VcrE. 20, 21.-Tl"' blesaednesa of the (J]vri,tly. "For our converpation [citizenship] b iri Lr,im,n; from whi,nce also we look for the [a] Saviour, tho Lord Jesus Christ: whc., Ehli char,g,, c,ur vile body, that it may be fasLion0d like unto his glorioua body, CII, 111, 1-21.) 'l'IIE EPISTLE TO THE PlllLIPPIA;-;s. 117 ------------------------------- [who shall fashion nnew the body of our humiliation that it rnay be co:1furnie<l to the body of his glory] according to the workin" whereby he is aulc even to sul,due [8ub- ject] all things unto himself." The word ::oJ..lnvµa., which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, does not mean "speech" or" conduct," but" citizenship." The word 11 is" is C"mphatic, signifying "actually exists." If we are Christly our citizenship is not something to be, but is now. The passage, therefore, reveals to us glorious facts connected wilh the life of a Christly man. I. HE IB A CITIZEN OF THE HIGHEST STATE. He is II in heaven "-heaven the glorious metropolis of God's spiritual empire. But how can this be? Is not heaven millions of leagues away, far beyond the reach or ken of men? Suppose it so, citizen- ship is not dependent on distance. Are not those at the antipodes citizens ot· the same commonwealth as ourselves? Two things make ns citizens of a state. 1. That we be ,qoverned by its laws. What are the laws of heaven? The laws of love. In the New Testament these laws are sometimes called" the law of life," the "law of liberty," etc. Love is the supreme Jaw of heaven, and every genuine Ch1~stian is governed by this Jaw. 2. That we be invested with its rights. What are the rights which a good government secures to its citizens? Protection, Uberty,freedom, facilities for advance- ment. Heaven secures all these to its citizens, wherever they are, on this planet or on· any other. A Christly man enjoys perfect guardianship, glorious liberty, and facilities for everlasting progress. II. HE IS A BUDJECT OF THE HIGHEST HOPES. Not only is a Christly man a citizen of heaven now, enjoying all its rights, but he is looking for, or waitin:; for, something glorious in the future. 1. The advent of a Saviour. "From whence also we look for the Saviour." Waiting for the return of him who is the supreme Object of his love. This attitude of mind implies four things. (1) A belief that his Saviour is somewhere in existence. (2) A conviction that there is a peri0d when he will appear. (3) A consciousness of fitness to meet him. (4) An assurance ti.at his advent is desirable. 2. A glorious transformation. "Who shall change our vile body"-" body of humilia- tion." The body is not normally " vile; " not vile, either, in its organization or func- tions. As an organism it is exquisitely perfect-" fearfully and wonderfully made;" but in its abnormal state it is "vile'' by reason of the diseases to which it is subject, the uses to which it is put, and the undue influence which its pampered appetites have obtained over the intellect, conscience, soul. But a glorious transformation awaits it. (1) 'l'he model. "His glorious body." How glorious was his resurrection-body as he ascended. to the heavens I How glorious will it appear as be comes on a greai; white throne to judge the world! 'l'he transformation to be wrought in this body is described in 1 Cor. xv. 42-54. Observe: (2) The agency. "According to the working." That is, in virtue of the effectual working of his power to subject all things to himsdf. His power is not a dormant element, but an active force, a force working toward.,; glorious results on behalf of his genuine disciples.-D. T.
Ver. 1.-Sameness. I. ITS NECESSITY. In ordinary life there must be much of sameness. The same duties, occupations, interests, events, occur from day to day. The same temptations have to be met by the same spiritual weapons. This is very clearly seen when our duties are concerned wit.b the training and teaching of others. The same faults must be rebuked, the same advice given, the same disappointments oxperienced. II. !Ts TEDIOUSNESS, Many feel this keenly and long for a greater variety and a life full of excitement and change. III. ITB SAFETY. 1. For ourselves. Excitement ends in revulsion and exhaustion. Samoness builds up a regulated life. Our characters are formed by the repetition of ideas rather than by experiencing a succ~ssion of startling events. 2. For others. In dealing with them it is most important that we should be always the same. There is need of justice, self-control, an evon temper, and an absence of caprice and partiality. IV. 1TB DIVINE CHAllAOTER, God is ever the same nnd works by his own divinely arranged laws. Our moods and our circumstances cha 1:ge, but our Lonl is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Whore would be our conl:dcnco if he wero to change? lllessed to have an unchanging Friend anu an unchanging home, where there is rest 11mitlst all the changes of our oxtel'llal lives.-Y. W. li, 14-8 'l'HE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. [ OH, Ill, 1-21,