The times-news., 1936-09-19
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
CHRISTIAN LIVING
By HIGHT {. MOORE

Sunday, Sept. 20.
Read Romans II. Study II: l
2, 3, 9-2l. =.
The letter to the Romans, IL
common with most of PauFs writ
ings, contains an exposition o,
| Christian teaching followed by
exhortation to Christian conduct
The doctrinal element predoml
mates in the first II chapters; the
practical element pervades the
remainder of the epistle. The sec
ond portion opens with a state
ment of the principles and prac'
tice of right living.
SECRETS OF CHRISTIAN
LIVING
Live Right Godward. Christian
character unveils the secret of
Christian living. Nothing short of
entire conservation to God car
produce an upright life in all re-
iations. Hence, the great duty OF
presenting our bodies to God, a
sacrifice which is rot forced but
voluntary, not intangible but
physical, not dead but living, not
defective but holy, not hypocritl-
cal but acceptable to God, and not
irrational but reasonable. The in
centive is first personal-"I be-
seech you;" then doctrinal -
Therefore, referring to the
great truths preceding; and fl
nally divine, for the ''mercies of
God" pull upward. The conse-
Grated body under such incentive
must react the worldly model
which conforms to selfish princl-
pies, and adopt the divine model
which by spiritual transformation
and mental cleansing enables one
to regulate his life by the will OF
God.
SPIRIT OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
Live Right Selfward. Christian
conservation requires the spirit or
Christian living. One must there
fore evaluate himself accurately.
He must think of himself; ne may
be entitled to think of himself
highly; but he must not think OF
himself more highly than he ought
to think. That is, he must not
value himself unduly." He must
avoid the self-conceit that initiates
and the self-depreciatiOn that
dwarfs. The warning of the
apostle is needed. Timely also is
his exhortation "to make q sober
estimate in accordance with the
degree of faith God has allotted
to each one" (Weymouth). When
one thus gauges his capacity he
will not only get his own measure
as an instrument in Gods hands,
but he will develop his powers and
direct them to the best advan-
tage. He will make out Of him
self the best Christian he can and
keep himself in good form for his
largest possible service.
SERVICE OF CHRISTIAN
LIVING
Live Right Manward. Christian
conduct exhibits the service of
Christian living. Put love in the
center-a love that is clear as a
crystal and clean as snow-flke
and see how life is lifted by 1t.
Love goodness with such ardor that
the soul will revolt at all wicked
ness. Love good people with
thoughtful tenderness so that
without effusiveness, but with dis
elimination we may honor them.
Love the post of duty so that dill
ligence will be pleasurable. Love
the Lords work so that we may
put a fervent spirit into his serv-
ice. Love the bright side of things
so that we may rejoice at least IN
hone, and cultivate patience If
nothing more. in tribulation, and
find always a ready refuge lr
prayer. Love the opportunity Of
doing good so that help and hos
pitality may abound and brighten
the path of life. Love the thought
less who taunt and hate, so that
thev may be won to better things.
Love the moods of men, so that
smiles and tears may serve on
occasion. Love the discordant, so
that harmony may be restored.
Love the lowly without conceit or
condescension. Love the public
welfare so that all men will honor
things honorable. Love even your
enemy so that, leaving vengeance
to God, you may burn him with
the live Goals of kindness and con-
quer his evil with your good.