The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1916-11-24

LESSON TEXT-Romans L.
GOLDEN TEXT-Present your bodiea
z living sacrifice. holy. acceptable unto
God. which is your spiritual service
Rom. l2:1 r. v.
The first IL chapters of this let
ter teach and illustrate the great
principles Of the Christian life. Paul
calls 1t 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 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
Ii the sum of all human faculties,
physical and spiritual. 1t must not be
def1led by being yielded as an instru-
ment to sin, for 1t is the temple Of
God. Il Cor. 3:18, ~. A Living Of
fering," (not as the bodies Of slain
animals offered by Jews) is a conse-
Grafton of the body, and not a destruc-
ton of life. The original means that
this-the offering of ourselves as a
living sacrifice-is a 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.
Il Cor. 20; l Pet. 1:1S19) 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"
u. The Expression Of Gratitude
wv. 3-S). Or the right use of the gifts
Of God. ~ Avoid "self-conceit" wv.
3-5). 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"
". 81, not necessarily foretelling, but
the revelation of rpiritual 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. 80 Ministry" ". y.
The business side Of the church, col
Letting 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. az HE that teacheth."
The true pastor is 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.
III. Conduct Toward All Men wv.
p-21). The renewed soul needs guild
ance, encouragement and instruction.
~ "In love" ". 81. The hypocrite
wears a mask. Notice the close con-
nection of "abhor that which is evil"
with "cleave to that which Is good"
The word for cleave means literally
to glue it, SO that nothing can separate
you from love which is the supreme
good. "In honor preferring one an
other" ". 10Y. Let others carry the
Of us can stand this acid
test. (3) "Diligent In business" ".
1D. Whatsoever your hands find to
do, do 1t with your might, being fer
vent or boiling In spirit, the reverse of
we are thus to serve the Lord. Few
need exhortation to be diligent in their
own business. but all Of us need this
exhortation with regard to the "king's
business" (4) "Rejoicing in hope ".
12). Triumphing over trials and diff
culties in the way. Looking for that
blessed hope" (Titus 2:13). (5) Pa
tience and tribulation ". 12). The
Latin "tribulum" was the threshing in
Strument or roller whereby the nus
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 Joshua
"a :12.) co. Continuing in the school
of prayer ". 12). Steadfast, urgent,
pressing, persevering prayer Uuke
R:D. "a "Given to hospitality" ".
1S); literally, pursued it.
The word "condescend" is not strong
enough-it should be literally Borne
away" from the living things along the
line of the things that are humble.
(S) Living peaceably with all men
". 16); being ready for peace and to
do more than your share of recon-
r11ia tf0n