The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1893-11-22
STUDIES In THE EpISTLES.
THE sl'NDAY-SCHOOL LESSONS.
GRATEFUL OBEDIENCE.
December Sd, 1898.
James /: 1921.

James i: 1927.
GOLDEN TEXT John iv: 10 =" We
love him, because he first loved us"
James, "the brother of our Lord"
was the head Of the Church at Jeru-
salem. He is sometimes called
"James the Just" He was a min
lister of Christ of strong character
and extensive influence. From
Jerusalem he sent this letter to
Christian Jews with whom he would
have great respect and power, as
pastor at Jerusalem. His object is
evidently not so much to teach
Christian doctrine as Christian du-
ty. In the midst of persecution
and poverty they greatly needed his
words of counsel and comfort. 1t
is a practical letter, reminding us of
the Sermon on the Mount.
Our lesson explains the practical
nature of true religion.
1. The Origin of True Religion, u.s.
IS 1S-It is the gift of the heavenly
Father to the children whom he
loves. do not err" "Be not de-
ceived." Do not allow yourselves
to be deceived into thinking that
God is responsible for sin, or for it's
consequences. On the contrary,
good gifts come from Him. Every
good gift and every perfect boon is
from above, coming down from the
Father of lights" God is likened
to the sun, which gives so largely,
so freely, so impartially, with such
great and far-reaching blessing.
God, as the Father of lights, is
without variableness." There are
no variations of purpose or plan,
like the changes of day and night,
and winter and summer "Neither
shadow of turning" or shadow
that is cast by turning" Here is
Gods unchangeableness. And our
religion is from this great giver
This is the way it has come to us.
V. Is. 'Of his own will begat he
US with the word of truth, that we
should be kind of first fruits of
his creatures" We are his children.
"The word of truth" was Gods
means in our new birth. His OBJ
ject was to make US the first fruits
of great harvest, the first sheaves
of his great ngathering.
II. The Requirement of True Re6-
gjOn, Us. 19-27.-The lesson teaches
some of the things that are expect
ed of us, and are the fruits of true
religion.
l. TeachGbIe -" Wherefore, my be-
loved brethren" Since you are
children of God, those things must
be true Of you. "SMift to near" Is
put with contrast, slow to speak. -
More ready to learn than anxious to
speak. Not idle takers.
2. "Slolo to Wrath," the virtue of
self-control, avoiding anger And q
reason is given: For the wrath of
man worketh not the righteousness
of God" Angry passion cannot ac-
complish Gods righteousness in
you, nor help you to Gods righteous
work.
3. Filled a0ith the Word, as. 21.-
Casting out evil-impurity, all filth.
iness-we should with meeknes, ,
with su omissive spirit, receive the
migrated word" the word which
God implants, to produce fruit OF
it's own. (Which is able to save
your souls"
4. ActjUely Obeying the Word, q. %
"Be ye doors of the word" Not only
to do, but to "be doors of the word
habitually, constantly, as though il
were our occupation, our life. This
is required of us, not that we be
hearers only, "deceiving your owl
selves" You may delude yourself
supposing that you will be accepted
of God because you have heard the
gospel.
III. An Illustration of the Vanit2
of Hearing Without Doing, Us. %, "a
A man may behold his face in g
mirror, and at once go away forget
ting his own face, what manner oil
man he is And so a man may be
ga nearer of the word, and not 6
doer" He may carry away no last.
ing impression, no lesson of truth
nothing to make him better or hap.
pier in his life.
But there is a better way, V. %
Gods word is not a law of bondage
but "a perfect law of liberty" AND
whose looketh" peereth closely into
it. Not merely hearing, but with
intense personal desire scan it close
ly to know its truth and then is
not a forgetful hearer, but "a doer oil
the work, this man "shall be bless
nd N hfu -