[For any modification in these lessons, and for the notes, the editor is responsible. For other notes and suggestions the student is referred to the lesson pamphlet, and to the S. S. Worker.]
Lesson Scriptures and Suggestive Questions.
I. Gal. 5:16-25: "But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they which practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk."
What admonition is first given?
What follows as a consequence?
How are the desires of the flesh and Spirit contrasted?
What is the result of this opposition?
What is true of those led by the Spirit?
Mention the works of the flesh.
What happens to those who do such things?
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
What has been done by those who are Christ's?
What is the closing exhortation?
II. Rom. 8:9-17: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall quicken also your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh; for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him."
What is true if the Spirit of God dwells in one?
What if he has not the Spirit?
If Christ is in us, what is dead? Why?
What is life? Why?
On what condition will our mortal bodies be quickened?
How will this be done?
What conclusion is then drawn?
What consequence follows living after the flesh?
On what condition shall we live?
Who are sons of God?
Have we received the spirit of bondage?
What Spirit have we received?
To what does this Spirit bear witness?
What consequences follow from our adoption?
NOTES.
1. "WHILE the work of the Spirit is silent and imperceptible, its effects are manifest. If the heart has been renewed by the Spirit of God, the life will bear witness to the fact." "Our lives will reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling in us." "And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing." Love is of God (1 John 4:17, Revised Version), and comes to us by the Spirit (Rom. 5:5). "The excellence and value of pure love consists in its efficiency to do good, and to do nothing else but good" (Rom. 13:10; 1 Cor. 13:4-7, Revised Version). Christ desires us to have joy (John 15:11), and has given us peace (John 14:27), which is really giving us himself (Eph. 2:14), and both these gifts are in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). Those who are renewed after the image of God (Col. 3:10) will exhibit long-suffering (verse 12), will be gentle (2 Tim. 2:24), and yet will be great (2 Sam. 22:36).
2. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38), so he went about doing good. Our present need is the same anointing (Rev. 3:18). Where the Spirit of God is, there is unity (Eph. 4:3, 4) and liberty (2 Cor. 3:17). We are to walk worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1), which means to walk according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:1, 4). The Spirit being one of power (Rom. 15:13, 19), and life (Rom. 8:2), and Christ being a life-giving spirit (1 Cor. 15:45, Revised Version; John 5:21), we are strong in him (Eph. 6:10), and not in our own might (Zech. 4:6). The gospel is to be preached with the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:12; 1 Thess. 1:5), not in man's wisdom (1 Cor. 2:4); and thus the minister of God is approved (2 Cor. 6:4). "It is the absence of the Holy Spirit and of the grace of God that makes the gospel ministry so powerless to convict and convert." Such are some of the ways in which the Holy Spirit will manifest itself in those who receive it.