The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-09-18
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON XII, THIRD QUARTER, INTER
NATIONAL SERIES, SEPT. 20.
Text of the Lesson, Pet. Nv, Ill.
Memory Verses. 4, 2-GOlden Text,
Eph. v, IS-Commentary Prepared
by Rev. ID. VI. Stearns.

Eph. v, IS-Commentary Prepared
by Rev. ID. VI. Stearns.
copyright 1903. by American Press Association
/, q For as much then as Christ hath
suffered for US i'm the flesh, arm yourselves
likewise with the same mind.
In this epistle the Spirit has much 10
say TO the elect concerning a holy life
Il, 10, 10; ii, o. 10; iii, 15), because of
redemption 10y the precious blood and
the Inheritance 10 which we are thus
born again ii, %, 1929. He empha-
sizes Christs death for us bearing our
sins iii, n; iii. 49,, and in these open
ing words of our lesson confirms what
He had also said through Paul, that
all who by faith in Christ have died
with Him should no longer live unto
themselves, but unto Him who died
for them and rose again (Rom. vi, 4
II: III Cor. V, 49,. The believer is no
longer to consider his own will, but in
all things the will of God, even as
Christ never sought His own will nor
His own glory, but always the will of
Him who sent Him Qtom. Xii, l, >;
John vi, IS; viii, so. Being born of
God we have now Il divine nature
which cannot sin Il John iii, %, and
while this nature controls we cease
from sin. There is, however, a self
life remaining in the believer which
might sin, and to this we are to die al
ways III Cor. iv, 10, ID.
So. For the time past of our life may
suffice US TO have wrought the will of the
gentiles.
We were servants of sin all too long,
for TO whom we yield ourselves serv-
ants to obey his servants we are to
whom we obey, but now as servants
to God we seek fruit unto holiness,
walking in newness of life Rom. vi,
t, 10 22) The unsaved think it strange
to see a companion turn away from
the old life for they know not the love
of God ard are wholly self centered.
The redeemed. seeing the love Of God
manifested i'm the gift Of His dear Son
Il John iii. 10 and that it was for their
sins He died on the cross, suffering the
wrath of God due 10 them for sin, have
learned TO hate sin and renounce it and
all their former life. They see also
that while they shall not come into
judgment for their sins (John V, n;
Isa. Xiii, % they must appear at the
judgment seat of Christ as His re-
deemed TO be judged for their works
since they became His and Ice reward
ed accordingly CRom. xiv, 1912.
G. = The end of all things is at hand
Be we therefore sober and watch unto
prayer.
The gospel preached TO the dead, Of
which verse 6 speaks, can only mean
one of two things in the sight Of al
Scripture. All unbelievers are said to
be dead i'm sins (Eph. ii, - and during
this hour or age all such who truly
hear the gospel live, all who receive
Christ have life John V, %; John V,
~ Again. all who ever heard Of the
way of redemption by the blood of the
sacrifice Gall true sacrifices pointed to
Christi heard the gospel, SO it is writ
ten that the gospel was preached to
Abraham Gal. iii. -, and I'm chapter i,
10, IL, of this epistle it is said that the
Spirit of Christ in the prophets testified
beforehand the sufferings of Christ
and the glory that should follow. The
antediluvians, ana doubtless all others
who heard the gospel and rejected it,
were, when Peter wrote this epistle,
spirits in prison chapter iii, 19J. All
who hear the gospel and receive the
Lord Jesus are expected TO be filed
with the Spirit and live the gospel
(Eph. V, is; III Cor. iv, 10. IL. 1t is a
small thing TO be judged OF men, but
to remember that we must appear be-
form Him who will bring every work
into judgment (Eccl. xii. IL will great
~ help us to live uprightly. The
thought that our sojourn in the mortal
body may end any day and that the
end of this present age is surely fast
approaching should lead us TO great
holiness of life.
s. 9. And above all things have fervent
/ charity among yourselves. for charity
! shall cover the multitude of sins.
The word charity here, as in | Cor
| xiii, should be love-" and while no
amount Of love on our part will cover
any of our sins, for only the precious
] blood Of Christ can take away sins,
| true love will cover up many sins from
the eyes of others and will take all 10
/ Him who alone can forgive. He who
turns a sinner from the error Of his
way GAS. Y, 20) does not cover his own
sins thereby but the sins Of him whom
he thus turns 10 God. The love of Cod
who by the sacrifice Of His Son puts
away all the sins Of all who receive
Him should constrain all the redeemed
to live TO make known such love, that
all who will may have the forgiveness
of sins. Not only so. but as all we
have is from God we should remember
the words of our Lord. Freely We have
received. freely give" Matt. y. -.
10 II. That God in all things may be
/ Slorfed through Jesus Christ, to whom
| be praise and dominion forever and ever.
| Amen!
The grace of God is manifold and
each believer becomes a steward Of the