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Finally, what an effect upon our walk and our attitude to others such a passage as
II Tim. 1: 9 should have:--
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before
the age times."
Let us then remember our calling, and seeing its grace and its glory, seek to walk
worthy of it "that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified".
#67.
The Walk and its Characteristics (Eph. 4: 2).
pp. 38 40
A frame of mind--a spiritual graciousness--is necessary before it is possible to
attempt to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of the peace.
"With all lowliness, and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in
love" (Eph. 4: 2).
The word "lowliness" is better rendered "humility of mind", which brings out more
clearly the contrast of verse 17, "vanity of mind". This word is so translated in
Acts 20: 19, where the apostle says:--
"Serving the Lord with all humility of mind."
We can imagine that some, nay many, if they had received the calling and commission
of the apostle Paul, would have displayed arrogance of mind, haughtiness, a temper that
would not brook denial or misrepresentation. If we would understand the causes that
combined together to make the change from Saul the Pharisee, "breathing out
threatenings and slaughter", to the humble, despised, faithful bond-servant of Christ, we
must follow his steps as recorded in the Acts and the Epistles, and realize that only a
close fellowship with the Son of God makes such a change either possible or permanent.
Unity without humility is hopelessly impossible.
"From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of
your lusts that war in your members? . . . . . Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4: 1-6).
So it is that the apostle, in Phil. 2:, links together "lowliness of mind" and "one
mind":--
"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord,
of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let
each esteem other better than themselves" (Phil. 2: 2, 3).