Philippians 1:30

REFLECTIONS

BLESSED be God the Holy Ghost for his servant's gracious instruction in this chapter. How truly delightful is it to trace the ministry of Paul from such slender beginnings, in raising a Church to the Lord at Philippi, and then furnishing the Church, both at Philippi, and throughout the world, with this divine portion of the Lord's holy word, and his pleasure in the government of it. Surely, O Lord, the whole Church, in every age, both then and now, and during all the time-state of its continuance upon earth, must find cause to bless thee for such tokens of thy love over it.

Reader! let us both seek grace from the Lord, to improve what the Holy Ghost hath here taught by Paul, of the confidence every child of God derives in regeneration, for the sure consummation of grace in glory. All that are new born in Christ, as well as Paul, may be confident of this very thing, that He which hath began the good work, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. For whom the Lord called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

My soul! listen to what Paul saith. See that your whole conversation is corresponding to the whole character of a child of God. Prove thy right and freedom to the city, which hath foundation, whose builder, and Maker, is GOD), by the marks of citizenship. Let thy conversation be in heaven, from whence thou art looking for thy Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And oh! for the constraining love of Jesus, to rejoice as saints of old did, when suffering shame and reproach for Jesus.