Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-09-19
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments foI
September 20.
Subject: Abstinence From Evil, Peter w., /.
H-Gelien Text. Eph. W, lS-Memory
Verses, l-2-Commentary on
the DAYS Lesson.

"iNSH hSh's Hphs Vss lO-WSiuUIy
! Verses, l-2-Commentary on
the Days Lesson.
:. The true life Tvs. l, y. /. "Foras'
mr, h. Compare SIS. The apostle points
us 40 Christs sutIerinss as an example
such as animated him to suffer all the evils
to which you may be exposed in the body
and particularly to suffer death, if called
by God to do so for Your religion; For
this will be armor-proof against all your
enemies. There is still fighting, for sin
will he, moestingg you; though wounded
seek to wound its enemy; it will assault
the graccs that are in you. You may take
the Lords promise for victory; that shall
not fail; but do not promise yourself ease
in the way, for that viii not hold HE
that hath suffered" etc. 1t is only by a
with a readiness to suffer with Christ. that
the power of sin over you can be made to
cease.
2. "No longer should live Referring
to the preceding clause, "-Arm yourselves
with the same mind that was in Christ.
in order to live no longer in the flesh to
the lusts of men. but to the will of God"
We cannot deliver ourselves from the filth
of sin; but when we are renewed, taking
on likeness of Christ, then we are armed
against the lusts and dedlements Of the
world. ITO the will of God" This will
be new life. The only true way to live
is to live in harmony with the will of God.
II. The old life Tvs. 3, ~: 8. MAY
suffice" A gentle way OF saying we have
spent too long a time in our sins. .'Of
the Centiies." The term Gentiles here
means evil ones; incorporate, wicked and
,d1vIrp n
by God and man. Excess of wine," etc.
!ntemperance was curse i'll the apostles
day. as we'll as in our own. He utters
against it condemnation of no uncertain
sound. Every person and especially every
man of God should be outspoken against
intemperance. "Abominable idoiatries."
In an age when. S,ensuality was wrought
into all forms of ltcratu rc and art. was
blazoned shamelessy in the decorations of
private houses. and enshrined in the tenn
pies of the gods, the contrast of "a chaste
and Cody conversation in the Christian
community witnessed, for the saving and
cleansing power of the, Gospel. The ex-
hortations of tic apostles at once testify
of this contrast, and urge that it be made
empha etEi;;,- - ,.. - r. :, =. =. ,,... -
the carnal man to see the child of God
disdain the pleasures of sin; he knows not
the higher: and pprer pleasures that the
Rather, Same slough. Of debauchery.",
'"speasing evil of YOU" The wicked and
dissolute always have sneer for those
who refuse to share in their evil doings.
The wicked do not hesitate to speak falsely
when they meet a Christian.
Tvs. s., s.. S. 'shall give account" He
hath the day set: and it shall surely come,
though they think it far off. Though the
wicked themselves forget their SCOTS
against the gody. and though the Christian
sights them and let's them pass. they
pass not so; they are all registered; and
the great court-day shall call them to ac--
withal for all their reproaches of the godly
ways Ready to Judge" See chap. i:6.
As the salvation Of the cody is fully ar
ranged, so is the. Judgment of their calum-
niator s., whether living or dead,
that formerly received the Gospel received
it upon these terms. And they are now
dead; all the pain of diving is over for
them. II they had not died to their sins
by the Gospel, they had died in them, and
so died eternally. 1t is therefore wise
death in. us before we die. If we will not
part with sin. if we die in it and with it,
we shall perish forever: but if it die first,
before us, then we live forever. Live :.
to God" A bitter fountain sends forth
bitter waters; sweet fountain. waters
that are sweet, A soul living in God will
show that life by action. If the heart be
right in the sight of Jehovah, the outward
man will reflect His image.
Nv. Various eXhcrtationS Tvs. 7-1D. Z.
END :. at hand" This might have
been said at any point of the worlds
it and appointed its period, a thousand
1oi-
sand years a great matter in respect of
our short life. But what is the utmost
| length of time, were it millions Of years,
to Il thought of eternity: To reach man
the end of all things is. even after our
measure. at hand; for when he dies the
unto prayer" Sobriety is the friend of
watchfulness, and prayer of both. When
the affections are kept quietly under con-
| troll, and care is taken that even in lawful
things they follow the world but lightly;
| when the necessary duties of this life are
| done faithfully, yet with mind free and
dlsengaged. then the soul can more easily
turn to spiritual things: and be ready con.
tinualy for divine meditation and prayer
s. "Above all things" Paul puts love
at the head of the Christian graces. in his
match'ess chapter on charity Il Cor. 49,.
so far as to say. Love is the fulfilling of
the law" Charity must be as the crown.
or the outer garment. 1T must be used by
the Christian as the most important and
most distinguished Christian virtue. Love
is the essence of religion. 1t must be at
! work in the heart and shown in the life,
or all other things will amount to nothing.
| it is above all in value. because it comes
from God. and is the one thing that we
may keep through lie ard carry to heaven
with lis. Cover . sins" 1t delights
not in undue disclosing of brethrens fail
ings. and doth not expose them willingly
to the eyes of others.
Oil. Hospitality" As would often be
necessary. toward the suffering. without
grudgng." Not murmuring at the cost or
trouble. "The gift" Endowment of any
kind, but especially that conferred by the
Holy Spirit money, ability, influence or
whatever God has given. Good stew.
ards" Whatever we have is to be min,
istered' to others as God may direct We
are His stewards. What we call our own
came from God and belongs to God. and we
should, as good Stewards" use it to His
| glory. If we have an opportunity to vote
against the saloon and fail to do so. in
stead Of ministering good to others we will
| be putting a curse upon them. "As the
| oracles.1 Those who speak for God must
| speak His words, what He reveals to them;
they must speak the truth as revealed in
| the holy Scriptures. Minister" This,
nay refer to service in general. Our ability
the limit of our obligation.