Have you ever asked? ∙

Have you ever asked? ∙

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God – Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 1:1-3

 1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,

 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power. 

In an article entitled “Knowing Persons,” David Matheson of Carleton University offered an answer to the question, What’s the difference between knowing about someone and knowing someone? He distinguished two types of knowing: impersonal knowledge and personal knowledge (Matheson, D. (2010). Knowing Persons. Dialogue Journal).

What is the difference? Impersonal knowledge is knowing about someone, while personal knowledge is experientially knowing someone. To know someone experientially requires what has been dubbed a “communication event” (Matheson).

As we have “communication events” with people, we get to know them. We become aware of the unique aspects of their personalities. We become aware of their temperament, nature, disposition, and likes and dislikes. We can often anticipate how they are going to respond. We find out what kind of a person they are.

Have you ever asked yourself what kind of a person the Father is?

The question may be somewhat surprising. Because usually, when children of the King think of the Father, we think of God’s attributes rather than God’s personality. The attributes of God involve His divine characteristics. He is eternal, holy, good, just, righteous, all-powerful, all-knowing, and infinite.

But what is the Father’s personality like?

When we consider an individual’s personality, we ask: are they friendly, warm, kind, or gentle; are they intelligent, funny, serious, wise; are they brave, protective, nurturing, and the like?

How can we know what the Father’s personality is really like? What kind of a person is He?

The Lord Jesus Christ came to reveal the personality of the Father. He and the Father share the same personal characteristics. They are two separate persons who share the same essence.

When we hear Jesus, we hear God. When we observe Jesus, we observe God. If we want to know what God is like, how he might act, or where he might go, we only have to watch Jesus.

Hebrews 1:3 He is . . . the exact representation of His nature,

The Greek term translated as exact representation is character. It was used as a mark or impression placed on an object, especially on coins, and came to signify a “representation” or “reproduction.”

In Greek, character means two things – first, a seal, and, second, the impression that the seal leaves on the wax. The impression has the exact form of the seal. So, when the writer to the Hebrews said that Jesus was the character of the being of God, he meant that He was the exact image of God. When you look at the impression, you see exactly what the seal which made it is like, so when you look at Jesus, you see exactly what God is like (Barclay).

Using very inadequate human terms, the Father has stamped or imprinted His being on His Son. The Son of God bears “the very stamp of . . .  [God’s] nature” (RSV).

The Greek term translated nature is hypostasis. It refers to the nature, quality, substance, and essence of something. In this passage, hypostasis refers to the very essence or being of God the Father.  

The Son is the exact representation, the embodiment of God the Father as He really is. His being is made manifest in Christ. To see the Son is to see what the Father is like (O’Brien).

When we get to know the Son experientially, we get to know the Father.

REFLECT & PRAY

The personality of the Father is revealed in the Scriptures. It is observed and known in His Son’s life, emotions, and actions.

Father please help me come to know You as a person, to enter a communication event. Allow me to be close to You and fall evermore profoundly in love with You.

INSIGHT

Sometimes we miss obvious things that are right in front of us because we are not paying attention. It seems as though it is part of human DNA. So it was with the apostle Philip.

John 14:6-9

 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”

 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’”

The story is about a man who visited his doctor to have his hearing checked. The doctor removed the man’s hearing aid, and the patient’s hearing immediately improved! He had been wearing the device in the wrong ear for over 20 years!

There is a difference between listening and really hearing; Jesus often cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” This statement suggests that it takes more than physical ears to hear the voice of God. It also requires a receptive heart. When you hear his voice today, don’t harden your hearts (Hebrews 3:7-8) (Wiersbe).

Philip’s request shows that he has not yet understood the point of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Philip had not grasped that the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God, came to reveal the Father.

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself, God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

For children of the King, our close, intimate fellowship with the Father, through His Son, is our “communication event.” That is how we get to know Him as a person. The more we know Him, the more we love Him.

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© Dr. H 2022

Be kind ∙

Be kind ∙

The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8

Ephesians 4:31-32

 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind” (Henry James).

Since the days of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), communication has been a problem between peoples. It is perhaps worse in our day of polarized and antithetical political views. Is there a universal language we could all speak that would allow us to communicate and understand one another?

The simple answer – is yes! Kindness!

Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear, and the blind can see (Mark Twain).

Kindness is a state of being that includes loving affection, sympathy, friendliness, patience, pleasantness, gentleness, and goodness.

Some folks seem gifted with a tender heart and a kind spirit. You can spot them anywhere. People who need loving care, sympathy, mercy, gentleness, and understanding are attracted to them. Simply follow the crowd.

But for the rest of us, it is not so simple. We get hurt and offended; we bear grudges; we close off ourselves to human relationships and dry up inside and become hard.

Anger is an acid that can harm the vessel in which it is stored more than anything on which it is poured (Mark Twain). “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle” (Plato).

Of all the possible things that we could possibly do to please the Father, what matters most? The Father has made Himself clear on this matter. Kindness is at the core of what we ought to be and do. It is not a suggestion; it is a requirement. Simply stated, if we are not choosing to be kind, we violate one of His prime directives.

Micah 6:6-8

 6 What can we bring to the LORD? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves?

 7 Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?

 8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8 unequivocally answers the question. It rules out the possibilities of the previous two verses. Micah, the prophet himself, speaks for the Father. The Father tells us what He requires: to do what is just, show kindness, and live in humble fellowship with our God.

Without a right relationship with the Father, this is impossible, and all outward pretense and ceremony are useless and vain (UBS).

To do what is just and equitable involves right and fair relationships.

The Hebrew term translated as kindness is hesed. It is often translated as kindness, lovingkindness, reliability, faithfulness, mercy, and loyal love. The third phrase is literally “to walk humbly with your God.” It is not insisting on our own way but readily doing what the Father desires of us.

Hesed one of the most beautiful and fascinating words used in the Old Testament to describe the Father. It is profound and multifaceted. The Father has many attractive characteristics, personality traits, and attributes. Perhaps one of the most delightful of all is His lovingkindness.

The Father requires us to be just like Him in dealing with others.

REFLECT & PRAY

I have made so many bad choices. Is there one that stands out that I wish I would have done differently? The answer is an obvious yes. I would have chosen to be kind and tenderhearted.

Father, it grieves me deeply to have been so hardhearted and resistant to simple acts of kindness and forgiveness. Let me be tender, gentle, and accepting of others as You are of me. Let me start a new day and walk in a new way.

INSIGHT

The Father’s tenderhearted, lovingkindness is seen in the story of the prodigal (Luke 15:11-32). The Father does not reject; He longs for reconciliation and restoration.

Luke 15:20-24

 20 But while he was still far off, his father saw him, felt compassion, and ran, embraced, and kissed him.

 21 And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”

 24 [And his father said,] this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found

The Father’s marvelous lovingkindness is revealed in His acts of tenderness and gentleness with those that have sinned egregiously and are embarrassed and ashamed. He does not condemn, He forgives (John 8).

John 8:10-11

 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness.

The Father has drawn us to Himself because of and through His lovingkindness.

Peter tells us how to get this done.

1 Peter 3:8-12

 8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude.

 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

 10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

 11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

 12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

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© Dr. H 2022

A delightful way to live ∙

A delightful way to live ∙

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. – Psalms 119:35

Psalms 119:33-48

 33 Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end.

 34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.

 35 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

 36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!

 37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

 38 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.

 39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.

 40 I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.

 41 LORD, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me.

 42 Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word.

 43 Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.

 44 I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever.

 45 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

 47 How I delight in your commands! How I love them!

 48 I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees.

Giving gifts to others is a simple endeavor that is as old as humanity. Gifts are given without expecting payment or anything in return. The best gifts have intrinsic meaning and value, which are not related to cost. For the recipient, gifts are meant to be free.

Gifts come in many forms: material items, acts of service, etc. They are intended to encourage and bring joy or satisfaction to the recipient. Often, simple acts of kindness or forgiveness go a long way.

The Father loves to give gifts to the children of the King. The Word of God is the Father’s magnificent gift to the world. The Scriptures provide encouragement, grace, understanding, and hope for the human race. The greatest gift is the incarnation and redemptive death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119 celebrates the Father’s gracious gift to mankind of His truth found in the Law of Moses, the Torah. The Torah contains the Father’s guidebook for life.

Of all of the Psalms, it is the longest, containing 175 verses. It is the longest chapter in the entire Bible. The amount of space given to it underscores its immense importance.

Every Child of the King should meditate upon, pray through, and sing (Psalm 119). When we set aside the time and make a definite choice to do so, we express our heartfelt gratitude and admiration to the Father for His great gift.

The simple act of praising Him through prayer and song stirs up a genuine yearning to reflect the goodness and loveliness expressed. It encourages us to become like Him and to do what He does.

As we learn and follow His instructions, we avoid self-destructive attitudes, choices, and actions and their consequences. Instead of the law restricting us, it sets us free to live and enjoy life as the Father intended. We experience forgiveness and the release from guilt and pain that often torments us.

What a delightful way to live!

REFLECT & PRAY

“People with renewed hearts delight to obey God and learn from his Word, which guides them” (ESV Study Bible). When we fall in love with the Father, obedience and service flow freely from our hearts.

Father please soften my wounded and hardened heart so that I might fall deeper and deeper in love with You. May I truly become a Theophilus, a lover of God.

INSIGHT

Most of us know what it feels like to love someone else deeply and be loved deeply. Psalms 119 shows how it is possible to do just that with the Father. Imagine what it would be like to be “in love” with the Father and His Word. Indeed this is precisely what the Father desires for each of His children.

The writer of the Psalm remains anonymous, but he shows us the way. He cries out in prayer to the Father, teach me and give me insight (Psalms 119:33-34). His desire to understand is earnest and intense. But his ultimate goal is not merely to understand but, more importantly, to live out what he knows wholeheartedly. He seeks undivided devotion to the Father via a deep love relationship.

“We must come to understand the character of God and the workings of His providence (Psalms 27:11; Psalms 86:11; Psalms 103:7). Just as children come to understand the character of their parents and what pleases them, so we must get to know God better and discern His desires. We have a complete revelation of the Lord and His will in the Scriptures, but we need inner illumination to discover what it means to our own lives” (Wiersbe).

What blocks the king’s children from being more in love with the Father and having undivided devotion to Him?

The psalmist identifies two among many possible impediments.

Psalms 119:36-37

 36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!

 37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

The Hebrew word translated as gain, selfish gain, profit, and love for money is betsa. Betsa originally was a technical term used by weavers to designate the action of cutting a piece of cloth free from the loom after it had been woven (TWOT). But over time, it took on a more sinister meaning. Rather than the mere desire to obtain profit or gain, it focused on the motivations driving it, often impure or greedy hearts. Thus, the impediment is not gain in and of itself but rather ill-gotten gain resulting from greed or avarice. In modern times, we might speak of money laundering, skimming off the top, or cheating.

The Hebrew word translated worthless things; vanity is shav. Shav refers to things that have no eternal value. They are temporal and earthbound. They are like grass and flowers, here today, gone tomorrow.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the Word of our God stands forever.

“Outlook determines outcome. Abraham looked for the heavenly city and ended well; Lot looked at Sodom and ended badly (Genesis 13; Hebrews 11:8-16). What the heart loves and desires, the eyes will see (Psalms 101:2-6; Numbers 15:37-41; Jeremiah 22:17). To have one eye on the world and the other on the Word is to be double-minded, and God does not bless double-minded people (James 1:5-8)” (Wiersbe).

“Left to ourselves, we often don’t know which way leads to life and which way ends in death; we remain in the dark. But God’s Word provides us with a searchlight to cut through the darkness and lead us to safety” (Stanley). 

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© Dr. H 2022

Iconic glory ∙

Iconic glory ∙

Who is the King of glory? – Psalms 24:8

Psalms 24:7-10

 7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle.

 9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

 10 Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies– he is the King of glory.

The “Miracle on Ice” occurred at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, on February 22. The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in five of the six previous Winter Olympic Games and was favored to win again. Many of the players on the Soviet team were experienced, professionals. By contrast, the United States team was the youngest in the tournament and U.S. national team history.

Despite the seemingly impossible challenges, the US team won. The victory became one of the most iconic moments of the Games and U.S. sports. The television call of the game’s final seconds by Al Michaels for ABC was equally well-known, in which he declared: “Do you believe in miracles? YES!” In 1999, Sports Illustrated named the “Miracle on Ice” the top sports moment of the 20th century.

In the Scriptures, contact transfers uncleanness from one object or person to another, not so with holiness. Things are declared holy and set aside for the Lord’s purposes by His spoken word or by His immediate presence.

Exodus 3:5 “Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.

The Father God alone is majestic, iconic holiness. He is unique, and there is none like Him. He is the King of glory.

Psalm 24 recalls and celebrates the Father’s iconic glory. David conquered and took possession of the backwater city of Jebus, a Jebusite citadel. It became known as the city of David (1 Chronicles 11:5-7).

It may well be that Psalm 24 was written by David in association with his arrival with the ark of the covenant at Jerusalem. The ark is the place where The Father’s presence dwelt on earth during the days of the kings of Israel.

When David arrived with the ark, the presence of the Lord entered the city. And Jerusalem was forever consecrated, holy, and set aside for the Lord’s purposes. Jerusalem, the city of David, was transformed into Jerusalem, the city of the Lord.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father dwells in unmatched magnificence and glory and deserves our highest honor and commitment.

Father sadly, I only get momentary glimpses of Your beautiful and delightful glory. Draw me closer that I may dwell in Your presence.

INSIGHT

Psalms 24:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains the world, and those who dwell in it.

The living God made the heavens, the earth, and all other created things, which are His personal possessions.

It is incumbent upon each individual and each generation to seek the Father and to find Him. As children of the King seek to enter into and dwell in His presence, He welcomes us. We are honored to experience the profound pleasure of His lovingkindness.

But Psalm 24 is not about us; it is all about Him. It echoes with shouts of joy and acclamation that He is the King of glory! Reflect on what this means. To be the King of glory means that the highest honor belongs to Him alone. There is none higher to whom we owe allegiance.

Hebrews 6:13 When God made the promise to Abraham since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name,

The Lord is not only glorious; He is the King of glory. He is the greatest in glory, the pinnacle of excellence, the mountaintop of majesty, the summit of splendor. He is the eternally blessed God (Romans 9:5) (Stanley).

Psalms 24:8-10

 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

 9 Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in!

 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.

This celebration is marked by a loud rhetorical chant and reciprocal response. David exclaims that the King of glory is the Lord Almighty, Creator, Sustainer, and King of all. He sings in awestruck wonder. David proclaims that although the Father is above all, He is also welcoming and intimately accessible. All children of the King are invited to enter His presence. The King of glory is knowable in our human experience. We can know Him, be empowered by Him, and trust Him to fight on our behalf.

How do we experience and live out the reality of the presence of our warrior king?

When the Lord Jesus Christ entered our hearts, He made it possible for every child of the King to actualize His presence. As we surrender control and allow our King to reign within our hearts, we experience His pleasure.

“This Psalm is accomplished in us when Jesus enters our hearts as our King to reign, and it will have its full realization when the earth and its population welcome Him as its Lord” (F. B. Meyer).

Who is the Lord? What is He like as a person? What are His nature and character? He is revealed in Psalm 24 as strong and mighty in battle, the Lord of hosts, and the King of glory.

Yahweh is the Lord of hosts. He is sovereign over all His creation. The Hebrew word tsaba, translated as hosts (hosts does not mean much to the average Bible reader), has been transliterated into English and other languages as Sabaoth. The Hebrew word tsaba refers to a vast multitude, an army, troops, etc. It is frequently translated as almighty, all-powerful, supreme. The expression may be translated as the Lord who is the strongest of all, the Lord who has more power than anyone(UBS), or The LORD of Heaven’s Armies (NLT).

Close your eyes and imagine our Father as a divine warrior king. He is omnipotent and unconquerable. As such, He has the power to deliver from calamity and chaos to all those who seek Him (Jacobson and Tanner).

Nevertheless, this all-powerful, unconquerable King is approachable. He is our Abba Father. He beckons every child of the King to come to Him.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  

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© Dr. H 2022

Vigilant flexibility ∙

Vigilant flexibility ∙

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. – Ephesians 5:15

Ephesians 5:15-19

 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

 18 Don’t be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

 19 singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

In June 2020, America entered a difficult new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The remainder of 2020 warranted flexibility and tolerance, trying different ways to adapt to new evidence. In a country with such fractured politics, this was no small challenge.

That challenge was a function of a complicated public-health picture combined with contradictory public attitudes. Even as economic activity resumed, COVID-19 cases rose in many locations. This was not a second wave. Instead, it was a series of spikes of the first surge. In the following months, some States would see infections rise while others fell. The trick would be to manage the constant risk of COVID-19 while restarting normal life.

Instead of a “binary choice” between lockdowns and total freedom, this phase called for “vigilant flexibility,” as states and cities adapted to shifting circumstances. Public officials should strongly encourage masks and distancing as the economy tentatively reopens, and when hotspots arise, they should track the origins and “be ready to curtail specific activities.” We “need to focus on building public confidence” and instilling “the patience to get through what could be a hard fall and winter” (Scott Gottlieb and Yuval Levin June 14, 2020, WSJ).

How should the children of the King live in uncertain times when seen and unseen hazards and difficulties abound? As children of the King, we have a special responsibility. It requires a delicate balance. We are to stand firm upon the foundation of the Truth that we have received and yet be caring, affable, and flexible. We should be willing to modify our words and reactions.

Proverbs 27:12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Vigilant flexibility is what is needed! The apostle Paul told the Father’s children how to live wisely. Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. – Ephesians 5:15-16

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father has set the bar high for each of His children. But He is also made it possible to attain and realize His standards through the work of the Holy Spirit within us.

Father teach us to walk circumspectly and exercise diligent flexibility in the perilous times in which we live. Encourage us to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

INSIGHT

The Greek word translated as carefully, circumspectly is akribos. Akribos has a sense of exactness or thoroughness. When it comes to ethical decisions and behavior, it is often translated diligently, perfectly, circumspectly, or accurately. In other words, “pay close attention to how you behave” (UBS).

Consider how a cat can walk on top of a very thin narrow fence without falling. They are careful where they place each paw as they navigate their way. They walk circumspectly.

How do we live wisely?

Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

At a minimum, the Holy Spirit can be understood as a positive influence and a supernatural power source. He becomes our guide and companion as we navigate our way through life’s choices. The Holy Spirit is just the power source we need to be able to live wisely and walk circumspectly. He provides direction and the ability to accomplish what the Father sets before us.

The Greek verb translated as filled, be full is pleroo. Pleroo means to fill completely, to make full. In this context, it has the sense of being controlled or under the influence. It is contrasted to being intoxicated with alcoholic beverages.

Being filled has to do with control or influence. We take on the characteristics of what controls us. “In other words, the one who is filled is characterized by that which fills him, whether it be fruits of unrighteousness or righteousness (Phil 1:11)” (Hoehner).

In the Greek language, the verb is a command.  In simple English, it is a command, not a suggestion. The Father requires us to be filled continuously. Thus it could be accurately translated, “Be constantly, moment by moment, being controlled by the spirit” (Wuest).

The results of being full of the Holy Spirit continuously have a dramatic and wonderful effect. “Being drunk with wine leads to dissipation but being filled by the Spirit leads to joy in fellowship and obedience to the commands of the Lord’s will . . .” (Hoehner).

As we learn to live being filled or under the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, our wisdom grows, and our life choices improve.

Philippians 1:27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ . . . standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

“So, what Paul is saying is: ‘You and I know full well the privileges and the responsibilities of being a Roman citizen. You know full well how even in Philippi, so many miles from Rome, you must still live and act as a Roman does. Well then, remember that you have an even higher duty than that. Wherever you are, you must live as befits a citizen of the kingdom of God.’”

“What does Paul expect from them? He expects them to stand fast. The world is full of Christians on the retreat, who, when things become difficult, play down their Christianity. True Christians stand fast, and unashamed in any company. He expects unity; they are to be bound together in one spirit.”

“Let the world quarrel; Christians must be united. He expects a certain unconquerability. Often, evil seems invincible; but Christians must never abandon hope or give up the struggle. He expects a cool, calm courage. In times of crisis, others may be nervous and afraid; Christians will still be serene, in control of themselves and of the situation” (Barclay).

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© Dr. H 2022