AT A BURIAL
Jim Lovie
Paul is very happy and buoyant as he addresses the brethren at Philippi, thanking God for his remembrance of them in his prayers. We have remembrances of our sister in her path as she went in and out amongst us, having part in the testimony of the Lord. I would just say that one thing that marked her was consistency. Paul is rejoicing in his spirit and in his affections in the preciousness of the links of love that flowed between him and the Philippian saints "from the first day until now." How consistent they were.
Then he goes on to speak about their part in the glad tidings. What a precious thing that is. He speaks about the work that God had begun in them, "that He will complete till Jesus Christ's day". The work began early with our sister, the reception of the gospel, her part with the brethren in the breaking of bread and in the testimony of our Lord - a very wonderful thing at the present time. And there is a future day, the day of glory when Christ will "be glorified in His saints and wondered at in them that have believed". Paul is speaking of what has been done in the brethren, not just for them. What God does in us is a deeper matter. What is here in testimony now will come out in display in the day of Jesus Christ. Every soul who loves that day loves to be with the Lord in His testimony, in the maintenance of His rights down here.
In Psalm 147 - "He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds. He counteth the number of the stars; he giveth names to them all." God made every star. Our sister shone. She has been a star here and she will have her part in the coming day of glory with the myriads of the saints. In the meantime we should be in the enjoyment of what is eternal and unfading and what is reserved in the heavens. Our sister's part in the testimony was unseen down here but heaven took account of it. She will have her part in the coming day of glory. What is our measurement of love, love for Christ, for the people of God, for the testimony down here? The day of display will be public - completed until the day of Jesus Christ.