The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-06-08
LESSON FOR JUNE II
SOWING AND REAPING (TEMPER-
ANcE LEssON.)
.EssON TExT-Galatians 6.

Ae dlSO IcdP.-0"i' "''
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 ch. 2:16, and
it's most prominent word Is law"
many claim verse one OF Chapter o
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 temperance appnca~
ton or to ask temperance question.
I. "Bear We One Another's Burdens
(vv. 1-5). II a man trespass, be sur
prised In a sin, be caught in the very
act, or surprised into committing a
sin. I'VE which are spiritual Qiteral-
". 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 err1ng
one. but as a djslocated limb Is re-
stored to It's place, so we are to re-
store" that one to his place as be-
lever; each believer being member
of the body of Christ q Cor. 12:1Z,
IA, 30; one who falls into sin is dis
located limb or member, and the
stronger ones are to restore him 10
his proper place. This must be done'
however, not with any sense of our
own infallibility, but in meeknesss
gentleness and with great tenderness
(See II Tim. 2:24-26). Pauls reason
for this, "lest thou also be tempted
should lay low the pride any or US
who have not fallen might feel ". L;
Math. 7:2-5; Jas. 2:13). Instead OF
exclaiming, ri 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 (v. p or
weights which we are to bear are not
the unnecessary details of the Mosaic
law (Math. 23:4; Acts 1910 but rath-
er they are the temptations, weak
nesses and failures of others. The
master "came not to be ministered
unto but to minister" and was tempt
ed in all points, touched with a feel|
ing of our infirmities" and in our thus
sharing with each other we but follow
in his steps (Ch. Sd; John 1884,
1912; Romans 1879. This is the law
of Christ" not onerous, not>R grievous
burden, not necessarily an obligation,
but claw" because he, our file lead
err" fully and perfectly exempl1des IL
(Phil. 1853. It 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
GAS. 1920 and ne who is so con-
trolled, "deceiveth himself"
II. Whatsoever Man Soweth"
Wv. 6-8. 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" (Rom. 1927; Cor. 9:11-1D.
Paul sounds q 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 ". y. The natural world
has many illustrations Of this immuts
able law. Men may mock (sneer atl
this law, but find eventually that there
is no escape from it's operation. This
law has many applications. The one
In the context is, first, physical one
". 81, a most familiar one to us all.
The same is true spiritually, and has
been repeatedly illustrated throughout
the history of the Christian church.
(II Cor. 1855; Prov. 11:24. 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 Faint
Not" W. 9-1S. 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 :63; II Cor. 1853, we shall reap
life eternal" |. e., life which is end.
less in duration and divine in its es-
sence. There mus. be, however, per
sistence. We must not withhold the
good seed nor refrain from sowing
1t IL we are to reap the reward sug'
gested in verses nine 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 Z and s. Tenn
poraI WEAKNESS or encouragement
will not excuse us for any negligence.
Nor are we to be impatient, for In
due season." in Gods time Il Tim.
6:14, 15) we shall reap; not perhaps
Immediately. but the issue is certain.
Some fail to reap because of laxity;
others continue cultivation too long,;
still others, by overlooking their "op-
x,orfruifvn tn do good ~ 1Ol and