The Spectator., 1916-01-18
LESSON FOR JANUARY 23
THE SPIRIT OF LIFE.

The connection of this lesson with the others of the series is in the fact that this chapter is a panegyric re. garding the spirit-filled life. the com. ing of which we have so recently studied Read prayerfully in this con nection Gal 5:22, 26. We somehow feel that we ought to study this entire chapter rather than that portion as signed The key to the whole is found in verse thirty-seven, We are moro than conquerors.' If conquerors, how be more than conquerors? Very sim pie. Some victories leave the victor so exhausted that he cannot possess nor enjoy his victory; not so the spirit filled Christian for he is more than conqueror."
 Previously in this epistle the spirit is mentioned but once (5: 5); in this chapter he is mentioned nineteen times. Over what is the spirit-filleG man conqueror?
 [. Over the Condemnation of Sin. V. 1. The spirit-hlled Christian lives in another realm than that of the flesh tv. 9. The spirit removes us from the realm to that of the spirit quick. ening us G. e.. making us alive who were dead in sins) to condemn sin in the flesh and enabling us to walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit
 iI. conquerors Over the Power and Dominion of Sin, w. 24. While we still have the body yet it is our priv ilege, through the spirits power al work within us. to put to death Its deeds every day and each minute Gal 5: :16. 22. 23). To live otherwise Is te displease God (v. S). Those who surrender their lives to the control o; the indwelling spirit are sons of God and therefore free from the law oi sin and death" (v. 9, for the same spirit that raised from the dead (y. ID not alone makes us sons bu, gives us the same power
 III. Conquerors Over Fear, V. 15 The righteousness of the law is ful filled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit" (v. 4) and having received the spirit of adop tion" G. e., being placed as sonsl we cringe not before God in terror. noI call him a tyrant. or even ruler bul exclaim Abba, my father" As sons we are spiritually minded and have life and peace" (v. 6. Gal. 4:6).
 w. conquerors Over Suffering, 1S. We are joint heirs with Jesus ii so be we suffer with him." Our posi- tion and heirship in Christ involves our participation in his sufferings Gal. 6;17, II Tim. 2:l1, 12, Acts 14:22). What we often call afllictions are only discomforts and frequently the results of our own foolish care lessness But as entrusted with his glory there is no comparison Only eternity will enable us to comprehend what it means to be made perfect through suffering Phil. 3;10, II Tim PIP, Heb. 5:S). If we are heirs o all God has and all that God is. we are likewise an heir just as Christ is and to the extent that Christ is an heir and hence to his suiferinGs twe suffer with him) though we are even there more than Conquerors for like him we too shall rise triumphant lover all things"
 V. Conquerors Over Vanity. V. 20. This glory is entrusted with the crea tion now subject to vanity. but which is in degradation by comparison. The creature W. 2D G. O.. creationl was made subject not willingly but by req. son Of him who subjected it in hope that the creation should yet be de livered from the bondage to the prin- ciples of death and decay into the glorious liberty. or the liberty of the glory, of the children of Cod
 VI. Ccnquerors Over infrmities, V. 26. The believers all-sufficiencv and perfect security in the Lord Jesus. We may not have all we want yet we have all We need (Phil 4:19. This suftici- ency is in the privilege we possess in praying according to the will of God we know not how to pray as we ought but the spirit maketh interces- sion for us (v. 26): so also Christ. "who is at the right hand of God" mercedes for us (v. 34). The spirit knows the mind of God the father, teaches us how to pray and at times places yearning in our hearts too deep fer our own comprehension.
 Even God must search the heart to know the mind of the spirit (v. 27J and in this God does exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think tEph. 3:20l.
 VII. Conquerors Over All Things, V. 2s. The crowning privilege the spirit. filled life has, is in knowing that all things work together for good and hence we are free from all possible anxiety of heart under any and all cir cumstances Whatever comes to me IS part of his "all things" and therefore | should be grateful because the outcome will be good We are not tore-ordained to salvation ire spective of what we may be or do but we are fore-ordained as believers ito be conformed to the image of his