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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
October, 1934
meekness, and temperance (or self-con trol) : The faith is a spirit of trustfulness and simplicity which is free from suspi cion; the meekness rises from a sense of one’s own frailty and weakness, and a consideration of the character of the Lord Jesus Christ; the temperance is that grace which keeps the body and mind constantly under control, so that one’s poise is never impaired. The fruit of the Spirit, in its perfection, is to be seen only in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. To live otherwise than by the Spirit is to deny what has been the outcome of faith in Christ (v. 24). Any other manner of life is inconsistent for the Christian. III. T he C hristian C itizen in R elation to the S pirit (25, 26). The conclusion is that since “we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (v. 25). Only through this relationship will there be a continual deliverance from evil and a continual enjoyment and mani festation of the Spirit’s graces. Such a walk will deliver one from all vainglory and spiritual pride. The Spirit- led Christian will be careful not to provoke or envy another believer, but will strive, on the other hand, to provoke others to love and good works (Heb. 10:34). In the matter of effective Christian living, every thing depends upon the Christian’s full surrender to the Holy Spirit. The measure of one’s surrender determines the extent of his deliverance from the works of the flesh and the scope of his enjoyment of the “things of the Spirit.” Points and Problems 1. Although the lesson committee has chosen to entitle this lesson “The Christian Citizen,” it should be carefully noted that the “liberty” of verse 13 does not refer primarily to political liberty, but to. a spiritual liberty. The Galatians were in serious danger of falling away from grace back to the law as a means of salvation, and this meant spiritual bondage. There fore, in verses 1 to 13, the apostle exhorts them to stand fast in “the liberty where with Christ hath made us free” (v. 1). Nothing could be more important. To abandon grace, or even to add the slightest particle of law, is to lose the whole of Christianity (vs. 3, 4). 2. But on the other hand, the Christian is not to use his blessed liberty for “an oc casion to the flesh” (v. 13). In other words, we are not to say that since we are saved by grace we may live as we please in obedi ence to the lusts of the flesh. If we do, we prove that we know nothing of the grace of God. It is here that the passage touches the problem of Christian living in relation to the civil state. If we are free from the law, how can we submit to the law? The answer is that we are to “walk in the Spirit” and thus bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is “love, joy, peace, long- suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (v. 23). The law is “for the lawless,” not for the righteous (1 Tim. 1 :9). 3. Verse 24 states the formula for deal ing with the flesh: “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections [“passions,” R. V.] and lusts.” The cruci fying here is not something that we can do. It is something done. The Greek word means to fix to a cross. And this cross is not ours, but Christ’s. When we believed, we were crucified with Him on His cross. Let us believe it, and we shall have victory.
Golden T ext Illustration Philip of Macedon, having obtained the honor of an unexpected victory, was ob served to look very much dejected. On being asked the reason, he replied that the honors which were obtained by the sword might also be lost by the sword. “They that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matt. 26:52).— 1,000 Acts and, Facts, by P ick erin g . Jesus’ Law in One Word G a la tia n s 5 ¡13-26 Memory Verse: “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is- the fulfil ling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). Approach: As we read in the Bible about Jesus’ life while He was here on earth, we begin to understand how filled with
Object Lesson S topping F ig h ts Objects: A pair of scissors with the screw taken out. Lesson: What are scissors made for? Do you think your mothers could use these scissors for cutting? Notice how they poke and scratch each other. It would be very difficult to get them to cut a piece of cloth in this condition. These scissors are very much like boys and girls. They, as a rule, fuss and fight more than they work. Listen to these scis sors saying, “I will cut if you will let me cut by myself. I don’t want to work with my brother. He doesn’t cut straight. I should much rather scratch and gouge him than work with him.” Mother could never make a dress with scissors like these. What is wrong with these scissors? Yes, the screw which holds them together is missing. Here is the screw. We will fas ten them together and see if they work any better. They now work perfectly. It is just this way in life. When boys are held together with the screw of love, they can do hard tasks without fighting. Sisters can do many things for mother if the screw of love holds them together. Nations could work together harmoniously if Christian love bound them together. Now let us ask ourselves the question: How do we get the love which keeps us from fighting? We do not get this kind of love for a brother or sister by being born in the same home. Brothers and sisters are often the worst enemies. This love is re ceived when we accept Christ as Saviour. The best way to end fighting in the home is for each one to accept Christ as Saviour. If all the people of the earth were Chris tians and were bound together with Chris tian love, there would be no more wars; but this will never happen, for Christ said that there will be wars and rumors of wars until He comes. The only way to end fights of any kind is to give people the gospel of Christ. in the overflowing of iniquity or lawless ness (2 Thess. 2). But although believers are spoken of as “salt” and as “light,” our Lord pronounces a warning against the danger of the loss of the effectiveness of these agencies—a warning which should guard the Christian from loose living of any kind. Constant watchfulness is de manded. Christians are “the light of the world” (vs. 14-16). As long as Jesus was upon earth, He was, as He Himself declared, “the light of the world” (John 8:12). But now that His bodily presence is no longer manifested, His followers furnish the only light this world has. The Holy Spirit makes clear the method by which the Christian is to shine—by “holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:16). What the world needs
love He was. If God had not loved us, He would not have sent His Son to live and to die for us. And if Jesus had not loved us, He would not have made this great sacrifice for us. All through His life on e a r t h , J e s u s did things which showed His love.
Lesson Story: Many times Jesus said to His disciples: “Love one another.” He even said: “Love your enemies.” This doesn’t mean to love sin. Jesus hated sin. We, too, can hate sin, and still not hate the person who does the sinning. After Jesus left this earth, His dis ciples kept on telling people to love one another. And where there is love, there also will be other things which will help people to live happily together. Paul tells us some of these things: joy, peace, long- suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek ness, temperance. Through all of the years since the Lord Jesus Christ was on earth, it has often happened that Jesus’ disciples have for gotten His law of love. It is so easy to be tired and cross and unkind, especially when we think that some one is being cross and unkind to us. It would be a very different world if every one obeyed this law of love, if when we woke up in the morning, we prayed, “Lord, help me to be loving in ev erything I do and say today. No matter what happens, keep me from being cross and unkind.” Shall we try it this week? Let us pray this prayer now. Golden Text: “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Eph. 5:30). Outline and Exposition I. T h e C haracter of C h u r c h M embers (Matt. 5:13-16). C h r ist ia n s are designated as the pre servative element in society (v. 13). Without them, the entire body politic would become utterly corrupt and wholly given over to Satan and his designs. It is only the presence of Christians upon the earth which preserves whatever of good there may be in the world—for every be liever in the Lord Jesus Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. And it will be the ab sence of Christians which will at last result
NOVEMBER 18, 1934 THE CHRISTIAN AS CHURCH MEMBER M a tth ew 5:13-16; A cts 2:41-47
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