The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-11-23

Rom. 1871 r. v.
The first II chapters of this let
ter teach and illustrate the great
principles Of the Christian life. Paul
calls it my Gospel" Its funda-
mental principle is that justification
regenerates men, and nothing else.
The second section is the practical APP
plication of these truths.
!. The Elaboration to Gratitude
wv. 1-2). therefore" because of the
work Of Christ on our behalf, we are
to present our bodies as living
sacrifices unto God, to be used for
his glory and service. (See chapter
6:13, 16, 19). Paul urges, he beseeches;
he Is winsome, though he might COM
mand. To present" technically means,
'bring an Offering to God" The body
Is the sum Of all human faculties,
physical and spiritual. 1t must not be
defiled by being yielded as an instru-
ment to sin, for it is the temple Of
God. Il Cor. 3:16, ~. A Living Of
fering," (not as the bodies of slain
animals offered by Jews) Is a conse-
Grafton Of the body, and not destruc-
ton Of life. The original means that
this-the Offering of ourselves as a
living sacrifice-is reasonable, ra-
tiOnal service. God has the right Of
ownership Of every member Of our
body, and there never was day when
there was greater need of insisting
upon a Christianity that affects the
bodies Of men than today. Hands, lips,
ears, eyes-every member should be
constantly presented to him who pur-
chased 1t by the blood Of his own Son.
II Cor. $40; I Pet 1:18-19) This
Is spiritual, religious service be-
cause 1t Is our spirit which presents
the offering of the body which he in
habits. Too many Of us are fash
Toned according to this age" When
the mind is made new, old things pass
away (H Cor. SID. We have new
thoughts, new desires, new purposes,
new affections, new tastes, new am
billions, new ideals; everything is new.
II. The Expression of Gratitude
wv. 3-S). Or the right use OF the gifts
of God. "a Avoid "self-conceit" wv.
$50. These verses Indicate how i'm
portant this subject is. Conceit is en-
tertaining an exaggerated opinion OF
ones own ability. The church has
many members, and they do not all
have the same Office; there is variety
in the unity Of the body. So in the
church there are many members in
one body" each of which is important;
all are essential (2) Prophecy
". g., not necessarily fOretelling, but
the revelation of spiritual truth and
experience according to the proper
ton of our faith Cps. 80 :3), the living,
spiritual experience Of the presence Of
God within us. (3) Ministry" ". d.
The business side Of the church, col
iecting of its money and the distribu-
ton to the poor. Some can best at
tend to such business. Many churches
fail By not selecting wise leaders for
this work. (4) 'sHe that teacheth."
The true pastor is a combined proph-
ct, pastor and teacher. We are all
teaching, whether we wish to or not.
1t is a privilege as well as an obliga-
lion. 60 "He that exhorteth" ".
81: this word is closely akin to the
word comforter, of which John and Bar
nabas were shining examples. (See
Acts :36). (6) "He that giyeth," do
1t with simplicity, unmixed motives !;
according to the revised version, lib
orally" CD "He that ruleth;" those
who are appointed or chosen to take
charge of departments Of church work
are not to fail In diligence. (S) HE
that showeth mercy must do it with
cheerfulness or hilarity for the JOY OF
the privilege.
III. Conduct Toward All Men wv.
CPD. The renewed soul needs guild
ance, encouragement and instruction.
~ "In love" ". 81. The hypocrite
wears a mask. Notice the close con-
nection Of s'abhor that which is evil
with "cleave to that which is good. .
The word for cleave means literally
to glue 1t, so that nothing can separate
you from love which Is the supreme
good. 'Tn honor preferring one an
other" ". 10Y. Let others carry the
banner-few of us can stand this acid
test. (3) "Diligent In business" ",
LIZ. Whatsoever your hands find to
do, do It with your might, being fer.
vent or boiling in spirit, the reverse OF
the previous exhortation, In that which
we are thus to serve the Lord. Few
need exhortation to be dihgent in their
own business, but all Of us need this
exhortation with regard to the kings
business" az Rejoicing in hope "
12). Triumphing over trials and diff
culties in the way. Looking for thai
sblessed hope" (Titus 2:13). 90 Pa
tence and tribQlation ". 12). The
Latin atribulum'' was the threshing in
strument Or roller. whereby the hus
bandman separated grain, from the
husk. Sorrow, distress and adversely
are the means for separating men from
the chaff of their lives. Sometimes
small annoyances. long continued, be
come great tribulations. (See Joshu1
24:12.) (6) Continuing in the schoo
Of prayer ". -12). Steadfast, urgent
L n IL