"THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS" (Phil. 3:10.)

(Continued from p.204.)

The epistle to the Philippians is peculiarly precious. It does not unfold much in the way of doctrine, but gives us what may be called proper "Christian experience"-not necessarily the experience of a Christian, though doubtless the writer entered fully into the truth he wrote. The apostle was in bonds at the time of his writing to the Philippians, and knew not how soon the cruel emperor, Nero, might order his execution.

He looks at these circumstances as an occasion given him of God to share Christ's sufferings. At the close of the first chapter he seeks to assure them, in the midst of untoward circumstances when the natural heart might reason why the apostle should be shut up in prison, and themselves exposed to adversaries. But suffering for Christ was the lot of believers, and their privilege in this evil world:"Unto you it is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for his sake" (chap. 1:29).

None would question the grace and God-given privilege which enabled them to believe on Christ, and the apostle assures them it was equally a gift and privilege to suffer for and with Him.

How far above our natural thoughts is this! And what a testimony to the power and operation of the Holy Spirit! What superiority to circumstances! The will of Nero is not considered; the whole question in this devoted servant's mind was whether the Lord would be better glorified and His people served by his living or by dying! So the apostle says, "What I shall choose, I cannot tell" (J. N. D.). Both were blessed. If living, Christ was his object. If dying, it was to be with Christ, so thoroughly was his heart in communion with the Lord. It would be a gain to go, but then service and suffering for His dear sake would be over, and so thoroughly was this beloved servant's will subservient, and his heart in communion with the Lord, that the prisoner, as it were decides his own case apart from the question of the Emperor's will, and says, "I know that I shall remain and abide with you all." His path of service and suffering was not yet over; the Lord's words to Ananias must have their complete fulfilment; "I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" (Acts 9:16).

It is surely encouraging to any, who in some small degree may be suffering for His sake, to view the path as one of privilege, and to see how the Lord can support and make His people superior to all the circumstances of the way. Peter similarly encourages the "strangers scattered" who were passing through a season of severe testing:"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Pet. 4:12,13).

Suffering for Him, and reigning with Him (2 Tim.2:12) are two things which God has joined together. What rich compensation will the coming glory prove for any little suffering or loss here!
"Close to His trusted side,
In fellowship divine,
No cloud, no distance, e'er shall hide
Glories that then shall shine."

The quotation from Phil. 3:10 speaks of something beyond suffering for Christ. Paul had seen Christ in glory, and henceforth every earthly glory was eclipsed; no knowledge, however exalted, could now compare with the knowledge of Christ Jesus, the Lord. His one desire is expressed in the words, "That I may know Him." To know Him, is to know our association with Him in His present position. He is there in divine righteousness, introducing us to that place. This would necessarily take in all that He was in fulfilling the Father's will; His perfect devotion, His absolute obedience in all, that the Father might be glorified. His patience in suffering, His unparalleled sorrows and sufferings, in order that there might be no barrier to the free outflow of God's holy love, made Him to the apostle an object which commanded, controlled, delivered and fortified the heart. The power acting in the new life was the power of His grace, and He became the supreme object of the heart. Henceforth, everything must go, and no path was too hard, no sacrifice too great, if by any means he "might arrive at the resurrection from among the dead" (J. N. D.).

Therefore Paul desired to have whatever fellowship with Christ would bring. The sufferings He endured, Paul would enter into; yea, more, he desired to die by the peculiar form of death that his blessed Master died, consequently he adds, "Being conformed to His death." Nothing should stand in the way of reaching the blessed goal ever before him; death in its worst form (crucifixion) would but take him into the fuller apprehension of that resurrection power which would bring him to Christ in glory.

To understand the attitude of the apostle, we must keep in mind that it is a glorified Christ that was before the apostle's eyes, and no intervening things must be allowed to come in between his soul and the blessed Object of his affections. Such an attitude is surely part of "The fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." By reason of his unique ministry, Paul could say, as no other, "Now I rejoice in sufferings for you, and fill up that which is lacking (which remained to be suffered) of the afflictions of Christ for His body's sake, which is the church, whereof I am made minister" (Col. 1:24).

His sufferings (he was writing from his prison at Rome) were for the precious truths especially comprehended in his commission-on account of the assembly, Christ's Body. The Lord had been pleased to bring this dear servant in communion with Himself in a special way, that he might serve the blessed purpose so dear to Him, of having those for whom He died in special nearness to Himself, as His Body. This truth was, to the apostle, worth suffering for – it was that mystery hidden, but now made known, which completed the cycle of truth -nothing further remaining unrevealed. May we too prize these precious revelations, and be prepared, if need arises, to suffer for them. J. W. H. N.

(To be continued, D. V.)