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274 THE CONVENTION TEACHER

The increase of love is the main thing in religion.

(10) That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Love issuing in spiritual discernment would enable them to recognize, to test, to prove things that are excellent. that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ —That they may be judged in the full light of the Son. He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God. "Without offense" may be taken actively or passively, "without giving offense (causing stumbling) to others." Paul prays that the Philippians may be true and pure inwardly, and blameless in their outward lives till, that is, against the day of Christ. 

(11) Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Paul prays that their love may abound, not only in knowledge and discernment, but also in the fruits of holy living. The fruit of righteousness is sanctification which springs from justification and manifests itself in holy living. The righteousness of God's saints is not that which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. The branch lives by the life of the vine. The Christian lives by the life of Christ. It is His life, assimilated by the Christian soul, which brings forth the fruits of righteousness. The righteousness of God's saints, springing from the abiding presence of Christ, shows forth the glory of God. The glory of God is the end of all Christian effort.

III. PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN LIVING. (VV. 8-9.) (8) Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Paul urges the Philippians to fill their hearts with things good and holy. Christ is Truth. All that is true comes from Him; the false, the vain, is of the earth. whatsoever things are honest, which carries the idea of honor or reverence. In the Revised Version we have the idea of Christian decorum, a Christian self-respect which is quite consistent with true humility. whatsoever things are just, rather, righteous, in the widest sense. whatsoever things are pure —Not only chaste, but free from stain or defilement or any sort. whatsoever things are lovely, pleasing, lovable; whatsoever would attract the love of holy souls. Of these six heads, the first two describe the subjects of devout thought as they are in themselves; the second pair relate to practical life; the third pair to the moral approbation which the contemplation of a holy life excites in good men. if there be any virtue —This word occurs no other place in Paul's writings. "Whatever value may reside in your old heathen conception of virtue, whatever consideration is due to the praise of men," as if the Apostle was anxious not to omit any possible ground of appeal. think on these things —Let these be the considerations which guide your thoughts and direct your motives. He implies that we have the power of governing our thoughts and so are responsible for them. If the thoughts are ordered well, the outward life will follow.

(9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Paul turns from contemplation to practical life. They must translate into action the lessons which they had received from him. He taught not by word only, but by living example; they saw in him when present and heard of him when he was absent, a pattern of the Christian faith and life. the God of peace shall be with you —God dwells with those who think holy thoughts and live holy lives; and with Him comes the peace which is His and which He gives. 

QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON

1. Why were letters placed into the Bible?
2. What help was Timothy to Paul?
3. What were some of the letters Paul wrote?
4. How are Paul's letters helpful to our churches?
5. What light does Philippians give to us?

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275   THE CONVENTION TEACHER

Lights on the Lesson 
By Rev. Bernard O. Byrd, D. D.

LIGHT NO. 1—The interest which the early Church preachers had in the converts they had brought to Christ and the churches which they had been instrumental in establishing, was so great that these preachers maintained communication with these newer believers. Since these converts did not have firsthand information on the teachings of Christ in their entirety, the men who knew felt obligated to give detailed instruction that procedure might be made in the proper channel. Some of these churches had been established before the writings of the gospel of Christ had been effected.

LIGHT NO. 2—Paul being the foremost of the missionary preachers in establishing churches, found it necessary to write special and general information to many of them. Paul also found it necessary to write letters to persons who had entered the work of the gospel under his preachings. The instruction etc., given in these letters was so much in keeping with the teachings and preachings of Jesus and so beneficial in directing the actions of church members, that these letters were collected and placed with the writings of the gospel to become a part of the Bible.  

LIGHT NO. 3—The church to which the letter that affords the Scripture for this lesson, was established under some of Paul's most memorable experiences. He suffered some almost unbearable mistreatments, but witnessed one of the great miracles of his career in the deliverance from the jail. These letters help to prove to us this day that Christ was keeping His promise to be with them that preach the gospel.

Editorial Reflections
By S. A. Pleasants, D. D.

All letters written in the Bible of God's Word, were dictated by the Holy Spirit. Therefore they are true and dependable. The letter to all the saints at Philippi, including the pastors, came from the Holy Spirit through Paul and Timotheus (Timothy). Whatever was good for the saints there is good for the saints here. 

The benediction pronounced upon them is also good for us today. "Grace be upon you." All need the favor of God upon us now. Without His Grace we are complete failures in every thing, and with His Grace we can stand any thing, and overcome every thing, and every evil being.

No Christian can keep in mind other Christians and not pray for them constantly. We are taught by Christ to always pray. Prayer does not change things, but the God to whom we pray changes things. If we pray and not stop, our Father, to whom we pray will change the one that prays, and bring about the desired results asked for. The Holy Spirit moves us to always pray, and He corrects all our errors in our prayers, and gives them to Jesus, in whose name they are sent to the Father. The Father gives the answer, and the time to be answered to Jesus, in turn Jesus gives them to the Holy Spirit to be executed as agreed by the Father and Son. The burden of Paul's prayer was for the saints to be in fellowship. When any people remain in fellowship they have the presence of Jesus with them always, hence all things are well.

When ever the Holy Spirit begins any thing in one, He never stops carrying it on, and always brings it to completion. No church of Christ ever fails in any thing, that Christ Jesus, in the Holy Spirit starts. Christ's Church is as He, because it is His Body, and He knows no failure, nor does His Church.

It is the heart's desire of every leader of God's people, that they be every thing the Lord wants them to be. He conducts his life so he may not stand in the way of any one's progress. When he desires to live a life for God and his people, the Holy Spirit always helps him to do so, and never will he fail in any thing.

Here the Holy Spirit gives through Paul the things to think on. Not for the brethren at Philippi only, but all the saints of God. True things, honorable things, just things, pure things, lovely things, things of good report. As one thinks in his heart so is he. To think on the above mentioned things will certainly keep one lined up properly with one's fellowman, and with our Father and His Son, and the Holy Spirit.