PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE CHRISTIANS AT PHILIPPI.
BY C.M.W.
Paul, in his prayer for the
Philippians, voiced their especial need. If we can find that the expression of
their living faith is our daily life, then this prayer may be written in Heaven
for us, and we may find answers of peace returning upon our souls.
About the time of Paul’s
second appearance before Nero, he wrote Timothy, his well-beloved son, then
Bishop of the Church at Ephesus, asking him to do his diligence to be with him
before winter in Rome. And when this Epistle was written, Timothy was with him.
That they talked together of the interests of the Church at Philippi, as well
as the Church at Ephesus, we cannot doubt; for the greeting and benediction was
from the united heart of “Paul and Timotheus, servants of Jesus Christ.”
There is a beautiful
expression of the personal relation between Paul and the Church at Philippi.
Their fellowship in the gospel had been begotten in that first day of his
ministration unto them0that Sabbath day, when, having talked with the women who
resorted to the river side to pray, Lydia, whose heart God touched, received
Paul into her house. This nucleus of a church, so received the gospel of Christ
that once and again they ministered unto Paul’s need, during his stay at
Ephesus, though that stay was limited to the “three Sabbath days.”
This first evidence of God’s
touch upon their hearts, these overflowings of love, were “an odor of a sweet
smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” Not that Paul desired a
gift, but he did seek and receive the fruit that increased to their account.
And so returned to them the blessed assurance, “My God shall supply all your
need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Such a letter of credit
should be enough for any! It blessed the Philippians and will pour its fullness
upon any who have the same fellowship in the matter of giving and receiving.
Many miss this benediction for want of the scattering, for they know too well
the withholding that tendeth only to poverty.
There is a great confidence
in Paul’s opening word, “He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform
it until the day of Jesus Christ.” A confidence which speaks, a steady, quiet,
overflowing stream, of such depth and majesty that the surface-disturbance need
not be regarded. It was a life grown and growing, from incorruptible seed; and
while first unquenchable might burn, while chaff remained to be consumed, there
was under the husk true wheat, and a garner waiting for the gathering.
This life of clear steady
purpose knew Paul in prison and had a fellowship with him in bods. Yea, it had
been granted unto him, “not only to believe on Christ, but also to suffer for
His sake.” And Paul, having them so in his heart that he was a strait betwixt
two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, and yet knowing it needful
for them that he should abide in the flesh for their progress in the gospel and
their joy in the faith, set before them in their relation to each other and to
their inner selves, the mind he had learned to know so well, the “mind which
was in Christ Jesus;” that mind, which can be shown in no better words than
those chosen of the Holy Ghost and preserved for all who, having ears, hear
their spoken utterance.
“… Who emptied Himself,
taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and being
found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself becoming obedient even unto
death, yea, the death of the cross.”
O Paul, when, standing before
Nero in your first defense, all forsook you, as they did your master, did you
not, finding yourself in fashion as a man, have to humble yourself, becoming obedient
to death? O ye Philippians, as ye walked even as ye had Paul for an example,
pressing towards the goal for the prize of the high calling of God, in leaving
the things that were behind, in counting all but dung that ye might win Christ,
did ye not, finding yourselves in fashion as men, have to humble yourselves to
meet death?
Are there Philippians among
us? Those who, having the same faith, walk by the same rule? Then hear your
prayer-
“And this Pray, that your
love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye
may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without
offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
which are through Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.”
As day by day your love
abounds more and yet more, knowledge and true discernment will increase. The
better mind will approve things that are excellent; things that are true,
honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report. With sincerity and without
offense before God, you will wait the changing your body of humiliation into
the fashion of His glorious body; wait, knowing that He is able, in His
working, to subdue all things in you, unto Himself. Filled with fruits of
righteousness the paeans of rejoicings of this Epistle will ring through all
your days. In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, your
requests will be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Now, unto our God and Father
be the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
