The citizen., 1915-01-21

Indeed, Paul was
imprisoned as a result OF his service
TO Gentiles.
An Appeal
We stand fast In the Lord" These
words imply several things.
ID They had enemies; otherwise
they had not needed an exhortation to
steadfastness. Many seem unaware
that we wrestle against principali-
ties and powers In the heavenly
places" Even modern spiritualism.
so far as II Is not fraudulent, sug-
gests a great. shuddering world OF
evil spirits about us. while we slum.
Der they restlessly oppose us. and
we need TO take the whole armor OF
God II we would stand. How befit.
Ing this appeal In day when many
are slipping from their moorings OF
faith in the Word OF God.
90 They would need TO progress n
they were 10 stand fast. We gather
this from the use OF the word so"
This seems to send us back to the
previous chapter where we see Paul.
forgetting the things behind. pressing
toward the mark for the prize: so
We are TO stand fast In other words,
We may not stand still ~ we are TO
stand fast: as in riding a bicycle. the
only way TO stand is to keep NOV
ing.
t3) They had a secure position;
they were to stand fast I'm the Lord"
Reader. are you not In the church
merely. but in the Lord9" Main
tanning our position there, we are Sc
cure Charles Simeon. the Cambridge
scholar and saint, exerted a marvellous
influence in his day. In the early
hours OF the morning. he would be
heard walking In his study or on the
roof above II, and they knew he was
having communion with God. Main
tanning thus our position "in the
Lord" we shall be steadfast.
The Argument
Our text begins with therefore"
This leads US back TO the verses pre-
ceding. and we find in them high en-.
couragement to steadfastness.
% Our conversation (citizen.
ship. r. W Is In heaven" Philippi
was Roman colony. and many OF its
inhabitants were citizens OF Rome
This honor was highly appreciated,
and they would have endured much
for sake OF H. To have our names
IN the Lambs book. IN the city OF
God. is worth any price which stead.
may cost us.
t2) From whence also we look for |
the Savior. the Lord Jesus Christ"
The word look" indicates expect. |
ancy. like a garrison looking out for
or a mother watching |
for her boy. Such an attitude toward
the coming OF the Savior was common
In apostolic days. but is not so now.
Perhaps this is partly explained by
the fact that many think much OF
Christ coming as a Judge and they
are filed with terror. But the empha-
sic here is quite otherwise: we look
for "the Savior. the Lord Jesus
Christ" and should not Christians de
sire his appearing? There have been
star gazers who neglected practical
duties, but they are no more unscrip-
tural than those who attend TO other
duties. but do not look for the Lord.
He gave TO every man his work and
the porter to watch"
and watching make the full
program. Since Christ Is coming we
should stand fast.
go who shall change our vile
body, that 1t may be fashioned like
INTO his glorious. bodyf" When Arch.
bishop Whateley was dying his chap
ain read this passage TO him: Stop"
,aid the archbishop. mot vile body.
,ut body OF humiliation" Our bod.
es are not vile. but they do humble
Is. The TRANSPORTATION and the 40
lays after the resurrection hint the
glory that awaits US. Surely. We
should stand fasti
(4) "He Is able even to subdue all
hings unto himself" Voices shall be
ieard at least saying. "Alleluja; for
he Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
With such a helper We need not sur
'snder. $50 stand fast in the Lord"
Hold the fort. for am coming"
Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back 20 heaven.
by thy grace We Will"