The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 44

where lives in the character of man. The present age lives in the character of the pnst, and so back; the millions of unrcnewed men live in the character of Adam, imbibe his selfishness, and practise his disloyalty. All r~nerate men live in the character of Christ, appropriate his grand ideas, cherish his spirit, and imitate his Divine virtues; thus they become like him. Much more is included in being in <Jhrist, bnt this is sufficient to indicate and to show that it is the most exalt,ed of all states. 'l'he man who is in Christ has broken away from the enthralling influence of materialism, is rising to a mastery over external circumstances, and over his carnal passions and lusts, is towering higher and higher into the regions of unclouded light e.nd of ineffable joys and imperishable delights. III. THE MOST PHILA1'"THROPIO OF ALT. ASPIRATIONS. "Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." This is Paul's general saluta- tion, and is found in almost every Epistle. It is also often employed by Peter and John. "Grace" means favour, and the wish expressed by the apostle is that the Divine favour and peace may flow to them from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. '\That greater blessings than these-God's favour and God's peace I And what wishes more philanthropic than these can be conceived of! Most men express philanthropic wishes towards their fellow-men at times: some wish health, riches, long life, and great enjoyment ; but he who wishes the favour e.nd peace of God wishes infinitely more than all these. The patriot wishes men to be free, the total abstainer wishes men to be sober, the religious denominationalist wishes men to join bis sect; but Paul's wish here is grander, more comprehensive and Divine than these-he wishes men to ha'l"e the favour and the peace of God. "Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Failier, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." CoNCLUSION. The fundamental question which presses on us is-Are we "in Christ Jesus"? Not-Are we in this system or that, in this Church or that? but-Are we" in Christ Jesus"? If so, we are secure from all dangers, ripe for all worlds, snd for futuritios, on the march of everiasting progress, light, and blessedness. I would live my life in Christo, In his holy thoughts and love, I would cherish his high parpose, In his Spirit live and move. I would fight my foes in Christo, They are many, they are strong; In his strength I'll bear the contest, Striving e'l"er 'gninst the wrong. Aid me, Lord, to live in Christo; Oh I in Christo let me live. I would find my joy in Christo, Joy which earth cannot afford: I would drink of that life-river StreamiDg from his quickening Word. I would gain my rights in Christo- Rights of freedom and of peace ; From my guilt and from my bondage Be alone can give release. Aid me, Lord, to serve in Christo; Oh I in Christo let me serve. l would die my death in Christo, Breathing in his love I'm bleat; When this frame to dust returneth, I shall enter into rest. In tLat rest I shall adore him In the strains of sacred love, With the ransom'd of all races Gather'd in the heaveus above. Aid me, Lord, to die in Christo ; Oh I in Christo let me die. D.T. Ull, I, 1-30.] THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 3!)