Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-11-24

Rom. 12:1 R. ".
The first IL 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 ap- |
plication of these truths.
I. The Exhortation 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. q Cor. :16, ID. A Living Of
fering," (not as the bodies, of slain
animals offered by Jews) is 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 a 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 it by the blood of his own Son.
4 Cor. 6 20; I Pet 1:1S-19) This
is a spiritual, religious service be
cause it is our spirit which presents
the offering of the body which he in
habits. Too many of US are flash
ioned according to this age" When
the mind is made new, old things pass
away (II Cor. SID. We have new
thoughts, new desires, new purposes,
new affections, new tastes, new am
bitions. new ideals; everything is new.
ii. The Expression of Gratitude
wv. 3-S). Or the right use of the gifts
$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 a 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"
| (v. g., not necessarily foretelling, but
the revelation of spiritual truth and
experience according to the proper
ton of our faith (Ps. 80 30, the living,
spiritual experience Of the presence of
God within US 90 Ministry" ". D.
The business side of the church, col
lecting 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) He that teacheth.' y
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-
ton. % "He that exhorteth" "
81; this word is closely akin to the
word comforter, of which John and Bar
nabas were shining examples. (See
Acts 4:36). (6) "He that giVeth," dc
it with simplicity, unmixed motives
according to the revised version, lib
orally" CO HE that ruleth;;" those
who are appointed or chosen to TAKE
charge of departments of church worl
are not to fail in diligence. (8) HI
that showeth mercy must do it viii
cheerfulness or hilarity for the joy O.
the privilege
III. Conduct Toward All Men wv
9-21). The renewed soul needs guild
ance, encouragement and instructor
ID "In love- ". 81. The hypocrft
wears mask. Notice the close con
nection of "abhor that which is evil
with "cleaye to that which is good.
The word for cleave means LITERAL,
to glue il, so that nothing can separat
you from love which is the suprem
good. TN honor preferring one an
other" (E. 10Y. Let others carry tn
banner-few Of US can stand this aci
test. 90 "Diligent in business" z
1D. Whatsoever your hands find t
do, do it with your might, being feI
vent or boiling in spirit, the reverse Q
the previous exhortation, in that whic
we are thus to serve the Lord. FeV
need exhOrtation to be diligent in thei
own business, but all of US need thi
exhortation with regard to the liking
l. business" (4) Rejoicing in hope {
!. 12). Triumphing over trials and diff
. culties in the way. Looking for tha
= blessed hope (Titus 2:13). (5) P,
:" tience and tribulation ". 12). Th
e Latin 'tribulum'' was the threshing il
IL strument or roller whereby the hu
u bandman separated grain from tt
IL husk. Sorrow, distress and adversit
II are the means for separating men fro
IL the chaff of their lives Sometime
20 small annoyances, long continued, b
10 come great tribulations. (See Joshu
"a :12.) (6) Continuing in the scho
~ Of prayer ". 12). Steadfast, urgen
,r pressing, persevering prayer Uul
II 12:D. 60 "Given to hospitality"
1t 13); literally, pursued it, going aft
le it. (S) Our treatment of those wi
h persecute US ". 14). 'When the d,
barked at the moon it kept shinil
right on.'-D. L. Moody.
(9) sympathy with others ". L
ry Sympathize with others in joy and
w sorrow.
ed Q0) Humility" (v. 16) lack
n distinction between rich and poi
ID learned and unlearned, master a
servant.
The word "condescend" is not stro
- enOugh-it should be literally "Bor
away" from the living things along t
no line Of the things that are humble
~ CID Living peaceably with all m
". 1S); being ready for peace and
- do more than your share of rect
Citation.
Q2) Overcoming evil with &C