The Green Forest tribune., 1916-01-21
LESSON FOR JANUARY 2,
THE SPIRIT OF LIFE.


 GOLDEN TEXT-As many as are led by the spirit of God. these are the sons of God.-Rom. STA
 The connection of this lesson with the others of the series is in the fact that this chapter is a panegyric re- garding the spirit-filled life, the com ing of which we have so recently studied Read prayerfully in this con nection Gal. 522, 26 We somehow feel that we ought to study this entire chapter rather than that portion as signed. The key to the whole is found in verse thirty-seven, We are more than conquerors.' If conquerors, how be more than conquerors? Very sim pie. Some victories leave the victor so exhausted that he cannot possess nor enjoy his victory; not so the spirit filled Christian for he is more than conqueror"
 Previously in this epistle the spirit is mentioned but once (5:5); in this chapter he is mentioned nineteen times. Over what is the spirit-filled man conqueror?
 l. Over the Condemnation of Sin, V. 1. The spirit-filled Christian lives in another realm than that of the flesh (v. 9. The spirit removes us from the realm to that of the spirit quick ening us i. e, making us alive who were dead in sins) to condemn sin in the flesh and enabling us to walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit
 II. Conquerors Over the Power and Dominion of Sin, w. 2-4. While we still have the body yet it is our priv ilege, through the spirits power at work within us, to put to death it's deeds every day and each minute Gal. 5:16, 22, 23). To live otherwise is to displease God (v. 8. Those who surrender their lives to the control of the indwelling spirit are sons of God" and therefore free from the law of sin and death" (v. 9, for the same spirit that raised from the dead (v. III not alone makes us sons but gives us the same power.
 III. Conquerors Over Fear, V. IS The righteousness of the law is full filled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit" (v. 4) and having received the spirit of adop It t,o17 ,s,ii .. e, U5fng r1aret zs sU1s1 VI cringe not before God in terror, no csll him tyrant, or even ruler, bu l exclaim Abba, my father" AS sons we are spiritually minded and hay, life and peace" (v. 6, Gal. 4:6).
 w. Conquerors Over Suffering, V 18. We are joint heirs with Jesus ii so be we suffer with him. Our posi- tion and heirship in Christ involves our participation in his sufferings Gal. 6:17, II Tim. 2:11, 12, Acts 14:22). What we often call affiictions are only discomforts and frequently the results of our own foolish care lessness But as entrusted with his glory there is no comparison. Only eternity will enable us to comprehend what it means to be made perfect through suffering (Phil. 3:10, II Tim. PIP, Heb. 5:8). If we are heirs of all God has and all that God is, we are likewise an heir just as Christ is, and to the extent that Christ is an heir and hence to his sufferings (we suffer with him) though we are even there more than conquerors for like him we too shall rise triumphant lover all things"
 V. Conquerors Over Vanity, V. 20. This glory is entrusted with the crea- tion now subject to vanity, but which is in degradation by comparison. The creature (v. 2D G. O., creation) was made subject not willingly but by req son of him who subjected it in hope that the creation should yet be de- 1ivered from the bondage to the prin- ciples of death and decay into the glorious liberty, or the liberty of the glory, of the children of God.
 VI. Conquerors Over Infirmities, V. 26. The believers all-sufficiency and perfect security in the Lord Jesus. We may not have all we want yet we have all we need (Phil. 4:19). This suffici- ency is in the privilege we possess in praying according to the will of God" we know not how to pray as we ought but the spirit maketh interces- sion for us (v. 26); so also Christ. who is at the right hand of God" mercedes for us (v. 34). The spirit knows the mind of God the father, teaches us how to pray and at times places yearning in our hearts too deep for our own comprehension.
 Even God must search the heart to know the mind of the spirit (v. 27) and in this God does exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or