Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-12-14
Hints to the TEACHER.

hlnts the Iebsners
The text for to-day's lesson is as fol-
lows:
/ 6. If we say that w, have fellowship
with him. and walk in darkness, We lie,
and do not the truth:
Z. But If we walk I'm the light, as he is
in the light. we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his
Son cleanseth us from all sin.
s. If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not In
us.
g. If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10. If we say that we have not sinned.
we make him liar, and his word is not in
us.
!. My little children, these things write I
unto you, that ye sin not And if any man
sin, we have an advocate With the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous:
2. And he is the Precipitation for our sins:
and not for ours only, but also for the
sins of the whole world.
3. And hereby we do know that we know
him, If we keep his commandments
4. He that SAITH I know him, and keep
eth not his commandments, is q liar, and
the truth Is not in him.
5. But whose keepeth his word in him
verify is the love of God perfected: here
by know we that we are in him.
6. He that saith he abideth in him ought
himself also SO to walk. even as he
walked.
l. Requisites for Salvatlon.-1. Recognl-
ton of sin. Verse 8. The first requisite
for getting sin out of us is to recognize
sin in us. The drunkard cannot be res
cued until he knows his danger; the sim
ner cannot be saved until he acknowl-
edges to himself that no is a sinner. 2.
Confession of sin. Verses 3. 10. So long as
Il. 4, 4 l..
consciousness he remainJ a sinner still.
But when he confesses il to God and be-
fore Gods people he has taken the first
step toward salvation. g. Seeking Christ
Verses /, 2. There Is One who can take
away our sins; one who is at once our
High Priest and our Precipitation. We
must seek him IL we would be saved g.
Obedience to Christ. Verses 3-5. The only
way In which We can come to Christ is
the way of absolute self-surrender. We
must submit our wills to his. This Is the
requirement to keep his command
ments." 5. Imitation of Christ. Verse 6.
We have model for our life in the con-
duct Of Jesus Christ. We should live as
he lived, and walk in the same spirit with
him.
III. Privileges in Salvation.-1. Illumina-
ton. Verses 81. That Is. walking in the
light. 1t is great privilege to walk In
light while the world round is in mid
night, as israel IN EGYPT had light during
the plague of darkness. The believer has
an unerring guide. and a lamp. like a
headlight shines upon his way 9. Eel
lowship. Verses 6. Z. Two kinds of fell
lowship are here indicated as the privilege
of the believer. fellowship with God
through Christ Jesus. and fellowship with
one another. The Christian has a key
which opens a secret door for meeting
with the King; and he has enjoyment al
so In the companionship of those who are
lke-minded with himself. 8. Pardon.
Verses $40. We have sin. 1t is true: but
our sin is forgiven and taken away, so
that ii Is no longer registered against us.
The record is erased. and no man can lay
aught to our charge. 4. Purity. Verses
S-10. Our sin Is not only forgiven, but its
effects in US are taken away. A new ma
ture is implanted within US. so that we
lead new lives and enjoy new fellowships.
5. Advocacy. Verses l, 2. We have One
who stands as our intercessor with the
Father. "A friend at court" has often
been of great service: how fortunate is
he who finds an advocate in the Prince
himself. g. Assurance. Verses Sc. The
believer need not walk through life in the
twilight of uncertainty. doubling. "Am
i his, or am / not?" He can enjoy the
consciousness of his acceptance and know
that he knows God.