The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-14
sUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON.
For March 81, "Pnul's Message to the
Ephesfans," Eph esians II, 10.


| IN the last lesson we had an account o
| the mob raised by Demetrius at tphesu
| tActs xix 29-41), an attempt to overthrow
| the Christian church in that city. Paul am
| his associates unharmed in the excitement
continued their labors with much success
| and passed on to other cities. About 81!
years after, in fulfillment of an earnest de
| sire long cherished (Rom. !. lS). he visitet
Rome and was there confined in a prison
While thus shut in. deprived of intercours
with the brethren whom he loved, he exer
cised his high office as a religious teaches
by the only method open to him, that o
letter-writing. The book from which W.
study to-day was written at that time. L
has been highly priced by scholars of al
suited to believers OF all time. The verses
appointed fo- our present lesson treat three
great. topics showing the. Ephesians what
they had been what they had become ano
how the change occurred.
THE FORMER STATE.
DEAD-(Verse l. Spiritual death is the
term frequently employed in Scripture
CTim. V. g to indicate the state of man by
moral and religious faculties that relate
him to God. so that he is unable to render
the service which is due from the creature
to the creator. OEph. iv, 49, The first man
entered into this state when by an act of
disobedience. even after. divine warning
Gen. Ii. 10 he became aIisuated from God
came upon. the whole Fposterity of Adam
Rom. V, p. according to the operation of
the law of heredity. The blacklist page in
the history of mankind covers the records
of the sin that has followed. Paul alludes
to this state as dead IN trespasses and
sins, meaning that the waywardness Of
the Ephesians. like that of all other men.
was due to their lapsed and ruined condi-
ton.
WALkED-(Vcrses 2 and 81 Having de-
clared that the inward had caused the ont
ward, the apostle proceeded to show more
fully the deplorable conduct of the Ephesi-
ans In their former condition. They walked
that Is. behaved. according to the course
Of this world" having supreme regard to
the interests and demands of this earthly
life. And this was under the guidance and
inspiration of that foul spirit that works
in the minds and hearts of the disobedient.
There can he no doubt that reference is
here made to diabolical influence exerted
upon the mass of men. (Col. iii. 81 As a
consequence of that influence the people fol-
in that regard they differed in no respect
from the great multitude about them. In
deed they were Il part of that common hu-
manity among whom they had intercourse
whose Ideals and practices were SlaviShly
followed.
THE PRESENT STATE.
oUICkENED-(Verses and 81 over
against this state of death the apostle
rect power of God. they had been quick
ened. Rom. vi. and 81 That new life
had been impaired In and through Jesus
Christ .CCol. iii. a. SO that forever they
must feel that their life was hid with
Christ in God. Col. Ill. 81 There is refer
ence here to the spiritual union between
the believer and the savior tAc;s. xvi 81.
effected by faith resulting in new ex-
perence. called the new birth. 0ohn Iii. b
This quickening did not result from any re-
form or indeed from any good thought or
act on the part OF the people-it was purely
and solely caused by the act of God. And
that act was prompted only by his great
love. wherewith he loved men John xii. 16).
and not for any goodness and merit seen
In them. God was not only the agent, but
also the source of the new life.
RAISED-Werse g.. Over against the old
associations had in the world the apostle
puts the new and more blessed associations
into which the Ephesians had entered
They had been raised up or elevated out of
great as to horrify the philosophers of that
time, and they had been brought into heav-
emily places. into the company of the pure
and holy. Heb. xii. 22) They are repre-
sumed by those who expect to remain So
these people have come into that permanent
relation which H. profitable and delightful.
rhey form part Of the great family. some of
whom are living and some have passed on
into the life beyond-a noble company Of
martyrs of prophets. of apostles and of
saints out of all lands and ages. And this
fellowship. SO delightful and exalted Is de-
clared by the apostle TO be in and through
Christ Jesus He is thus recognized as the
center and bond of the new household
,Eph. iii, 15)
THE DIVINE FAVOR
sHowN-(verse ~ The change so pro-
iuced in the Ephesians-from death to life
rom degradation to exaltation-was, MS
Paul affirmed by the good will of God In
he remainder OF the lesson he laws empha-
us up this point What was so done was
display of "the exceeding riches of grace;
what could not be otherwise known had
leen shown in this manner. The depths of
he wonderful goodness of God cannot be
athomed. neither can its bounds be ex-
llored. but bv his acts In behalf OF sinners
me may catch views Of 1t. Nor Is this ALL
Through all the ages to come. the centuries
nan history and those other centuries that
must succeed the Judgment. during all that
line will be shown In clearest light the
,mazing kindness Of God toward men,
Titus III. ~ This is one method chosen by
lin to reveal himself to the intelligent uni
hem of the angels to tho shepherds at the
dvent Of Jesus. duke II, 14)
FREE-Verses s and 81 This favor, 70
displayed, was unmerited. It was not OBJ
aimed bv works Rom. Ill. 20l. in which case
nan might claim some credit but Il was
'ratuitous. or free 1t came out of tho very
leart of the Almighty as the water bursts
rom the fountain II was not nurchased
race. but undeserved grace. BY grace
non are saved-that word saved tells tho
whole story of mans helplessness and of
Gods goodness and power. This aspect of
he divine favor was something new. Ju-
SIN Of ohservencee designed to win favor.
Both said DO this and God will be
LEASED" The gospel said. God is ready 10
less YOU. only believe it, He offers n
lift. but 1t must be accepted. So comes the
aith-the one teaching that wins man
wherever II is delivered.