The Newtown bee., 1898-01-07

ences? Does he mean for us to believe
that If we love God He will let US do
about as we please? Should we under
stand that because we love Him the In
finite One will let us have our own way
in life? That appears to have been the
heather idea of Gods favor. He was to
be won over by offerings, and fiattered
and pleased until He was willing to do
what they wanted done. But st Paul
does not say that because you love God
all things will work together just as you
want them to, so that you will have your
own way and get what you want. He
does not say that those who love God
will ALWAYS succeed in what they under
take. 1t does not follow that because
we love God we shall not make mistakes
and go wrong, or that we shall never be
disappointed. God is not partial, there
ia no favoritism about the divine ProVi-
dence; it is not a matter of luck or chance
or any fAtalism; the love of God is ac-
cording to eternal truth, righteousness,
Justice and mercy. Infinite love must be
thought of as in harmony with infinite
wisdom. Our love to God does not
change the eternal laws Of the universe
nor modify the universal principles of
moral conduct. Our love to God puts us
into right relations to Him and to the
world 80 that we are in harmony with the
laws of our own being, so that under all
the circumstances aAd conditions of life
'all things work together for good"
BECAUSE WE LOVE GOD
we love all that is right and good, and
because we love all that is right and good
we want to do right, and we want to at
tain unto that which is best, and there
fore, in the nature of the case our hearts
being right with God He can prompt US,
inspire US and direct US.
In the margin of the Revised Version
there is a note on our text which says ::
"Some ancient authorities read, God
worketh all things with them for good "
Because we love God He can work with
US and in us for good. But it we do not
love God we are living contrary to His
laws and working against His plans, and
the result cannot be good to US, nor to
others, nor to Him.
st Paul begins this chapter from which
our text is taken, by describing the state
of the true believer in his moral and spir
ltual attitude toward God: "There is
therefore now no condemnation to them
that are in Christ Jesus. For the law o.
the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me
free from the law of sin and of death.
Being born of the love of Christ we livt
in the Spirit, and living in the Spirit W.
are no longer under condemnation, anC
being in harmony with the eternal Spirit
purpose and holy affection of God we ar
His children by grace so that we are KEEP
In the right way of life, 60 that when W,
fall into error and transgress His perfec
law we are corrected and chastened, for
given and restored, and because we Low
Him, ''all things work together TO
good" to US.
st Paul then goes on to point out tn
contrasts between the carnal life and tn
life of the Spirit; the harm that come
; of living to the flesh and the good tina
comes by living in the Spirit. He Illus
trates the conflict between the lower an
the higher nature in us, describes tn
effects Of the law, and
SHOWS THE NEED OF DIVINE GRACE.
The effect of the law Is to restrain us b.
the penalties of disobedience; the effec
of grace is to keep us from doing evil b.
helping as to do good. The law Is owe
all whether obedient or disobedient; Blu
His grace is for His children who Low
Him; s'For as many "a are led by tn
Spirit Of God, these are Sons Of Cod
Being then Sons CT God, Our Heavenl,
Father loves us and trains US, discipline
and perfecta us that we may be prepared