International S. S. Lessons

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 2, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 47.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON III.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1893.

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Rom. 5:1-11.

Being therefore justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and let us rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but let us also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, probation; and probation, hope:
And hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which was given unto us.
For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; for peradventure for the good man someone would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through him.
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life;
And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Golden Text: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

By what are we justified? Verse 1.
What comes to us in consequence? Note 1.
Into what do we have access? Verse 2. Through whom?
In what hope may we rejoice?
In what may we rejoice or glory besides? Verse 3.
What does tribulation produce?
What is wrought by patience?
What results from probation or experience? Verse 4.
To what does hope not put us? Why? Verse 5.
Through what does the love of God come?
How may his Spirit be obtained? Note 2.
Who died for us? Verse 6.
In what condition were we when Christ died? Verse 6.
For what kind of men might some dare to die? Verse 7.
For what kind of men did Christ die? Verse 8.
In so doing what does he commend to us?
From what may we be saved through Christ? Verse 9.
What did he do for us while we were enemies? Verse 10.
Being reconciled, what will the life of Christ do for us?
How should we feel in view of God's great love? Verse 11.
How long do we have to wait for the reconciliation?

NOTES.

1. Peace.—Note that peace is a condition instead of an emotion or a feeling. By nature man's heart is at enmity with God (Rom. 8:7), but God is not at enmity with man. He loves man, and gave his Son to die for man while man was at enmity with him (Rom. 5:8), and the death of Christ reconciled us to God (verse 10). Christ is therefore "our peace" (Eph. 2:14), and therefore all who accept of Christ by faith—not feeling—have peace. Just as soon as we lay down the arms of our rebellion, yield our will, and take God's will, which is manifest in Christ, there is no more enmity, all is peace. In that peace we may indeed rejoice. Feeling may wax and wane, but as long as we are submitted to God, there is peace.

2. The Love of God.—It is the duty of everyone to love God with all his soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37); but of himself man has no power to love but self (Rom. 8:7; 2 Tim. 3:2). God, who is rich in mercy, never enjoins duty without giving power to do the duty, and so, that man might love, God gives his Spirit of love to everyone who asks, seeks, and knocks (Luke 11:9, 10); and God is more willing to give this Spirit to those who thus desire it than is an earthly parent to minister to his child needed blessings (verses 11-13). If we are "reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life," his Spirit, the Spirit of love. Rom. 5:10, 5.