NOTHING.-"Let nothing be done in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves; regarding not each his own qualities, but each those of others also" (Phil. 2:3, J. N. D. Trans.).
What a word for ourselves in this day! A day surely of strife and confusion, of which God is not the author, for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Cor. 14:33). As one has well said, "Others " is the keynote here. How we need to consider this! How much in evidence in the life of our blessed Master was the thought for others, for "Even Christ pleased not Himself," is the testimony to Him who spent His life for others, whose love could go e'en to death for others-for you and for me. John says, "We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). The giving heed to what the Scriptures say would doubtless keep us from much that otherwise genders strife.
One thing.-"This one thing, forgetting the things behind, and stretching out to the things before" (Phil. 3:13).
"One thing have I desired of the Lord…. to behold the beauty of the Lord" (Ps. 27:4).
Unpleasant memories! How many such the past affords! Our life, our ways, our surroundings, our circumstances, each and all contribute their part to memories of the past. How must the apostle have viewed his journey to Damascus as the thoughts of the purpose of that journey loomed up before him! But now, forgetting the things that are behind, he stretched out to the things before, with the goal in view, the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus. We do well to be imitators of him.
The desire of the Psalmist also, what a remedy for many ills and ailments that spiritually are ours, as it shall yet be for Israel in the future day. "Beholding the beauty of the Lord." Occupation with Christ, what transforming power! "Looking on the glory of the Lord with unveiled face, are transformed," and so we are bidden not to be conformed to the world, which has its own objects, but transformed by the "renewing of our minds." What can tend to do this better than occupation with Christ? "Behold My Servant," "Behold the Lamb of God," "Behold the Man;" "Behold the Bridegroom;" "Behold your King;" and yet again from His own lips, "Behold My hands and My feet."
"Lo, the tokens of His passion,
Though in glory, still He bears;
Cause of endless exultation
To His ransomed worshiped."
A FEW THINGS. "But I have a few things against thee" (Rev. 2:14).
While this was said to the assembly of Pergamos, do we not well to enquire, Is there not aught against us also? Does He not have a controversy with His people? Do we not well to "Hear the rod, and who hath appointed it" (Mic. 6:9)? A few things:coldness of heart perhaps, indifference to His claims upon us, lack of purpose. May our hearts be aroused afresh to our responsibilities toward God, toward our brethren, toward our fellow-men.
MANY THINGS. "In many things we offend all," or, "for we all often offend." "If any offend not in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too" (Jas. 3:2, J. N. D.'s Trans.).
Oh, those words! How oft we would call them back, had we but the power so to do; but they are spoken, they are written, and cannot be called back. What careful consideration then is necessary, and need of heeding another scripture, "Speak not evil one of another, brethren" (Jas. 4:11). "Wherefore (or, so that), my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for man's wrath does not work God's righteousness" (Jas. 1:19, J. N. D.'s Trans.).
THESE THINGS. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17). But what are these things? Blessed example of our Master, what an interest He had in the welfare of His disciples, in lowly service stooping down to wash His disciples' feet, with the added word:"What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter," and yet again, "If I, therefore, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought to wash one another's feet; for I have given you an example, that, as I have done to you, ye should do also" these things-fruit-bearing (John 15:11), the power for fruit-bearing, spoken that His joy might remain in us and that our joy "might be full." These things manifest fruit, our love one for another, coupled with the remembrance that the servant is not above his Lord. These things spoken unto us that in Him "we might have peace" (John 16:33). The promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit, with all that as a result of His coming would be made ours, made good to us by the way.
ALL THINGS. "Let all things be done to edification." "Let all things be done comelily and with order" (1 Cor. 14:26,40).
It may be said these two scriptures refer directly to the question of speaking in tongues, but does not the all things have a wider application? "All things for edification," improvement of the mind and soul in knowledge or moral character, the Word of God adhered to, the same Word presented for the lifting up of our hearts heavenward, setting our affections, our minds, on things above, and comelily, as becomes those who have been purchased at such infinite cost.
SUCH THINGS. "They which do such things, shall not inherit God's kingdom" (Gal. 5:21). What a category! The works of the flesh manifest! God has given us the power also to distinguish between its awful workings and the fruit of the Spirit, in direct contrast, with the injunction, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
OLD THINGS. "The old things have passed away" (2 Cor. 5:17).. Such is our position before God that all things have become new. If it is good to know that God no longer sees us under the old headship, in our former standing, this ought the more to exercise us that our state corresponds more closely to our standing.
GLORIOUS THINGS. "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God" (Ps. 87:3). Glorious things not only for Israel but for us also. Before God deals with them we shall enter into those bright scenes of glory, for we are going in with the Bridegroom, then coming out with the King.
EVERYTHING. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18).
A thankless spirit marks decline. How much we have to be thankful for!
"We thank Thee, Lord, for weary days
When desert springs were dry,
And first we knew what depth of need
Thy love could satisfy.
We thank Thee for that rest in Thee
The weary only know,
That perfect, wondrous sympathy
We only learn below."
The Psalmist of old could say, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord," and it is written of the decline and apostasy of Romans, "They neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, their foolish heart was darkened." Realizing it is the will of God, may we truly "in everything give thanks." R. S. Stratton