The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-02-09

great Apostle Paul. He was a man
who seldom said anything common
place. but from first to last his writ
ings bristle with truths of the high.
est import. The lesson verses OF to-
day are no exception. From the scrip
ture account OF the founding of the
church of Philippi. which by the way
was the first in what is now known as
Europe, it will be seen that Paul would
be specially drawn to it and the mem.
bership. 1t was at Philippi that he
found that godly woman Lydia, where
he drove the evil spirit from the young
woman who made a livelihood for her
owners by fortune telling, and where
took place the remarkable conversion
of the jailer who came trembling in
the night to Paul and Silas asking
what must do to be saved?"
1t was thus to a groupe of people
whom he loved that Paul wrote the
words of our lesson. OF course, they
were not perfect; they had just come
out of pagonism, were surrounded by
millions of unbelievers, and were max
ing hard fight to keep to the faith
with not much of light. 1t would
seem that they. had gotten into a way
of haughtiness of spirit, recognizing
social and class distinction, and the
beloved Paul writes them about the
matter. Note how he goes about it to
make his argument. He first reviews
to mind what the christian religion
stands for and gives to its believers.
He says it gives consolation through
belief in Christ; comfort in its love;
fellowship among members; the eXer-
else of mercy. This being the case,
Paul calls on the Philippian christians
and through them to every christian
now. to live up to what the church
of Jesus stands for.
True christian living in the light of
what has been told us lies in having
love one toward another; that all
dealings in life be without vain glory;
that spirit of lowliness be manifest,
the right of others considered and
even made uppermost; that there be-
ing no wrapping of self in sefishness,
only of ones own affairs and
property, but considering and think
ing of the interests OF others.
Certainly there can be no fault
found with this presentment of true
living.
There now comes one of the truly
great presentations of the mission Of
Jesus Christ to the world. Jesus is
presented as the most marked example
of humility. announcement of self for
others that the field of history has
produced. Jesus, the Son of God. put
away His exalted position, came to|
earth in the form of man. endured
the trials and veXatiOns Of common
submitted to an ignOble|
death on the cross, to make known the
rue character of God. and lead men
md women to true living by following
His words and believing on His name.
The" Philippian christians and all tot
'ollow were called upon to have the
same mind or spirit in them which
Himself for the sake of others.
Thus much for the humiliation. Read
Is to the reward. Paul declares that
because Of the act Of Jesus, He has
been. the more exalted. been given al
name above every. narne, and that in
lue time every tongue will confess
that He is Lord to Sthe glory Of God
he Father. The bible is full OF words.
showing. that the humble shall be ex-
,lted ana the proud in spirit abased:
hat those who go about to save their
,wn lives selfishly shall lose them.
,ut those wso seemingly lose their
ives for the sake Of Jesus shall find
hem with glory. l Bethink yourself Of
he people who IRE truly loved, hon
red, and the list will be made up of
hose who sacrificed for others, for
whom no act or place was too humble |
t by doing it or filling it comfort, ben
fit came to other people.
Finally Paul make call to the Phi
ippian christians and us also that all
tand HARMLESS, blameless, the sons
# God without rebuke in the midst
i q crooked and perverse nation
mong whom We shine as lights in the
World, holding forth the word OF life.
i