Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-23

fruit Of the Spirit is one. but with many
flavors, and very delightful. The works
OF the flesh come as the result of a life
of trying: the fruit of the Spirit grows
as the result Of a life Of trusting. The
works of the flesh are PERFECTLY natural:
the fruit of the Spirit is full of grace
The works of the flesh result from de-
pending on self; the fruit of the Spirit
from depending on God. The works OF
the flesh result from walking in ones
own way; the fruit Of the Spirit from
walking in Him.
What does that mean? Twice in this
passage the expression is used. In verse
Is: Walk in the Spirit. and We shall
not fulfill the lusts of the flesh and
in verse IS: IF we live in the Spirit
let us also walk in the Spirit" Here is
another instance where our English
translation loses some Of the perspicui-
ty of the original; for in these two
verses different words are used In the
Greek. In verse Is the Greek word
translated walk means literally tread all
around. It conveys the idea Of the cir
cult in which action occurs. The idea
then is that the Spirits life and pres
ence and will is the sphere in which we
live and move and have our being Such
hain1 case we can readily see that we
shall not fulfill the lusts OF the rlesh.
In verse IS the word walk Is an en-
tirelv different one, meaning literally 70
range IN regular order, to marcn IN NH
itarv rank. to keep step with Here
tben the idea. is that if we are taking
the Snirit's presence and life and VIII
&c tho snhere of our lives, let us keep
step with Him a.
Seeing that such wonderful power -
given to them who walk In the spirit
so that they may not do the thinsS
under temptation that they Woulo oth-
erwise do because of natural tenoenCieS'
and that the fruit of the spirit Is so
much to be desired over the works OF the
flesh. how may we, you and l, 100 WIN
in the Spirit? How may we nave tno
sphere of our activities In the Spirit
life and will, and keep step with him!
These are vital questions, particularly
as we realize the battle that Is on, anu
the odds against us in our own natures
II may seem trite to say II, but the an
swer is very simple; 1t Is by faith This
does not mean blind belief and ooeol-
ence In the original the word Tor faltn
is one that means conclusion reacheo
after careful thought and reason,
conviction. That is virile. manly, cour-
ageous: 1t calls for all that is in a man.
IT has nothing efeminate about It,
These are the steps: the great God
If the universe has shown Himself 10
be our Father, who loves us with an
everlas sting love. He has demonstrated
that by the greatest gift Ina ginaole he
has given His Spirit, His own Self, TO
dwell in US, and He offers to take COM
plete control of the life that will al
low Him to regulate and direct its
thoughts, words, and deeds, to govern its
emotions. to shape and realize its high
est ideals, and to check and crush any
thing that would mar 1t or prevent Its
developing a family likeness to Him
self. This is what He offers to do for
YOU. if-ifl-you will let Him. The how
is this-an abandonment of yourself to
Him for keeps. This means definite
act on your part once for all, ana
daily, hourly, recognition that you are
no longer your own, but His; and imme-
diate and implicit obedience to Him
whenever He directs. Will you?
Thanks be unto Him for this unspeaK-
able gift, and for the blessed expert
ence of His constant fellowship ana
guidance.