Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1902-03-19
GOLDEN TENT.-Be not drunk with
wine wherein ~ eNcesS.-Eph. 5:IS.
LESSON ANAI.YSIS


Walking In Love Eph 81 .
WWdtkiiG IN purity .................. Eph. 5.3-6
\Wv@iiktins IN night ...............; Eph. u
waning a. wise ................. Eph. 5.l5-2l
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The Epistle to the Ephesians.-
Paul wrote this letter while he was II
prisoner at Rome. in \. ID. 81 or go.
1t was probably sent with the letters
To the ColoSsians and to Philemon.
and IL closely resembles the eDistle
to the ColoSSians in outline and man
ner OF thought. No special reason is
mentioned IN the epiStle for its writ
ing, and II seems TO have been low
ing pastoral salutation. Some of the
Oldest manuscripts omit the name
EphesuS in ii, one or two having a
blank space there. That fact has led
some to think that it was general
letter written to be sent to various
churches. Some have identified it
with Pauls epistle TO the Lao
diceans. writing which is men.
toned in some early Christian liter
allure, but which is not now known
unless this suggestion be correct
Walking in Lovc.-Of Paul's sum
mary OF Christian duty, the heart is
5;l-21. In this passage there is com
parativcly little reference to specific
duties. but much dwelling on the
spirit which will make the doing of
every duty delight. by walking in
love Paul means that self-forgct full
desire to serve others which was the
spirit that moved Christ to His great
sacrifice.
Walking in Purity.-The Christian
life furnishes no place for seif-indul-
gent immortality. Such sins as are
spoken of here were terribly com
mon in all the cities OF the Greek,
and Roman world. The Testing" of
verse is not innocent Joking. but
filthy wit and smutty humor. The
first clause of verse alludes to the
false reasons which are often givcn
in excuse for sins of this sort. There
is no real excuse for them. but the
wrath OF God falls on them.
Walking in Light.-The great rea-
son why the Christian must practice
personal purity is found i'm Is rela
tion to God. Gods light is too bright
for the darkness of human filth to
stand before it. Some. however. while
seeking Gods light. try also to keen
in touch with the worlds wickedncss
enough TO know what bad men are do
ing such fellowship Paul rcbukes. de-
claring that the attitude of the Chris
tian must he one Of opposition to all
impurity. If the light of Christ really
shine i'm the life il will rcprove deeds
of darkness. The Christlikc Iir. i
one of straightforward, simple. trans
parent purity. The quotation in verse
u is believed to he from an early
hymn. but there is no certain proof
that such is the fact.
Walking as Wisc.-This last sec
ton il q call to careful living. II i,
not enough to strive for purity Of
spirit. but one must watch constant.
Iy the outworking of his spirit i'm
life In verse 1G the duty of the
Christian is likencd TO that Of the
tradcsman buying stock for his store
He must keep his eyes open for good
bargains, and must see to il that all
good opportunities for purchase are
accepted promptly Especially must
be be very careful when bargains be-
come rare. such situation is before
the Christian. lie must strive the
more carefully 10 use every oppor-
tunity for noble. Christlikc deed
because Of the evil by which he is
surrounded i'm the world. The great
essential qualification for such living
according TO verse II. is knowIcdp,.
Of Gods will. such knowledge. Joined
with cleanliness of spirit. is the crown
ing strength Of the true life. Every
life needs periods Of excitement and
cNhultatiou. Such rclicfs from mo-
nOtony should he found 10y the Chris
tian not i'm drunkenness or i'm arti-
fetal stimulation. but in the special
STRINGS Of the Holy Spirit. such
STRINGS will find utterance in songs
of Christian praise. which rise from
the heart; in expressions OF thanks
giving 10 God through Christ for
every experience Of life. whether II
seem good or bad: and i'm the self
humbling fellowship which accents
admonition and suggestions from
fellow Christians
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
Walk in purity DO not go where
the very atmosphere is polluted with
foul thoughts
There is AN oriental story TO the
effect that % wise old shcik gave n
young Arab prince from whom he
was about TO part, q list Of evils
bidding him choose the one which TO
him seemed the least harmful Tho
young prince turned IN horror from
murder. theft, loss Of virtue. and toId
the patriarch that he would choose
incompetence. Said the wise old man:
You have chosen that which will
hrfpor t.,,t an