River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-09-22
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GALATIANS 5:15-26.-SEPTEMBER Is.
"f ne liza in the Spirit let as also 7vaZk in the S4i,

the f1eshly things, else they will not
grow IN the fruits and graces of the
holy Spirit and will not be fit for
the Kingdom.
The Apostle does not here say
that If any one were overtaken in a
fault and lost his temper, for in
stance, and got into strife, that this
would bar him forever from the
K e d m. He might, indeed,
| through tears and prayers and Di-
vine forgiveness, come back into
harmony with God and subsequent
ly become a valued soldier of the
| Cross and follower of the Lamb.
But If any practise such things they
should know that they are develop
ing and strengthening a character
contrary to the one which God will
approve-they are going backward
| and not forward. Let US note the
| difference between an accidental
! slip with penitent recovery, and a
wllful practising of wrong course.
Alas! how many Christians have the
evidence in themselves that they
will not inherit the Kingdom of God
unless they make fresh start
and reverse the order of their living!
If the Apostle led us into a tan
| gled wildwood of human se1fshneSs,
thorns and thistles, as a specimen
of the fruitage of the fallen flesh, he
next leads us in the opposite direc-
ton, and shows us the fruits and
flowers of sweet odor which belong
to the Garden of the Lord. He tells
us that these delightful fruits of the
Spirit should more and more be cul-
tivated, and should be developed to
perfection in our hearts, and, as far
as possible, should overrun and
cover and choke out the Imperfect
tions of our flesh. The fruits of this
garden are all the fruits of the
Spirit of God-all such as he origin
ally planted in man and which have
become Initiated through small
such as he now has implanted afresh
and would develop in the hearts of
his sanctified ones. The fruits of
the Spirit, which should be manifest
in all of the followers of Jesus in
more or less perfection are these:
love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faithfulness,
meekness, temperance, against such
there is no law"
The Apostle explains that those
who have become Christ's followers
have crucifed the flesh with the
passions and desires thereof. They
have voluntarily agreed that they
will live contrary to the emotions
| and desires of the fallen flesh. He
urges, If we live by the Spirit, by
the Spirit let us walk! 1t is the
Spirit of God which has quickened
US and which ultimately is to per-
feet us. But it can perfect us only
if we are led by it and walk in it's
| ways. Otherwise we will not be fit
for place in the Kingdom, what
ever other place in Gods arrange
ments we may have. One of the
most dangerous besetments of the
Christian is vanity. 1t leads to
more trouble, provokes more quar-
rels and envyings than is generally
supposed. If we are walking after
the Spirit of our Master, it will
mean that instead of being vain
glorious we will be meek, humble,
teachable. And only such will
eventually be ready for the glory,
honor and immortality which God
will bestow upon the faithful at the
Second Coming of our Saviour.