Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1942-10-01

GOLDEN TEXT-Therefore being JUS
tilted by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.-Romans
ST..
Salvation through Christ is the
way, and the only way. into the
Christian life; therefore. there could
be no other subject more suitable
than that of our lesson to begin
our brief series of Studies in the
Christ Life
Our lesson for today tells us first
how one comes into a personal saw
ing faith, and then gives Pauls
statement of the result of saving
faith in the changed life of the be-
lever.
l. The Opened Heart (Acts Is:
1870.
Paul and his companions on their
important errand for the Master.
bearing the news Of the gospel. had
first known His guidance by hin
drance, by the closed door; and
then by the direction of the Spirit
into the open door, revealed in the
vision of the man of Macedonia
Here in Philippi they found not
only an open door, but an open
heart, one which the Holy Spirit had
made ready for the preaching of the
Word of God Faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word
of Cod (Rom. 10:l7).
Note that while Lydia was wom-
an Of ability and culture. and wor-
shipper of God, yet she needed the
message of redemption through
faith in Christ.
Lydia evidenced the truth of her
profession of faith by open testimony
and by a desire for fellowship in
putting forward the work of God ".
15). Salvation is by faith apart from
works, but a saving faith is always
one which works.
ii. The Transformed Life (Rom.
SLID.
This is one of the great passages
of Scripture, rich in doctrinal instruc-
ton, presenting through Paul an il
Eliminating discussion Of justifica-
ton by faith.
This lesson affords an opportunity
for teachers to learn and present to
classes much needed truth along the
line Of Bible doctrine. There is not
enough teaching of this type. Peo-
pie seem to prefer little devotional
study. or the discussion of current
events, possibly in the light of
prophecy. These are good, but it
is Of first importance that Chris
tians be informed regarding doc
trine.
We find in this Scripture the glori-
GUS transformation of life which
comes to the one who takes Christ
as Saviour, as we note the seven
results of Gods justifying grace.
/. Peace ". u. The human heart
Graves spiritual peace and knows
that it can be found only when sin
has been dealt with and put away
For sin cannot be condoned or ig-
nored. There must be justification,
and that can come only through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
2. Grace ". q. A peace with
God brings the peace Of God into
our hearts. We have that peace be-
cause we have by faith come into
the place of Gods favor. No long
er strangers or outsiders, we have
come in (''have access'D to His
place of grace and favor.
g. Hope (vv 2b, 5a). Our faith
not only brings present peace, but
causes us to see future glory Such
hope puts us in a right attitude
toward God, and the things of life,
including tribulations ". 81, are
rightly valued and understood. Even
our troubles become evidences of
His love in which we may glory.
4. Love wv. 5b-8). Gods love
which gave His Son to die for our
sins becomes the ''shed abroad" por-
ton of every believer in Him. II
was an UNNECESSARILY great love.
and it all centers in Calvary.
5. Saved From Wrath ". 81. The
wrath of God is minimized or de
MED in much modern theology, bu,
it is nonetheless a very "real and
awful affection of the divine ma
ture." But the Christ who died for
sinners will surely deliver the saints
from the wrath Of God against sin
6. Reconciled ". 100. The death
Of Christ. which justified man has
accepted by faith, brought recon
ciliation. Atonement had been
made for sin. and the One who died
is alive again, living Saviour.
7. Joy ". III. And why not?
Such a revelation of what our re-
demption includes should make ev
cry believer in Christ rejoice in God.
The One who is the sinners Judge
is the believers ioyl That is the
glorious TRANSFORMATION which takes
place when one believes.
Some unbeliever who has read
these lines thus far must by now
be eager to have these things true
in his life. Well, why not? Be
lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
thou shalt be saved" tActs 16:3D
Then read again those majestic anc
joyful words in Romans 81.