03.12. LESSON 12

LESSON 12

We are come to our last “study” in Philippians. The book is eminently Christian because it shows what the Christian religion will do for an earnest man, even when circumstances, humanly speaking, are most unfavorable. The final test of any religion or philosophy is the courage and hope it gives its adherents for the deep needs and heavy burdens of life. It is just to judge both Christianity and idolatry by what they do for men. In this respect Chris­tianity outstrips all other religions and philosophies im­measurably. The book portrays a man, who, instead of being timid, cynical, and despairing as by all human reckoning he should be, is fearless, joyous, ready, and saying, “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.” Surely, Paul is the best ex­ample of what a man, in the strength that God supplies, can take without becoming discouraged and broken in spirit; surely, the best interpretation of his own doctrine: “God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Paul is ever serene and sober; never gloomy nor gay; always eager and strong. And since he exhorts the Philippians to imitate him, he must know that they have access to the same divine power that sustains him.

Need it be repeated that Paul’s miraculous gifts con­tributed nothing directly to his moral growth and spiritual character? As all Christians have the opportunity of do­ing, he learned by the experience of fulfilled faith the secret of letting God by his overruling providence, work out for him either want or abundance as he saw good; learned to see that joy or pain, as God willed, would contribute to his life. Who but God can know infallibly whether in a given case apparent success or failure is better for his child and his church? God has non-miraculous, superhuman wisdom and strength for all Christians (and farmers too) who want them, and are willing to cooperate with him. Paul prays for the Ephesians: “That ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:20-21). A Protest Considered

Some question that the triune God through the medium of, and in conjunction with, his written word gives aid and power to Christians beyond the written word itself, on the ground that they do not see HOW he can do it. If he does not, what is prayer? Does not this protest overlook the truth that “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), and take the matter out of the realm of faith altogether? Paul having tested this doctrine in the laboratory of Chris­tian experience for many years, writes the Philippians that he finds it to be true. But he never tries to explain the philosophy of its workings. Indeed, he tells other churches. as he tells the Philippians, that, though it “passeth all understanding” and transcends all human thought, it actu­ally works, and that he knows by verified faith that deliv­erance, endurance, and strength, according to his need, are unfailingly at hand; that in the thick of battle, he never finds himself unarmed; that his natural strength is always supplemented and strengthened. With the whole Bible contrary to this protest, how can the doctrine of God’s spe­cial providence be incredible? The nature of faith is everywhere the same. Christ’s parables hang by the truth that nature and religion operate on similar principles. The faith of neither scientists nor Christians can be validated by abstract reasoning. Men of scientific faith, acting upon it, find it verified by the response of nature. Likewise, men of Christian faith, act­ing upon it, find it verified by the response of Christianity. In both realms, progress and assurance come only by way of the “obedience of faith.” In neither do men get beyond faith and hope as fulfilled in experience. In this way Paul learned his “secret,” and found life and peace. He could be happy anywhere; Nero could be happy nowhere.

Christ invites men only to give his way of life a trial, and see if things do not come out all right. Without argu­ment, he throws down the challenge to faith, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This takes faith in him. Abstract reasoning and formal logic have great, even fatal, limitations. Paul’s life of verified faith in Christ is the true interpretation, demonstration, and vindication of the faith Christ asks, deserves and expects. Faith is life’s most challenging and wonderful achievement.

Christianity at Work When Paul’s foes at Corinth accused him of preaching for money, he, knowing that if the church believed this, his in­fluence for good among them was ended, refuted the slander by refusing all money from them (1 Corinthians 9:1-27). He thanks Philippi eloquently for repeatedly sending to his “need,” yet in such a manner as to show his own relative unconcern about such, and to give the church a blank check signedly by his rich God (Php 4:4-19). In the chapter that tells about Paul’s refusing money is his fullest teaching that a preacher of the gospel “should live of the gospel.” In Christian liberty however, lest the gospel suffer harm, he waived this right in Corinth. Paul always preached the gospel in the spirit of the gospel. Preachers especially need to take Paul’s example to heart. They may even use the pulpit, as other men use the bar or the theater, for self-display and gain.

We can understand Paul’s death to the world and his other worldliness only if we understand Christianity. The story of the paralytic in John 5:1-47 is a parabolic representa­tion of Christianity at work. After the cripple manifested a willingness to “be made whole,” Jesus said: “Arise . . . and walk.” And behold! when he tried, he found that supernatural power was being communicated, for he actu­ally could walk, the first step in 38 years. This bodily miracle is symbolic of the supernatural change which takes place in the maimed spirits of men when they, despairing of natural means, are willing to be made whole by the crea­tive life and power of God as he touches and impregnates their broken lives. Of course he uses his written word as essential means, but to mistake means for end is to become encased in forms: and this makes Pharisees, not Christians. Men dead in trespasses and sins by cooperating with God always find themselves enabled to “do all things in him that strengtheneth.” John 5:1-47 continues the parallel be­tween these healings, calls healing the spirit the greater work, and has Christ saying that not the scripture, but he himself gives life (John 5:40). Both creating man in the beginning and re-creating fallen man now are God’s own personal work—Person must contact person, Spirit breathe on spirit. Paul was a man of great natural gifts who gave himself greatly to the triune God’s great redemptive move­ment. Could the church in Philippi after this letter still be divided and despondent?

QUESTIONS 1.What is the proper test of any religion?

2.    Did Christianity step up Paul’s natural strength, and vitalize and energize his personality? or did it weaken his will and initiative, and depersonalize him?

3.    Show that the workings of faith in physical nature and in Christianity are similar.

4.    Is the nature and power of truth in any realm ever weakened just because said truth transcends human understanding?

5.    Why did Paul refuse a salary from Corinth?

6.    Flow does Christ’s restoring the paralytic (John 5:1-9) il­lustrate his restoring the otherwise hopelessly maimed spirits of all men?

7.    Can a sinner be born of God without God’s imparting spiritual life to him?

8.    What is the function of the Scriptures in effecting this im­partation of spiritual life? (See John 5:39-40).

9.    How is it that Christians today can better understand the constitution, purpose, and practical workings of their religion because the Holy Spirit moved Paul to write so much about himself?