Middletown transcript., 1916-06-10
LESSON FOR JUNE II
SOWING AND REAPlNc (TEMPER.
ANcE .EssoN)
LESSON TExT-calatians 8.

SECOND temperance lesson IOE Iue
year. Paul's letter to the churches
Of Galatia strongly contrasts law and
grace. It's key verse is ch. 2:16, and
its most prominent word is law.
many claim verse one of Chapter 3
as its golden verse. This final chap
ter is most practical one and rich in
suggestion regarding our social rela-
tions. Let each member come pre-
pared to give a temperance applica-
ton or to ask temperance question.
I. "Bear Ye One Another's Burdens"
wv. 1-5). If man trespass, be sur
prised in a sin, be caught in the very
act, or surprised into committing q
sin, ''ye which are spiritual" (literal-
ly, guided and governed by the spirit;
ch. 5:16-25) are to restore such
one. This is to be done, not by cut
ting Off or casting aside the erring
one, but as a dislocated limb is re-
stored to its place, so we are to re
store" that one t. his place as a be-
ef the body Of Christ q Cor. 1912,
IA, 27); 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. 2:24-2G). 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. 1925; Jas. 2:13). Instead Of
exclaiming, 81 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 ". p or
weights which we ere to bear are not
the unnecessary details Of the Mosaic
law (Math. 1894; Acts 1910 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 inf1rmities" and in our thus
sharing with each other we but follow
in his steps (Ch. 5:4; John 1894.
5:12; Romans 1879. This is the ''law
of Christ" not onerous, not grievous
burden, not necessarily an obligation,
but a claw" because he, our "flle lead
err" fully and perfectly exemplif1es 1t
(Phil. 1853. 1t is chiefly self-conceit
and spiritual pride ". 81 which stands
in the way Of geotle forbearance in
dealing with our erring brothers. Such
pride does not usually deceive others
(Jas. 1:22-24) AMI 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). |
Paurs reason for this self-testing Is |
that every man Tust bear the load"
". 5 r. W of his own responsibility, |
and is not held responsible for the
failure of any but himself. from.
1919. The word burden" ". s. |
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 Toad" of his own respon-
sibility to God. Each must answer for
his own work.
u. "WhatsoeVer a Man SoWeth"
Wv. 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 to
those who refuse thus to help forward
the work of righteousness, those who
fail to support others and think that
their selfishness will accrue to their
advantage ". n. The natural world
has many illustrations of this immut-
able law. Men may mock (sneer at)
this law, but find eventually that there
is no escape from its operation. This
law has many applications. The one
in the context is, first. a physical one
". 81, a most faHiliar 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. 1929. In all
Of our actions. physical, mental, moral,
social and spiritual. we reap what we
SOW; like in kind, sown sparingly we
reap sparingly; sbundantly, and we
reap in abundance.
I'll. 1--WE Shall Reap, If We Faint
Not" w. 9-1S. Paul now proceeds to
make the practical application. If we
act under the leadership of the Spirit
(See ch. 5:16-25) we avoid carnal
and we are sowing to the
Spirit and of the Spirit (who is life
John 6:63; II Cor 3:6), we shall reap
life eternal" /. e., life which is end
less in duration aid divine in its es-
sence. There mus: be, however, per-
sistence. We must not withhold the
good seed nor refrain from sowing
It II we are to rep the reward sug-
gested in verses nIEe and ten. If 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 disbursement
will not excuse us for any negligence.
Some fail to reap because of laxity;
others continue cultivation too long;
still others, by overlooking their "op-
portunity" to do good ". 1O) and /
hence having not sown, they cannot
reap.
Paul suggests ". 12) that the SOW
Ing of which he speaks is not for
any outward show. nor for conformity |
to the edicts and regulations of men {