Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-31

1 Dc u4ed WIN the sPHlt, -
Ephesians 5le.
We have within a few weeks ceie-
brated the victory Of washington over
CORVALLIS at Yorktown. that brought
TO Q successful conclusion the struggle
Of the American Colonies for freedom.
Historians recognize today that the
defeat OF the British IN that contest
taught the mother country how 70 rule
her colonies. 20 that representatives OF
not only France. whose heroic sons
aided cur Colonial forces, but OF
Great Britain Joined In the celebration
OF that epoch-making battle. Back II
that surrender was more than fhe
battles OF the Revolutionary War, for
the religious motives that caused the
founders Of cur colonies 10 cross the
uncharted seas and to seek TO erect
here A civilizat on where men couiA
worship God according 70 the dictates
Of their consciences helped bring on
that war The struggle for life.
liberty. and the pursuit Of happiness
had its inspiration in the messages OF
the preachers. pastors, and priests VINO
had proclaimed the message of the
Gospel
Immediately following the celebra-
ton OF the victory at yorktown came
the conference. ended during the past
few days, between the Premier OF
France and the President of the United
States, when they weighed the respon-
sibilities that each Nation faces in this
hour to preserve the principles Of
freedom and democracy, that are be-
ing threatened by the economic and
industrial condition that is fllling all
nations with unrest. Liberty in the
personal and political fields has obli-
cations and responsibilities which
must be met, II Freedom, Equality
and Justice" are to be preserved
among men.
In the passages, selected from Paul's
letters to the Romans and the Gala
tians, we And how in the apostles
teachings to these two different races
and churches, the ambassador Of the
Lord Jesus sounded not only a personal
call for the preservation of their indi-
vidual spiritual freedom. that had come
TO them through Gods grace, but a
trumpet call for their observance of
their social and political duties. These
passages are complimentary. and en-
phasize "the essential characteristics of
Christian liberty"
Christian Liberty.
Paul evidently had been aroused by
the news that had reached him con-
corning the influence Of false brethren"
among the members of the churches in
Galatia, a section of modern Asia
Minor. This fact Is seen in the intense
feeling with which he writes to them.
They had been made free through the
blood of the Lord Jesus. Their personal
liberty was a spiritual one, that Paul
saw was endangered by certain pro-
faccad ToxKyfch Chricfionc Uh0 had hnnn
teaching them salvation by works so
successfully that some of the Gentle
Christians were at the point of accept
ing circumcision and complying with
all the Jewish ritual and religion in
every way. The apostle marveled that
they had been swept so soon away from
the gospel Of grace that he had
brethren was nearer to their old pagan
ideals, and was, they thought, support
ed by the teachings of the Old Tesla
ment. It was easier to grasp than the
spiritual messages of Paul. The apostle
saw the peril of their position and APP
pealed for them to preserve their
freedom.
Being born again places upon every
believer certain social and political OBJ
legations Some of the Galatian Chris
tians interpreted their freedom from
the ceremonial law as a license for
them to do as they pleased. This made
each believer a law unto himself and
was the source of immortality The
second council In Jerusalem recognized
this peril, just as Paul did, for 1t warn
ed the Gentle converts that freedom
from the ceremonial law did not loosen
them from the bonds of moral charac.-
ter and conduct" Liberty Of the soul
did not confer upon them any license.
Personal liberty did not allow them to
do anything that was sinful and de-
structive of the welfare of society
Christian freedom is controlled by love
for ones brethren and the glory Of the
Lord Jesus The poSSeSSor of this lib
erty is moved by a fraternal spirit not
to do anything that would be detri-
mental to the spiritual life and charac-
ter Of those for whom Christ died.
Life's Fruits.
The spiritual fruitage of ones life is
revelation of ones character Free
dom works both ways. The one that
sows to the flesh and practices what he
claims is his personal privilege and
right is apt to forget that his freedom
ends where another mans rights begin.
In his Selflshness such a person insists
upon enjoying his rights. His efforts
to get the most out of life are usually
seen in the works of the flesh" The
list that the apostle sums up shows
the lack OF a true social spirit by the
doer Of the works of the flesh" Be-
tween the flesh and the spirit there can
be no alliance because they are antag-
onistic one to the other. The one. whose
life is controlled b. the Spirit, is not
under any law that eompels him to
regulate his conduct by rule. Society
has had to set up in self-defense laws
{ QOainqf the usOrkS nf the 6aSh ssu-1in1,
are adultery, fornication, uncleanness
lsSciviouSneSS, idolatry, witchcraft
hatred. variance, emulations. wrath
strife, seditionS. hereSieS, envyings muir
ders. drunkenness. revellings and such
like " Paul says that they which prac-
tice such things shall not inherit the
Kingdom of God"
The fruit of the Spirit is love. JOY
peace, long suffering, gentleneSS. good
ness, faith, meekness. temperance:
against such there is no law" because
filled with the Spirit and out OF love
for others the spiritual man crucifieS
the flesh with its affections and lustS
These virtues in the life Of any be-
liever will bring glory TO God and
blessings TO ones fellows. Paul puts
mtemperance is the lists of the works
Of the flesh. Men ma differ about the
best way 10 control this evil, but none
SurpaSseS the Spirit in the life of a
Christian. Intemperence is a class
factor and breeSS strife and evils that
society has found IL necessary TO at
tempt TO control When Paul urged in
the golden text that the EphesianS
BE not drunk with wine, wherein is
riot" he based his appeal upon the
fast that the use Of alcoholic drinks
was destructive OF personality. Science
confirms F2ul'S position,
Obedience to Law.
In his message 10 the Romans. Paul
emphasized the duty Of al the members
Of the church in Rome being obedient
+ - ~ Ian