Paul's Seven Wishes # 2

Paul's Seven Wishes # 2

Paul desired to exhibit and exalt Christ! If he wrote - he wrote of Christ. If he spoke - he spoke of Christ. If he suffered - he suffered for Christ. If he sorrowed - it was because professors dishonored Christ.

Christ was to him dearer than the apple of his eye - and more precious than all things in earth or Heaven! He would live - if he could honor Jesus; or he would die for Him - if that would honor Him more. He felt his obligation. He was inflamed with his love. He was a sacrifice on his altar. He was a vessel for His honor. He would go anywhere, he would do anything - if he might but honor Christ. Heartily he would, "Let the name of Paul perish, if the name of Christ can be magnified thereby!"

To him Christ was, in fact, all and all. He died for Christ; the honor of Christ was the end for which he laid down his life.

My brother, how is it with you?

Does your heart cry, "Oh, that I could honor Christ!" Does your life make this impression on others, "That man aims to honor Christ!"

Is it your daily cry and prayer, "Let Christ be magnified in me, by me, and through me - in life, in death, in time, and forever!"

O my soul, let it be my constant desire and prayer - that Jesus, my Jesus, may be magnified by me!"

Fourthly, "To be FOUND in Christ." (Philippians 3:9). Paul wished to be IN Christ...as Noah was in the ark, as the man-slayer was in his refuge, as the jewel is in the cabinet, and as Christ is in God.

The closest possible union, the nearest and dearest communion - was desired by him.

If he is accepted by God - then he desires to be accepted in the name of Jesus. If he is justified - then he wishes it to be in the righteousness of Jesus If he is sanctified - then he would be so by the Spirit of Jesus.

He would have Paul to be nothing - and Jesus to be all.

In Christ, he knew he would be safe. In Christ, he felt he would be happy. In Christ, he was persuaded he would be satisfied. Christ in Paul was his life. Paul in Christ was his honor.

Friend, are you IN Christ? Is it your ambition to be found in Christ? If death finds you - will it find you in Christ? If justice finds you - will it find you in Christ? If judgment finds you - will it find you in Christ? In Christ - you will find God as a Father. In Christ - you will meet all the saints as your brethren. In Christ - you will find the angels ministering unto you. In Christ - death has no sting. In Christ - the grave has no terrors. In Christ - the law has no claims upon you. In Christ - there are no threatenings in God's Word against you. In Christ - all the promises are confirmed to you.

How glorious to be in Christ! My soul, let this be your daily prayer, "That I may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law - but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

Fifthly, "To be CONFORMED to Christ." (Phil. 3:10). It was not enough to know Christ, to win Christ, to magnify Christ, or to be in Christ; Paul wishes to be LIKE Christ! He would breathe his spirit, exhibit His temper, copy His example, and be just like Christ!

He desired to be like Christ in poverty, like Christ in suffering, like Christ in death itself.

Paul desired to be EXACTLY like Jesus! Meek as Jesus was meek. Patient as Jesus was patient. Loving as Jesus was loving. Useful as Jesus was useful. In every point resembling Him! 

What admiration of Christ is here! What love to Christ! What self-renunciation! What power of grace!

What a wonderful transformation! How unlike Saul of Tarsus, the Pharisee of the Pharisees, the persecutor of the church, the blasphemer of the Nazarene! What could be more unlike?

Once he saw no beauty in Christ - now he sees nothing but beauty. Once he could not bear the mention of His name - now he never seems happy, but when pronouncing it. Once he was exceeding mad against Him and His people - now his heartfelt abiding cry is, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings - becoming like Him in His death!"

~James Smith~

(continued with # 3)