Thus it becomes a token of doom, of perdition, to the enemy, while it is the token of salvation to the believer exercised therein. It is because he is saved that God thus takes care of His own, giving quiet amidst all convulsion and opposition.
Philippians 1:29-3029For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. (Philippians 1:29‑30). "For unto you was it given (as a favor), in behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which ye saw in me and now hear to be in me." It cost much to be a believer in the risen Christ, but it gave ample returns; it separated, but it united also; it took out of the world, but it brought into the circle of God's highest blessings, His richest thoughts; it brought contumely here among men, but glory and honor in the heavens. They were the outcasts of the earth, but the elect and the elite of God.
So great, so lavish was the wealth into which they had come that it transformed everything into good, illuminated every dark place; glorified every scar and wound received for Christ's sake; translated and transfigured stripes into a gift from God akin to the salvation wrought by Him, bringing into company with Him who endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself.
And such is the way for us; for he through whom the truth was given had to endure hardness as a soldier, labor as an husbandman, and encounter persecutions as an evildoer; and the same conflict is still going on for those who live godly in Christ Jesus. But the glory in the presence of the Lord Jesus is worth it all, and it shall blot out all remembrance of these trials, as it soothes and strengthens to endure them with joyfulness now. But what an elevation and Christian living!