Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-09
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
Lesson for April 10TH Cor 619 TO- g. a. H. GAL g. 7,
BY DR.. MARION NH. HULL

these laws; but they were more com.
munity laws than individual. Paul
advised Imothy to take little bitter
wine for his indigestion and conse-
ouent infirmities. Paul also urged his
fellow passengers in the storm-tossed
vessel who had tasted for days 20
eat something for their health. And
John wrote his friend Gaius who was
sick wishing for him the same pros
perity as far as his health was con-
cerned as he was enjoying spiritual
ly. But beyond this the Bible has
practically nothing to say about
health.
Yes, the body is mentioned fire.
means ignore the body; but it is in
the relationship which it bears to
the spiritual life. These passages
are all along that line. The body
belongs to God; it has been pur-
chased by Him, and does not belong
instrument of righteousness, Too
many Chris tians act as though they
had given their souls to Cod. but
had kept their bodies for themselves
to crafty the desires thereof. But
unless the body belongs to God the
spirit does not, for man is body,
soul and spirit, and can not be d1v!d-
ed. Paul was writing to the Corin-
thians about heinous sin that some
Of them were committing, ana ne
was impossible as Christians. Our
bodies, he says, are members OIL
Christ-not that we are members
of His body which is the, church;
that truth he presents elsewhere.
Christ's hands and feet and mouth
and heart! If my body and your
body are Christ's hands or feet, shall
either of us allow it to be used by
the devil in any way that would dis
honor Him to whom these bodies be-
long? Do we not know that our
bodies are the temple of the Holy
Spirit?
Think of it! Our bodies, which are
not yet redeemed; not our ALREADY
the marvellous perfection of the
work of Christ, that He can use these
bodies for dwelling place of his
Holy Spirit.
Then Paul talks about tho waS
men keep their bodies under con
troll in order to gain t prize t thaf
part in the isthmian games exercised
elf-contpol that he might be in the
best of condition for the race. Sure
ly then when the crown to be gained
is an incorruptible one, we ought to-
beat our bodies \black and blue If
necessary to be masters of them, 80
that we may be conquerors in the
end.
But all of this refers. as you see,
to the relationship which the body
bears to spiritual things and has no
bearing on health. Of course bodily
health usually may affect the spirit
ral life, and therefore we should try
to keep them in good condition. Some
saints feel like their souls are lost
when it is nothing more than dis
ordered liver. But some of the
saintliest spirits that ever lived
have lived in bodies that were con-
stantly racked with pain. And Christ
has used these MANNED members as
He could not have done with whole
ones.
Let us therefore see to it that moth
ing on our part shall be allowed that
will mar the efficiency of our bodies
as members Of Christ. On the other
hand, let us see to it that we do not
magnify the body and it's health to
the place that the spirit should &C.
cupy. Neither asceticism nor in
diligence is good. Neither careless
ness nor over anxiety is good. But
we must, with true perspective, have
an appreciation Of relate values and
give each part of our trinity (soul,
spirit and body) it's rightful place:
sparing it only that we may spend
it more lavishly on our blessed
Christ, whose members our bodies