EXTRACTS

How important, dear brethren, to go to the care meeting, as we call it, charged in one’s mind with the good things described here! (Philippians 4: 8, 9). We shall need the balance they afford, the steadiness that they give. Although we may be dealing with bad things, there are good things; and there are more good things among the brethren than bad things; the bad things are deplorable, but it is in the possession and power of the good that we can meet them. Hence the importance of making the most of the good; that is what helps most; that is our ammunition, as it is said, “Overcome evil with good” (Romans 12: 21); not by argument and controversy, although spiritual reasoning may be necessary at times; but the thing here is the possession of good; all that comes of love is good; and the apostle is pleased by the Spirit to name these good things for us.

J. Taylor (Vol. 46, p.389)

There is a difference between being crucified with Christ and being circumcised in Him. Being crucified with Him refers to the place which we take up in the world—a place of reproach and contempt. But circumcision is what the world cannot take account of at all; it is the death of Christ as known in the heart and spirit of the believer, and taken account of by God. The believer who has come to it has no confidence in the flesh; he is morally clear of it in his spirit with God.

C. A. Coates (‘Outline of Leviticus’, p.136)

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