The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-06-08
LESSON FOR JUNE II
SOWING AND ReAPINo (TeMPeR.
ANCE LEssoN.)
LESSON TExT-Galatians 9.


GOLDEN TEXT-God is not Knocked;
for whatsoever a man soweth. that shall
he also reap-Gal. ST.
We turn aside today to consider the
second temperance lesson for the
year. Paul's letter to the churches
Of Galatia strongly contrasts law and
grace. It's key verse is CHI. 2:16, and
its most prominent word is law"
many claim verse one Of Chapter 5
as its golden verse. This final chap
ter is a most practical one and rich In
suggestion regarding our social rela-
tions. Let each member come pre-
pared to give q temperance applica-
ton or to ask temperance question.
!. Bear We One Another's Burdens"
wv. 1-5). II a man trespass, be sur
prised in a sin, be caught In the very
act, or surprised into committing a
sin, "ye which are spiritual literal
ly, guided and governed by the spirit;
Oh. 5:16-25) are to restore such q
one. This is to be done, not by cut
ting of or casting aside the errfng
one, but as a djslocated limb is re-
stored to its place, SO we are to re
store" that one to his place as q be-
lever; each believer being q member
of the body OF Christ q Cor. 1912,
IA, 27); one who falls into sin is dis
located limb or member. and the
stronger ones are to restore him to
his proper place. This must be done,
however, not with any sense Of our
own infallibility, but In meekness.
gentleness and with great tenderness.
(See II Tim. 2:24-26). Pauls reason
for this, lest thou also be tempted"
should lay low the pride any Of US
who have not fallen might feel ". 4;
Math. 1925; Jas. 2:13). Instead OF
81 could never have done
any such act" we ought rather to
say, But for the grace Of God l might
have done even worse than that" Il
Cor. 1919. The burdens ". y or
weights which we are to bear are not
the unnecessary details Of the Mosaic
law (Math. 1884; Acts 1870 but rath-
er they are the temptations. weak
nesses and failures of others. The
master came not to be ministered
unto but to minister" and was tempt
ed in all points," touched with feel
ing of our infirmities" and in our thus
sharing with each other we but follow
in his steps (Ch. 5:4; John 1884.
15:12; Romans 1850. This is the law
Of Christ" not onerous. not grievous
burden. not necessarily an obligation.
but law" because he, our file lead
err" fully and perfectly exemplihes It
Phil. 2:5-s). It is chiefly self-conceit
and spiritual pride ". 81 which stands
in the way OF gentle forbearance in
dealing with our erring brothers. Such
pride does not usually deceive others
(Jas. 1:22-24) and he who is so con-
trolled, "deceiveth himself"
%. "Whatsoever Man soweth"
w. 6-S. While each must so bear his
burden. yet those who are taught are
to help those who teach to bear their
burdens by contributing "in all good
things" from. 1897; Cor. s:11-1D.
Paul sounds q solemn warning to
those who refuse thus to help forward
the work Of Righteousness. those who
fail to support others and think that
their selfishness win accrue to their
advantage ". ~. The natural world
has many illustrations of this immut-
able law. Men may mock (sneer att
this law, but find eventually that there
is no escape from its operation. This
law has many applications. The ono
in the context IL. first. a physical one
". 81, q most familiar one to US all.
The same ia true spiritually. and has
been repeatedly illustrated throughout
the history of the Christian church.
OH Cor. $3.50; Prov. 11:2D. In all
of our actions. physical. mental. moral.
social and spiritual. We reap what we
SOW; like in kind. sown sparingly We
reap sparingly; abundantly, and We
reap in abundance.
~. 1--WE Shall Reap, n We Faint
Not" Wv. 9-1S. Paul now proceeds TO
make the practical application. II We
act under the leadership Of the Spirit
(See oh. 5:1625) we avoid carnal
mindedness, and we are sowing to the
Spirit and OF the Spirit (who is life
John 6:63: ii Cor. $3.50. we shall reap
life eternal" 1. e., life which is end
less in duration and divine In its es-
sence. There mus. be. however, per-
sistence. We must not withhold the
good seed nor refrain from sowing
Il II we are to reap the reward sug-
gested In verses nine and ten. II We
do SO withhold. or should We sow
ought but the good seed" we will
surely reap the awful harvest sug-
gested in verses and 8. Tenn
poral WEAKNESS or discouragement
will not excuse us for any negligence.
Nor are We TO be impatient. for I'm
due season." In Gods time Il Tim
6:14, 15) we shall reap; not perhaps
Immediately. but the issue is certain
Some fail TO reap because OF laxity;
others continue cultivation too long;
still others, by overlooking their "op-
portunity" 10 do good ". 10) and
hence having not sown. they cannot
reap.
Paul suggests ". 12) that the SOW
a.. % .vl.oh ha snaa La a NOT for