McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1916-06-09
LESSON FOR JUNE II
SOWING AND REAPiNG (TEMPER.
ANcE lESSoN.)
LESSON TExT-Galatians 6.

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 S
as its golden verse. This final chap.
ter is a most practical one and rich in
suggestion regard ing our social rela-
lions. Let each member come pre-
pared to give a temperance applica-
ton or to ask temperance question.
1. "3ear We One Another's Burdens"
tvv. 1-5). If a man trespass. be sur
prise2 in sin. be caught in the very
act, or surprised into committing a
sin. I'VE which are spiritual" Qiteral-
ly. guided and governed by the spirit;
Oh. 5:16-25) are to restore such a
one. This Is to be done, not by cut
ting off or casting aside the erring
one. but as dtslocated limb is re-
stored to its place. SO we are to "re-
store" that one to his place as a be-
| lever; each believer being a member
of the body of Christ q Cor. 1879,
IA, 30; 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). Paurs reason
for this, lest thou also be tempted"
should lay low the pride any of US
who have not fallen might feel ". L;
Math. 7:2-5: Jas. 2:13). Instead of
exclaiming. II could never have done
any such act" we ought rather to
say, But for the grace of God might
have done even worse than that" Il
Cor. 1919. The burdens ". q 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 no. to be ministered
unto but to minister" and was tempt
ed in all points" touched with feel
| ing of our inflrmities" and In our thus
| sharing with each other we but follow
IN his steps (Ch. Sd; John 1894.
1912; Romans 1879. This is the law
of Christ" no. onerous, not grievous
burden, not necessarily an obligation,
but Flaw" because he, our "f1le lead
err" fully and perfectly exemplifies 1t
(Phit 1853. 1t 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" We are
| to put our accomplishments. not be.
cause of our brothers failure, but in
the work of others. Few of US can
| glory much In ourselves. and all are
| to glory in that which is the death
to self, the cross Of Christ ". 14).
Paul's reason for this self-testing is
that every man must bear the load"
". R. W of his own responsibility,
and Is not held responsible for the
failure Of any but himself. (Rom.
12:12). The word burden ". 81
Is not the same as that in verse two.
We are to help our brother bear his
burden Of temptation, but must each
bear the load" Of his own respon.
sibility to God. Each must answer for
his own work.
II. "Whatsoever a 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. 1927; Cor. 9:11-14).
Paul sounds a solemn warning tc
those who refuse thus to help forward
the work Of righteousness, those who
fail to support others and think that
their selfshness will accrue to their
advantage ". y. 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 one
in the context 10, first, q physical one
| ". 81, most familiar one to Us all,
The same is true spiritually. and has
been repeatedly illustrated throughout
the history Of the Christian church.
III Cor. 1856; Prov. HE'D. 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.
III. 1--WE Shall Reap, II We Fain,
Not" w. s-1S. Paul now proceeds to
make the practical application. If we
act under the leadership of the Spirit
| (See CHI. 5:16-25) we avoid carnal
mindedness, and we are sowing to the
Spirit and Of the Spirit (who is life
John 6:63; II Cor. $500. we shall reap
life eternal" 1. g.. life which is end.
less in duration ard divine in its es.
sence. There mus. be. however, per.
sistence. We must not withhold the
good seed nor refrain from sowina
It II we are to resp the reward sug
gested in verses rIne 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 OF Encouragement
will not excuse US fer any negligence
Some fail to resr because of laxity;
others continue cultivation too long:
still others, by overlooking their "op
rortunity'' to do good ". 10) and
hence having not sown. they cannot
reap.
Paul suggests w. 12) that the SOW.
ing of which he speaks is not for