Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-06-09
LESSON FOR JUNE II
SOWING AND RtAPING (TEMPER,
ANCE LESSON.)
SsON TEXT-Galatians 6.

GOLDEN TEXT-God is not Knocked;
for whatsoever a man soweth. that shall
he also rear.-Ga1. 81.
We turn aside iJday to consider the
second temperance lesson for the
year. Pauls 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
as it's golden verse. This final chap |
ter is a most pracucal one and rich in I
suggestion regarding our social rela- |
tions. Let each member come pre-
pared to give temperance applica- |
tion or to ask a temperance question. |
|. "Bear Ye One Another's Burdens"
(vv. 1-5). If man trespass, be sur
prised in a sin, be caught in the very
act, or surprised into committing
sin, we which are spiritual Qiteral-
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 it's place, so we are to "re-
OlOlC lLdL OnG " pAuCO GO q W
lever; each believer being member
of the body of Christ Il 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. 2:24-26). Paurs reason
for this. "lest thou also be tempted
should lay low the pride any of US
who have not fallen might feel ". /;
Math. 1928; Jas. 2:13). Instead of
exclaiming, 'T 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" q
Cor. 1913. The burdens ". q or
weights which we IRE to bear are not
the unnecessary details of the Mosaic
law (Math. 1884; 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 infirmities" and in our thus
sharing with each other we but follow
in his steps (Ch. 5:4; John 1884,
1912; Romans 1879. This is the law
of Christ" no. onerous, not grievous
burden, not necessarily an obligation,
but law because he, our "flle lead
err" fully and perfectly exemplifies it
(Phfl. 2:5-S). 1t is chiefly self-conceit
and spiritual pride ". 81 which stands
! in the way of gsntle 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).
PauPs reason for this selftesting is
that every man nust bear the load
". R. W of his own responsibility.
and is not held responsible for the
failure of any but himself (Rom.
1919. 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 Toad" of his own respon-
!, sibility to God. Each my 'swer for
" his own work.
II. "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
J things" (Rom. 1927; Cor. 9:11-14)
Paul sounds a solemn warning to
II those who refuse thus to help forward
& the work of righteousness, those who
t fail to support others and think that
i their selfishness will accrue to theil
q advantage ". y. The natural world
has many illustrations of this immut
e able law. Men may mock (sneer at
L this law, but find eventually that there
II is no escape from its operation This
81 law has many applications. The one
f in the context is, first, physical one
Il ". 81, a; most familiar one to US all
The same is true spiritually, and has
C been repeatedly illustrated throughou
y the history of the Christian church
Il (II Cor. 1856: Prov. 11:24). In al
re of our actions, physical. mental, moral
Il social and spiritual, we reap what W,
it sow; like in kind, sown sparingly w
I'd reap sparingly; sbundantly, and W,
reap in abundance.
nj III. 1--WE Snail Reap, If We Fain
eI Not" Wv. 9-18. Paul now proceeds t
Ii make the practical application. If W
ls act under the leadership of the Spiri
IN (See ch. 5:16-25) we avoid carna
ry mindedness, and we are sowing to tn
Spirit and of the Spirit (who is lif
John 6:63; II. Cor. 3:6), we shall rea
q life eternal" i. e., life which is enc
q less in duration aid divine in it's e.
B sence. There must be, however, pc
81 sistence We must not withhold tn
81 good seed nor refrain from sowin
& 1t if we are to rep the reward SUI
81 gested in verses ',Ine and ten. If W
Il do so withhold, or should we so
B ought but the good Seed" we wi
& surely reap the awful harvest SUI
gested in verses and 8. Ter
ii poral weariness OF discoura geme1
I'll Will DOJ excuse us IOT any n6Rl1gonc
II Some fail to reap because of laxity
"a others continue cultivation too Ions
& still others, by overlooking their 20
portunity" to do good ". 10) ar
81 hence having nos sown, they cam,
reap.
81 Paul suggests " 12) that the so,
ing of which he speaks is not f,
M any outward show. nor for conforms
s. to the edicts and regulations of me
" in order to avoid persecution. ".
" r.. W.
Such outward formal conformi
does not change the heart and is n
~ impelled by the spirit " 13).
ess Such a walk IS only possible
viii them who are "a new creation" {
ace 15) and "as many as shall walk
this rule shall enjoy peace and mer
from the God of 1srael"