The People Of This Pattern

Let us  begin today to muse on a new section of Philippians 2:17-30 which deals with the people of this pattern. It is here that Paul gives living examples of this pattern. In verses 17-18 there is Paul a pattern of sacrifice. In verse 17 I see a sacrifice of joy. The word offer used  here is the pouring of oil and wine on the O.T. offering. Paul is so over come with their faith he is rejoicing in the Lord. The word rejoice means to spend around like a top. In this verse we also find the sacrifice of Jesus. He has taken them to Calvary, where Christ called it the joy set before Him. In verse 18 he invites us to rejoice with him. when we survey the wondrous cross on which the prince of glory died, it will be hard to be full of  a complaining spirit. George Chin the great missionary in China was arressted  and placed in a hard labor camp. He was in charge of emptying the bathrooms each day. He sung this song while he did it,”I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses. And He walks with me and talks with me and tells  me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known”.My, My, what an example!