The Brinkley argus., 1916-11-10

law Of liberty. There are also other acts which are as plainly prohibited. There are large number of acts which lie in the region between these two, and men ought to be careful how they condemn one another for these latter things. Where good and true men diff fer, their acts, on the matter of the Sabbath (See Col. 2:16), or on temper ance, must be determined as being unto the Lord, sincerely, conscientious ly. It is not for us to judge (v. 13), literally, to pronounce judgment. They have a right to their opinion and to their liberty of thought and action, but
 (vv. IA, p, 23) as for Paul or the Christian, he must have a clear con- science. He must have faith, and be assured that he is right; otherwise he Is condemned by God and by his own conscience, and is not a sincere Chris tian disciple. The word Therefore" in verse 13 points back to verse 12, which ought to be carefully pondered. As we have each to render our accounts to God, we should stop judging one an- other. Food is very proper thing, and laws are also proper, yet love is the ruling principle of the Christian life.
 We ought to have our liberty cur tailed rather than have our souls lost. If we magnify our liberty to the sacri- flee of our brothers soul we walk no longer in love-" The demands of Christian love are more to the true followers of Christ than the permis- sions of Christian liberty. The privi- lege of eating and drinking while it injures others, however harmless to yourself, is not to be tolerated.
 The word "stumbleth" here used (v. 21) implies a movable trap or snare, literally any impeachment placed in the way so as to cause another to fall. We must never forget that even weak brother is "a brother for whom Christ died"
 u. "let not your good be evil spoken of" (vv. 1923. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but it is life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Our liberty is to be so used that it shall not be evil spoken of. The real proof that we are in the kingdom of God and that the kingdom of God is in us is not found in our scrupulousness or lack of 1t, in our eat ing and drinking, but in the manifesto tons of righteousness in our lives and of having peace in our hearts (15 :13). This peace must be manifested toward our fellow men (v. 19; Oh. 15 :18) and being filled with "joy in the Holy Ghost" The object of our pursuit Is to be the things which make for peace, the things whereby we may fill one another up, not the exploitation of some pet hobby, for the kingdom of God does not consist of riding hobbies.
 In this matter of temperance reform we all recognize that alcohol has many uses besides that for drinking pur- poses, and that there are various opin- ions about drinking certain forms of it, and various ways of advancing the temperance cause, all of which are honestly held by many good men, but Christian patriotism demands that ev- cry true-hearted man or woman, every one who is loyal to his country, to hu- manity and to his God, should take Pauls position, CD That he will not be stumbling block in the way of the weak and of the young. (2) That he will not do anything to destroy his brother for whom Christ died. (3) That he will deny himself anything for their sake. (4) That his attitude will be that of love and not of selfishness, This places temperance on high moral plane, but the world is also beginning to recognize that the temperance Ques- tion is also an economic one.
 It is well to have faith, but it is also well to have the love that does not injure others by the exercise of that faith. The question is, Are you perfectly sure this thing is right" When in doubt as to whether any ac- ton will please God, doubt your doubts, and avoid that act.
 LII. "We then that are strong" Q5: l-3). This section is in reality con- tinuation of Chapter 14. Paul is con- tinuing his thought that we are not to please ourselves, but rather to live such lives as will edify or build up our neighbOr. Our strength is not given to us that we may glory or lord 1t over our weaker brethren, but rather that we may serve them.
 To please my neighbor does not mean hat "when in Rome do as the Romans lo," but rather to live such life that | ny action will be for the good and edi- ication of my brother, thereby pleas np God (Gal :l0).