Ver. 13.-Forward. Like the runner who will lose the prize if he mistake any point short or I lio goal for the end, or if he waste his time in looking back on the course traversed, the Christian must press forward with his face tow11rus Christ, unresting till tho great race is won. I. \VE HUST NOT CONSIDER ANY PRESENT ATTAINMENT SUFFICIENT. St. Paul was nn novico when ho wrote this Epistle. An old mnn, rich and ripe in many graces, far a.n,l o.way beyond the cxpol'ience of most Christians, he still felt that he hau. not rcacheJ 162 THE EPISTLE 'IO '!'HE PHlLlPPIANB. [0B, llL 1-21,
the great end of his efforts. How muoh less can inferior Christiane allow themselves to be sstisfied with_ what they have 88 yet a.oquired I The end is to be perfeot as our Father m heaven 1s perfect (Matt. v. 48). ,ve are not blamed if we have not yet reached that crown o~ goodnc~ But we a~ ble.m_ed if we are not pressing on to it and rest contented with anything short of it. Height above height rises before us. Let no inferior aim lull us to unfaithful indolence with its soothing prospects. II. WE MUST LOOK FORWARD, NOT BACKWARD. Some men stand with their faces to the west, regretting the lost radiance of the setting sun. Others tum their gaze on the east, eager to catch the first streak of dawn. Surely the latter a.re the wiser. Our faces look forwards that we may see the path we are about to tread instead of looking only on the path already trodden. 1. We must forget past attainments. Otherwise they will be a snare, and out of the very fruit of good deeds may be distilled the poisonous narcotic that will prevent the repetition of them. Let the sweet fruit be cast away that the seed may be sown to produce future fruit. 2. We must forget past failures. It is foolish to dwell in idle regrets, for thus we neglect the duty of to-day in lamenting the neglect of yesterday's duty! It is positively wrong to clog our future efforts by carr,·ing the burden of past sin. If God has forgiven our sin we should forget it. 3. We must forget past joys and sorrows-this only in a measure, of course. We are human, and there are wholesome uses of memory. But still the dreamy life of reflec- tion is sadly hindering to progress. Greater joys open before us-even before the saddest, most desponding of us, if we are truly following Christ-than any that lie buried in the graves of the past. They who may hope for the joy of the resurrection reunion do foolishly to weep for ever at the tomb. III. 'iVE MUST STRETCH FORWARD TO THE TfilNGS WHICH ARE DEFORE. The picturesque fi;:ure represents the eager runner who stretches out his hanu and bends his body towards the long-sought end of his endeavours. The eye must precede the foot. If our hearts are not already in heaven our souls cannot be travelling thither. Great effort is also necessary. The Christian must put forth all his energies. His life is a battle, e. wrestling, a race. IV. CHRIST rs THE END OF TBE BACE. 1. He is the Goal. We are to strive to attain unto him. The Christian course is marked out by the footprints of Christ. Every right step brings us nearer Christ, both in resemblance and in fellowship. Perfection i~ absolute Christ-likeness. 2. Christ is also the Prize. The end of the race is its own reward. And it is enough. To possess Christ is worth the loss of all earthly posses- sions (¥'er. 7). It is, however, in the end, to give us the inheritance of all things (1 Cor. iii 22, 23).-W. F. A. Ver.15.-" Otherwise minded." L DIVEBSITY OF OPINION IS POSSIBLE A.MONG GENUINE CmusTIA.Ns. St. Paul was writing to a Christian Church which he honoured with rare corumendation for its fidelity and spiritual attainments. Nevertheless, he admitted that some of his readers might not see truth as he saw it. Il. WE MUST NOT ATTEMPT TO FORCE OTHE.BS INTO AGREEMENT WITH OURSELVES. Every honest thinker must believe that his own view is correct, or he would abandon it. In fact, he only adopts it because he believes it to be true. 'l'herefore he must wish others to a1rree with him. But he has no right to use violence, abuse, and recrimination. He should respect his brother's right to think. St. Paul was far 6uperior to the Christians of Philippi. Yet he treated their possible difference of opinion with courtesy and gentleness. JlI. IF WE ABE BIGHT IN THE COURSE OF THE CirnISTIAN LIFE, DIFFEBENOES OF (JPl!,;ION ON SPECULATIVE POINTS WILL NOT DE FATAL. 'l'hey are not unimportant. All trutL is useful and all error injurious. Still, fidelity to Christ in practice is far more illJv,rt.ant than all else. And even men who are clogged and maimed by egregious errors--a.s we Protestants think Roman Catholic and Greek Christians must be-will reach_the end 11afely if they are truly pressing forward to Christ. IV. FIDELITY TO CHBIBT WILL LEAD TO A REVELATION OF TBUT.11 ON THOSE POINTS WHE~E WE ABE AS YET IN EBBOB. It is not by controversy, much less by excommuni- cation and braod£ uf heresy, that error is eliminated from the Church. Nothing opens /Jur ~yes so clearly as faithful service. He will know the doctrine who keeps the -UJlliILaodIW:nt.-W. F. A. 1 OIi, 111, 1-21.] 'l'HE EPIS'l'LE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 153