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you follow the rules given, and obey the coach! The Christian life is compared to
bor? How much must a Christian love his neighbor ? V. 15. What figure is behind the words “bite and devour” ? Do these words de scribe a condition that prevailed in Gala tia? What effect do factions, disputes, etc., have upon Christian churches? V. 16. What is meant by “walk by the Spirit” ? What is meant by the words “ fulfill the lust o f the flesh” ? May a Christian find complete and abiding vic tory over the lust of the flesh? V. 17. Does the Holy Spirit have any thing in common with the flesh ? Is it wise to attempt any compromise between' the two? May a Christian do the things that the flesh prompts him to do? V. 18. What does it mean to be “led by the Spirit” ? If one is led by the Spirit, , what is his relation to “the law” ? Vs. 19-21. How many things are men tioned in the catalog of “ lusts of the flesh” ? Into what groups do they fall? Can ■any one who practices such things “inherit the kingdom” ? How may one be delivered from such practices? Vs. 22, 23. With what is “ fruit” con trasted? How many graces of the Spirit are mentioned? Into what groups may they be divided? How may love be con sidered as the all-inclusive grace? In what sense is there no law against such Chris tian graces ? V. 24. What does it mean to be “of Christ Jesus” ? What is meant by cruci fixion o f the flesh? At what time in the Christian’s experience 'did it occur ? What is the effect of such crucifixion upon “the passions and the lusts” ? V. 25. What is meant by the words “live by the Spirit” ? WHat is included in the idea o f the Christian’s “walk’'’ ? V. 26. About what faults which may have been common in the Galatian churches did Paul give warning? * * * P ractical P oints 1. Paul’s great theme in Galatians, as m Romans, is justification by faith. In Galatians he shows man before justifica tion to be without righteousness ( 2 :21; 3: 21), under the curse of the law (3:13), dead in sin (3:10-21). When justified he is in a state of grace (5 :14) ; righteous ness is reckoned to him (2:21; 3 :6). He has the blessing of Abraham in Christ (3: 9-14). Justification implies two things. First, remission o f sin (1:4; 3:14, 22). Second, imputation of Christ’s righteous ness (2:21; 3:27). None can be justified by the works of the law (2 :16; 3 :21; 5 :4 ), but only through faith in Christ (2:16, 31; 3 :24). As a result of justification the believer has a mystical union with God (2 :20). He is a son of God (3 :26; 4 :4-7). He is an heir (3:8, 9; 4:7). Sanctifica tion in the sense o f inherent righteousness is also possible for the believer. It consists o f a living in faith (2:20), walking by the Spirit (5:16, 25), being led by the Spirit (5:18), bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit (5:22, 23; 6:2-6). Negatively, it means the putting off of the- old man (5:13, 17), renouncing the works of the flesh (5:19-21), crucifixion of the flesh (2:20; 5:24), not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh (5:16), dying to the world (6:14). 2. Galatians is essentially a doctrinal epistle. In this age of loose thinking there
BLACKBOARD LESSON
a game, or a race, and for the sake of winning the grand prize, all that would hinder is laid aside. Read w h a t Paul said about it. Lesson S t o r y .— You have probably never seen a saloon, b u t have h e a r d about them. You can help to keep them
T empérance
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a i i a S P I R I T . ” The Great Weapon Against emptation. /■O.M. Oct. 26.
from ever returning to our land, by do ing your part, just where you are, stand ing for temperance. Paul wrote this letter from which our lesson is taken, to Galatian Christians. He had visited Galatia, and founded a church there, beginning his work with the Jews. Then, as the Greeks came into the syna gogue to worship God too, the Jews did not like it because they did not strictly follow all the ceremonies and forms which they considered necessary to salvation. But Paul told them that they were free from those old ceremonial laws. They were not essential, since Jesus was the Lamb o f God, slain for .the sins of the world, and salvation comes through sim ple faith in Him and His power to save by the blood shed on Calvary for the whole world. Then Paul told them not to use this liberty in such a way that they would be selfishly ignoring or overlooking the rights of Others. The love o f Christ in their hearts would cause them to love one another, and be ready to serve one another. Your “walk” is the way you live daily. If you belong to Jesus, are yielded to Him, led by His Spirit, then you are “walking” by the Spirit, or living with His guidance and power. And if you are thus led, your influence will be for good to others. It might be that some things you enjoy doing would not harm you; yet, if in any way they,cause others to stumble, you will give them up rather than hinder any other soul from walking with Jesus. Because we know that alcohol is harm ful, and drunkenness one o f the most awful sins, we will use all our influence in every way possible to prevent the use of it. This is a way in which we may “shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine!” Are you shining for the Lord where you are? Prayer. Saved Through a Hymn Hymns can help into life, and out of life. An aged saint told the writer that, as a young, girl, roused and anxious, she picked up from the pavement a loose page that had fallen from a hymn book, and read this verse:— Let not conscience make you linger, Nor o f fitness fondly dream; She saw, believed, and was saved on the spot. Hymns can also voice the last anthems of the soul. The dying Glad stone, racked by excruciating pain, in his worst bouts could be heard in a voice of extraordinary fervor saying, “Praise to the Holiest in the height!” —The Dawn. All the fitness He requireth Is to feel your need o f Him.
is much opposition to creeds, but unless we believe correctly we will never live correctly. 3. The epistle to the Galatians is a strong argument that doctrinal errors should be met vigorously and effectively (cf. Jude 3). 4. There is need today, as in Paul’s day, to emphasize the greaf doctrine o f justification by faith, around which every thing in Christianity centers. 5. Note the repetition of the words “one another.” By love we are to serve one another (v. 13). By hatred we may consume one another (v. 15). By an un charitable disposition we may provoke one another (v. 26). As true Christians we bear one another’s burdens (6:2). 6. Some who insist upon “personal lib erty” mean not only that they want the right to indulge their passions as they please, but also the privilege of disregard ing the rights of all others. The Chris tian’s “ freedom” is a totally different thing. 7. Love in its highest aspect is exhib ited in loyal service to others. The Lord Jesus gave an example when He washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:12-15, 34, 35). 8. The Christian has died to sin (Rom- 6 :2) ; his privilege is to “reckon” con stantly that he died to sin in Christ (Rom. 6:11) ; therefore, sin need riot reign in the mortal body (Rom. 6:12-14). —o—- G olden T ext I llustration The story is told about Henry Drum mond that on one occasion he remon strated with a coachman who was given to drunkenness by asking him, “What if you should lose control of your horses, and they should start down a steep hill ? What could you do?” The coachman ad mitted that he could no nothing. The minister- continued, “ But what if there were one by your side stronger than you who was able to stop the horses?” The coachman replied, “ I would give him the reins.” “Then said Mr. Drummond, “There is One by your side all the time who will take the reins o f your appetite and will curb it for you, if you will only let Him do it. He is Christ. Give Him the reins of your life.” * * * World’s Temperance Sunday Gal. 5 :13-26 Memory Verse. —“E v e r y ma n that striveth in the games exerciseth self-con trol in all things” (1 Cor. 9:25). Approach. —If you are preparing for a game o f baseball or basketball with some other team, how carefully and willinglly
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