JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD TO SAVE US
(Eph. 1:3, 7; Col. 1:14). If a person is to be redeemed from his sins he must come into contact with the saving blood of Christ? Yes No
Have you contacted the blood of Christ? Yes No Not sure
Nothing is gained by the shedding of Jesus' blood unless it is contacted.
All men are thankful for the blood transfusion when it saves their life. However, it protects life only for those who come into contact with it. The hypodermic needle makes the point of contact quite obvious.
If you believe you have contacted the blood of Christ, at what time or point did that contact take place?
Jesus didn't shed his blood while he was living, walking on the earth.
Did Jesus shed his blood in his death? Yes No
One much come into contact with Christ's death.
The blood of Christ is the only thing that can save us.
(Rom. 6:3-4). Do we contact that blood by being baptized into Christ's death? Yes No
Did you say you reached the blood of Christ when you gave your heart to God, when you decided to live for Him the rest of your life? Yes No
If your answer was yes, you thought your sins were forgiven before you reached the saving blood of Christ, by being baptized into His death. Many are taught wrong, as those do not agree.
Is it your desire to be baptized into Christ's death and reach the saving blood? (Rom. 6:3-4).
[by G.S. Edwards, Searcy, Arkansas]

BEING LIKE CHRIST
(Gal. 4-5).
Memory verse: (Gal. 5:24-26).
1. The Heir and the Servant
As long as one is a child he does not have the responsibility of a full-grown man, neither does he enjoy all of the privileges of the latter. A son is an heir of his father, but while he is only a child he cannot have his inheritance for his own, but is under teachers, and others who take care of him. He is somewhat like a servant in this respect. But when he becomes of age; has grown up, and become a man, he is ready for his inheritance. Paul explained that the Israelites, or Jews, were somewhat like that. As long as they were under the Law they were like children who had not yet come into their inheritance, but when Christ came they ceased to be under the tutor, the Law, and became free in Christ.

We should also learn the lesson that even if one is a son, he must live in a way to please his father or he may be disinherited. People may become children of God now through a faith which causes them to obey Christ, and if they live in the way that pleases God, they will be rewarded, but if they displease Him they will be disinherited.
2. Observing days and seasons
Under the Law of Moses the children of Israel observed many days and special times, but when they came to Christ and the Law had been removed then they were released from such observances. Under the influence of the false teachers who had gone among them, the Galatians were beginning to observe days and seasons, and Paul said that he was afraid that he had worked among them in vain. Christ did not command the disciples to teach people to observe days and seasons. They were to be taught to believe on Christ, to turn to Him, acknowledge Him, and be baptized. It is true that the disciples met upon the first day of the week to break bread; to observe the memorial of the Lord's Supper, but the first day of the week was not a sabbath. Neither were the Christians commanded to observe special days such as Easter, Mother's Day, or Christmas. Neither were they to observe the days and seasons of the Old Covenant.

Christians today ought to worship the Father in spirit and in truth, and try to do what has been commanded them. They ought to live good and pure lives and honor Christ who died that all might have the opportunity to live.
3. Story of the two sons
The truth concerning the Old Covenant and the New Covenant is illustrated by the story told by Paul concerning two sons of Abraham. One, Isaac, was his heir and was the son of his wife, Sarah, who was the free woman. The other, Ishmael, was the son of Hagar, the servant. Paul compared the story of the two sons with the two covenants and said that it was an allegory, which is a sort of comparison. He said that Hagar was like Mt. Sinai, where the Law was given, and like Hagar, those to whom the Law was given were in bondage. But the son of the free woman is like the children of God in Christ, they are free.

All of this may seem a little difficult to understand, but it will not be too hard if we will only remember that Paul was endeavoring to show the Christians in Galatia that they had become followers of CHrist through the preaching of the gospel, and that they were no longer required to follow the Law of Moses. They had been listening to false teachers and Paul was trying to show them that if they should go back to the Law of Moses, Christ could not mean anything to them.

Salvation is in Christ, however, and no one should go back to the Law, but each one, then and now, should learn of Christ and follow Him.
4. Freedom in Christ
After Paul had explained to the Galatians that they were no longer under the Law of Moses, he stated...(Gal. 5:1). Having been freed from the Law, they should have no desire to return to it.

One should learn the lesson that when one comes to Christ his sins are forgiven. He has freedom from his sins and should never have any desire to return to the old way of life. When one has become a Christian he should no longer do anything that is wicked. He should not steal, use bad language, or be dishonest in any way, but he should use all his time in doing good.
5. Liberty and love.
All of us desire liberty and freedom. We want to be able to do things which we desire to do. No doubt the Galatians felt the same way. As Paul explained that they had freedom in Christ, he warned them that they ought not use this freedom to do anything evil. Neither should we feel that we have liberty to use our freedom for something that is not good. Our freedom and personal liberty gives us the right to do many things, but they do not give us the right to do something which would injure someone else. We have duties as well as liberty, and we ought to love each other so much that we would not want to harm anyone.
6. Walk in the Spirit
To walk in the Spirit means to live the way that Christ wants us to live, and to let our lives be guided by the truths which He has revealed to us in the Bible. We should not walk after the flesh and so we are to avoid those things which he lists as works of the flesh. If we refuse to do them and follow the teaching of CHrist we shall be walking in the Spirit.
7. Fruits of the Spirit
If we live in the Spirit we shall have the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. If we love others and treat them in the right way, they will love us and do good to us. If we are gentle, others will be persuaded to be more gentle. If we live in the faith we shall influence others to live in the faith. Each one of us ought to try to be like Christ.

I.	Answering questions.  After reading this lesson and all of the scriptures, answer these questions briefly.
	1.	Who is an heir?
	2.	How is it that an heir does not differ from a servant as long as he is a child?
	3.	Should Christians observe days and seasons, such as those observed by the Israelites? Why?
	4.	What was the condition of Paul's health when he preached in Galatia the first time?
	5.	Is one an enemy to another because he tells him the truth?
	6.	What did Paul call the comparison between the two sons and the two covenants?
	7.	Are Christians the children of the bond woman or of the free, that is, are they children of God by keeping the Law of Moses, or by faith in Christ?
	8.	In what did Paul admonish the Galatians to stand fast?
	9.	If one should be circumcised according to the Law of Moses, what will he be under obligation to do?
	10.	What does Paul mean when he says that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
	11.	If Christians have liberty in Christ, does that mean that they are free to sin? Explain.
	12.	Make a list of the fruits of the Spirit.
	13.	What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?
II.	Making right choice If you have a good understanding of what this lesson is about, you should be able to choose the right endings to these sentences. Place a check mark on the correct ending.
	1.	An heir is like a servant when he is a child because he
		(a)	has long curly hair.
		(b)	is under tutors until he become of age.
		(c)	does not weigh very much.
	2.	God sent his Son, born of a woman to
		(a)	redeem the ones who were under the law.
		(b)	rule over the Jews like an earthly king.
		(c)	Show people how to build better cars.
	3.	Paul wished that he was in Galatia so that he could
		(a)	criticize them in person.
		(b)	change his voice and explain things to them.
		(c)	enjoy the fresh air in the mountains.
	4.	Christians are all like Isaac because they are
		(a)	the children of promise.
		(b)	timid and afraid to fly in airplanes.
		(c)	sheep herders.
	5.	If one should keep the Law of Moses
		(a)	he is better than anyone else.
		(b)	he must live in Palestine..
		(c)	Christ has become of none effect to him.
	6.	If Christians "bite and devour one another" they are likely to
		(a)	destroy each other
		(b)	please all their neighbors and friends.
		(c)	grow fat and lazy.
	7.	If people are led by the Spirit they are
		(a)	not under the law.
		(b)	not living by the works of the flesh.
		(c)	not growing rich.
III.	Thinking together This lesson has been one that should help us understand that the Galatians were not required to observe the Law of Moses. Of course we learn that we, also, are to follow Christ and not Moses.
	1.	If you have learned that a Christian is an heir with Christ, how do you think he could lose his inheritance?
	2.	Do you think a Christian should observe special days like Easter, Christmas, etc., as many religious people do? Why?
	3.	Does liberty in Christ allow one to do just as he pleases? What does it mean?
	4.	Explain how one may have the fruits of the Spirit in his life.

BECOMING CHILDREN OF GOD
(Gal. 2-3).
Memory verse: (Gal. 3:26-27).
1. Circumcision not required
Some Judaizing teachers had gone among the churches in Galatia and were insisting that they keep the Law of Moses. It seems that some of them desired to accept Christ, but taught that one must keep the Law of Moses even if he did accept Christ. In Acts 15, a record is given of the conference in Jerusalem concerning this question. It should be recalled that the decision there was that one should not be compelled to be circumcised.

Paul told the Galatians that he refused to be governed by the thoughts of those who desired to go back to the Law of Moses, and said that he would not give place to them at all. If one should be circumcised according to the Law of Moses, he would be required to keep the whole law. But the Old Law was done away in Christ. People today are to live according to the New Covenant and by what Jesus has said, and not by the Old Covenant. Circumcision was not commanded in the New Covenant and therefore no one is required to be circumcised today. Paul was grieved because the Galatians were being persuaded to go back under the Old Law, and in his letter he talked to them about their freedom in Christ.
2. Working together
People ought to learn to work together, and this is especially true of CHristians. When Paul and Barnabas had made know to James, Peter and John the results of their work among the Gentiles, they shook hands with Paul and Barnabas and told them to go on preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, while they continued to preach to the Jews most of the time. They could find no fault with the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, but they did desire that they would remember the poor.

The Lord will bless those who work together in preaching the pure gospel of Christ. Not only should Christians work together in the church of the Lord, but boys and girls have a much happier time when they work and play together in a kindly spirit.
3. An Error of Peter
All people make mistakes, and all of us ought to be willing to correct our mistakes when we are informed about them. Paul told the Galatians that when Peter came to Antioch he ate with the Gentiles, but that when some others came from James, evidently from Jerusalem, he quit eating with the Gentiles and would only associate with Jews. Paul said that Barnabas was also persuaded to do that. Paul told Peter that he was wrong. When people become Christians they ought to be willing to associate with other Christians and to work together in peace and harmony.

Is there any room for racial favoritism in Christianity? Is the gospel for all people regardless of race, color, or nationality? The answer must be yes, if we will but listen to what both Peter (Acts 10:34-35), and Paul (Rom. 10:12-13), have said. Should we be willing to associate with Christians of any race? There is no respect of persons with God (Rom. 2:11), and why should people have respect toward others?

Peter was wrong when he refused to eat with the Gentiles in Antioch and we are wrong when we do not treat other people as we would want to be treated. This is true regardless of the person's race or nationality.
4. Source of blessings
Paul said that the Galatians were foolish in that they were turning back to the works of the flesh after they had received the Spirit through Christ, or through the gospel. As James says...(James 1:17), every good thing comes from God. He gave us Christ, and since it is in Christ that all are to be saved, then men are foolish if they try to obtain salvation in some other way.

The crucified Jesus had been preached to the Galatians by Paul, and as they heard, believed and obeyed, they were forgiven of their sins, and henceforth could walk in the Spirit. Under the influence of the false teachers they were about to leave Christ and go back under the Old Law, and that was very foolish.
5. Faith in Christ
God had told Abraham that in him and in his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. (Gen. 12:3; Gen. 22:18) Paul told the Galatians very plainly that this seed of Abraham was Christ. The spiritual blessings promised to all people come through Christ, and not through the Law of Moses. This is a lesson which they should have learned and it is something which each one of us should know also. Salvation is in Christ and not in Moses or in some other.
6. Purpose of the Law
Since sins were not forgiven under the Law of Moses and one must come to Christ for the forgiveness of his sins, someone in Galatia, or among us, might wonder about the purpose of the giving of the Law through Moses. Paul answered by stating that it was given for the purpose of taking care of God's people until Christ should come. It was a "school-master" to bring them to Christ. Paul informed them, however, that after Christ had come they were no longer under the school-master, that is, the Law. Since we are to follow Christ, none of us are under the Law today.
7. The Children of God
Who are the children of God? Are they composed only of those who are direct descendants of Abraham? No, all the families of the earth were to be blessed in Christ, who is the seed of Abraham. Paul explained that it is by faith in Christ, and not by fleshly descent that one becomes a child of God. All those who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ, and it is the one who believes in Christ who is baptized.
 

I.	Two-in-One Problem All the quotations are taken from the Gal. 2:1-12, but they are not in order. These figures do not refer to the verses, but you are to find the verse; put the number of the verse in the blank at the beginning and then fill in the other blank with the correct words which are left out.
	1.	__ "But neither Titus, ___, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised."
	2.	__ "To whom we gave place by subjection, no, ___; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."
	3.	__ "And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel ___, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain."
	4.	__ "Then fourteen years after ___ with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also."
	5.	__ "And that because ___, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus...."
	6.	__ "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision ___, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter."
	7.	__ "(For he that wrought effectually ___ of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.)"
	8.	__ "But of those ___, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me."
	9.	__ "Only they would ___; the same which I also was forward to do."
	10.	__ "For before that certain came from James, ___ with the Gentiles."
	11.	__ "And when James, Cephas, and John, ___, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship."
	12.	__ "But when Peter was come to Antioch, ___, because he was to be blamed."
II.	Acrostic word problem The words are found in the versus indicated in Gal. 2-3. Read the verses and using the clues, fill in all the words. The word in parenthesis states what one should desire to be through Christ.
	2:15	(_) _ _ _ Paul said that he and some others belonged to these by nature.
	2:20	_ _ (_) _ _ _ _ _ _ Paul said he had been thus with Christ, (because he followed Christ).
	3:8	_ _ (_) _ _ _ Something that was preached to Abraham by way of promise.
	3:8	_ _ (_) _ _ _ _ All of these were to be blessed through Abraham and his seed.
	3:5	_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ _ God did these among them through the hearing of faith.
	3:12	(_) _ _ _ _ The law is not of this, but of keeping the rules of the law.
	3:15	_ _ _ _ (_) _ _ _ _ When this has happened to a covenant, it is not to be changed.
	3:13	_ _ _ (_) _ _ _ _ This has happened to those who come to Christ, they are saved from the law.
	3:29	_ _ _ (_) Those who come to Christ, have this relationship with Abraham.
III.	Thoughts to consider
	1.	Must a Christian be circumcised today? Why?
	2.	What does it mean to give one "the right hand of fellowship" now?
	3.	Why did Peter do wrong when he refused to eat with the Gentiles?
	4.	Should a Christian feel as if he is "too good" to associate with other people? Explain.
	5.	Are people saved through the Law of Moses, or through faith in Christ?
	6.	What was the purpose of the Law?
	7.	How do people become children of God now?
	8.	Is there any difference in people in regard to the right to hear the gospel?

Edison's best-known adage appears in various forms, the shortest being his comments to an interviewer that "genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration," his reply to a question about genius from Samuel Insull.
For some years his secretary, more accurately reflects what he really thought: "Well, about 99 percent of it is a knowledge of the things that will not work. The other one percent may be genius, but the only way that I know to accomplish anything is everlastingly to keep working with patient observation."
(John 9:4).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 18, 1998, p. 1]

Author and business leader Fred Smith writes: One of my treasured memories comes from a doughnut shop in Grand Saline, Texas. There was a young farm couple sitting at the table next to mine. He was wearing overalls and she a gingham dress. After finishing their doughnuts, he got up to pay the bill, and I noticed she didn't get up to follow him. But then he came back and stood in front of her.
She put her arms around his neck, and he lifted her up, revealing that she was wearing a full-body brace. He lifted her out of her chair and backed out of the front door to the pickup truck, with her hanging from his neck. As he gently put her into the truck, everyone in the shop watched. No one said anything until a waitress remarked, almost reverently, "He took his vows seriously."
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 18, 1998, p. 3]

J. Wallace Hamilton once told a story about a Russian girl who was brought up as an atheist. She had taken a government examination, and like all students, was worried about some of the answers she had given. One particular question on the exam had bothered her. The question was this: "What is the inscription on the Samarian Wall?" She had written the answer: "Religion is the opiate of the people" - that famous anti-religion declaration of Karl Marx. But the girl wasn't sure of her answer, so she walked seven miles to the Samarian Wall to check it out and sure enough, there it was: "Religion is the opiate of the people." Greatly releaved, she forgot for a moment her upbringing, and said, "Thank God! I had it right."
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 18, 1998, p. 3]

I picked up the tax package by our CPA. For once, I'd surprised my husband Henry and get our tax information in early. As I scanned the lines, I noticed Henry had filled in some lines. To the question, "Did your marital status change...?" he had circles "Yes." As far as I knew, we weren't considering separation or divorce. In fact, we'd soon celebrate our 50th anniversary - unless he had other plans. I moved my hand to uncover the next two words: "Older...better." I liked that change in status!
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 18, 1998, p. 3]

In One Church from the Fence, Wes Seelinger writes: "I have spent long hours in the intensive care waiting room...watching with anguished people...listening to urgent questions: Will my husband make it? Will my child walk again? How do you live without your companion of thirty years?

"The intensive care waiting room is different from any other place in the world. And the people who wait are different. They can't do enough for each other. No one is rude. The distinctions of race and class melt away. A person is a father first, a black man second. The garbage man loves his wife as much as the university professor loves his, and everyone understands this. Each person pulls for everyone else.

"In the intensive care waiting room, the world changes. Vanity and pretense vanish. The universe is focused on the doctor's next report. If only it will show improvement. Everyone knows that loving someone else is what life is all about." Long before we're in the intensive care waiting room maybe we can learn to live like that.
[by Hugh Duncan from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 18, 1998, p. 3]

THE BEST INHERITANCE A FATHER CAN LEAVE HIS CHILDREN IS A GOOD EXAMPLE
A young woman relates that when she was a little girl, her father, an artist, would often be busy at his easel, mixing oils and painting on his big canvases while she sat nearby on the floor, working just as hard as he was with her own set of crayons and a coloring book.

Many a time, he would set his brushes aside, reach down, and lift her up onto his lap. Then he'd curl her little hand around one of his brushes, enfolding it with his own larger and stronger hand. And ever so gently, he would guide her hand and the brush, dipping it into the palette and mixing the burnt umbers and raw siennas, and then stroke the wet, shiny paint onto the canvas before them both.
The little girl watched in amazement as, together, they made something beautiful.
Little did this father know that he was giving his daughter skills that would bring great fulfillment to her life. Today, Joni Tada - a quadriplegic since a diving accident during her teen years - is still painting, but this time with a paintbrush in her mouth. Much of her earnings is channeled into ministry to help others. Her compassion, too, is a reflection of that shown by a loving, tender father.
(I Thes. 2:11).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 18, 1998, p. 4]

I heard of a missionary who did not receive his monthly check. He was seriously ill and because of no money had to live on oatmeal and canned milk. He received his check thirty days later. After mentioning this incident while on furlough a doctor asked the nature of his illness. He described the intestinal digestive trouble he had been having and the doctor said, "If your check had arrived on time and you had been eating your current diet you would now be dead, because the best treatment for your illness was a thirty-day oatmeal diet." You know, our problem is that we do not wait upon the Lord. We forget that it's through faith and patience that we obtain God's promises.
(Psa. 27:14).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 11, 1998, p. 1]

YOUR COMPANIONS ARE LIKE THE BUTTONS ON AN ELEVATOR. THEY WILL EITHER TAKE YOU UP OR THEY WILL TAKE YOU DOWN.
A scorpion, being a very poor swimmer, once asked a turtle to carry him on his back across a river. "Are you mad?" exclaimed the turtle. "You'll sting me while I'm swimming and I'll drown."
The scorpion laughed as he replied, "My dear turtle, if I were to sting you, you would drown and I would do down with you. Now, what would be the point of that? I won't sting you. It would mean my own death!"
The turtle thought about the logic of his argument for a few moments and then said, "You're right. Hop on!" The scorpion climbed aboard and halfway across the river, he gave the turtle a mighty sting.
As the turtle began to sink to the bottom of the river with the scorpion on its back, it moaned in dismay, "After your promise, you still stung me! Why did you do that? Now, we're both doomed."
The drowning scorpion sadly replied, "I couldn't help it. It's my nature to sting."
Study the character of a person before you make them a friend. The stage on which their character plays is going to be your life!
(Prov. 13:20).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 11, 1998, p. 4]

Children do observe. What do they see? The answer separates the effective from the ineffective fathers. The former takes note of the importance of exposure to his children - that every moment he is with them is a chance to make a positive impression for the purpose of character building and spirit development. But the latter doesn't see this. His view of the family is one of simply living together and finding the home to be little more than a meeting place in which to eat, sleep, and have a little fun.
(II Kings 14:3.)
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Oct. 4, 1998, p. 1]

A little boy came to his father and asked him, "Dad, who made God?" The father, engrossed in the evening paper, responded, "Beats me, son." The little boy would not be put off. "Dad, why is the earth round?" The dad answered, "I don't know, son." The boy played for a minute, then asked, "Dad, is there life on other planets?" The father patiently answered, "Nobody knows the answer to that." Finally the boy asked his father, "Dad, do you mind me asking you all these questions?" The father put down his paper, "Why not at all son," he said, "how else are you going to learn?"
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 27, 1998, p. 1]

THE ELEMENTS OF LOVE
The New Testament is filled with exhortations to love. Consider a few:
(John 13:35; I John 2:10; I John 4:7; I John 4:21; I Pet. 1:22).
But what do these Biblical injunctions to love mean? How is this love shown? Is it an emotion, a goose bump, warm, sentimental, fuzzy feeling? It's my firm conviction that when some talk of love, they have in mind ideas that are far from Biblical. Consider the elements of Biblical love:
1. First, it teaches. Paul's love for the Corinthians was manifested in his "coming to them by the word of truth" (I Cor. 6:5-7). So love involves teaching others what they need to know. It is not a feeling, but an act.
2. Love ministers. (Heb. 6:10). Again, you see that love is a verb.
3. Love serves and causes growth. To the Galatians Paul said...(Gal. 5:13). Love stimulates others toward the Lord.
4. Love covers. (I Pet. 4:8). Love does not flaunt another's faults. It never gets in a hurry to expose another's sins. Love is never quick to criticize.
5. Love forgives. (Eph. 4:32; Eph. 5:2).
6. Love sacrifices. (John 15:13-14). Thus, Jesus demonstrated His love toward us by giving His life. Our love is shown toward Him "...by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1).
[by Clarence DeLoach, Jr. from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 27, 1998, p. 2]

BE SLOW TO ANGER
An old train on a branch line was puffing and creaking slowly through the countryside when suddenly it lurched to a stop. The only passenger in the three-car train rose quickly to his feet and hurried to find the conductor. "Why have we stopped?" he demanded. "I'm a salesman and I have an appointment in less than an hour in the next town. Surely this old train can make it through a pasture!"

The conductor smiled, "Nothing to worry about, sir. Just a cow on the tracks. Gotta wait her out." The saleman returned to his seat, fuming and fidgeting until the train began to creep forward again about ten minutes later. It chugged along for a mile or two and then ground to a halt once again.

This time the conductor found the salesman. "Don't worry," he said. "We'll be on our say shortly. It's just a temporary delay." The exasperated salesman asked, "What now? Did we catch up to the cow again?"

What the salesman didn't know was that the schedule for this particular train had been made so as to allow for temporary delays and cows on the track! The salesman made his appointment, but he was worn to a frazzle by his own frustration and concern.

Allow for delays. You'll enjoy life's journey more.
(Prov. 16:32).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 27, 1998, p. 4]

A mother and father decided to use psychology in raising their children. For example, at bedtime they would say to the children, "Would you like to take your doll to bed or your teddy bear to bed?" You see, the beauty of this is that in either case the child is choosing to go to bed. But the whole system collapsed when the three-year-old, who was never allowed to go out after supper, said to her parents one evening, "Do you want me to go out the back door or should I go out the front?"
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 20, 1998, p. 1]

WE NEED GOD'S HELP
In our battle with the forces of evil we are in need of divine assistance. (Jer. 10:23). Not even the great apostle Paul felt that he was able to win his battle without the Lord's support, and we hear him saying...(Phili. 4:13). If Paul needed help so do we. Here are some things that will help, if we keep them constantly before us:
1. We must keep in mind the value of our soul, and the soul of others. (Matt. 16:26). One soul is greater in value than the whole world. Paul said...(I Cor. 9:27). Always heed the warning, don't lose your soul.
2. Always keep in mind the day of judgment, when we must all appear to give account for our deeds. (II Cor. 5:10). Someone has said that on this day, a million dollars won't be worth any more than a bale of hay. Are you laying up treasures in heaven?...or on earth?
3. We should live each day, as if it were the last day, it could be, you know. The living know that they will die. (Eccl. 9:5). Death is an inescapable appointment and mortality is 100% unless we are alive when Jesus returns, even then we shall be changed.
4. We should strive to be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity (I Tim. 4:12). Christians should be the salt of the earth and the light of the world that should lead others to follow Jesus even as we follow Him. Can the world see that we have made a commitment to Christ and His church.
5. We should always avail ourselves of the privilege and power of prayer. Remember that the...(James 5:16). Jesus said...(Matt. 7:7).
We will need the strength that God supplies to overcome temptation. Let us pray as though everything depended on prayer, and work as though everything depended on our efforts. Let the Bible be your guide, meditate on its precepts. (Psa. 119:105; Psa. 119:11).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 20, 1998, p. 2]

We read in the papers, we hear on the air,
Of killing and stealing, and crime everywhere.
We sign, and we say, as we notice the trend,
"This young generation! Where will it all end?"
But can we be sure that it's their fault alone?
That maybe most of it isn't really our own?
Too much money to spend, too much idle time;
Too many movies of passion and crime;
Too many books not fit to be read;
Too much of evil in what they hear said;
Too many children encouraged to roam,
By too many parents who won't stay at home.
Kids don't make the movies, they don't write the books,
That paint a fun picture of gangsters and crooks.
They don't make the liquor, they don't run the bars,
They don't pass the laws, nor make the high-speed cars.
They don't make the drugs that addle the brain;
It's all done by older folks greedy for gain.
Thus in so many cases it much be confessed,
The label "delinquent" fits older folks best.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 20, 1998, p. 3]

THE PROBLEM WITH ORAL TRADITION
We are aware that some claim that there is a body of inspired truth, spoken by Christ and endorsed by the apostles, which was never committed to writing. They tell us that these truths, although they were never committed to writing, have been handed down by word of mouth from the first century and are of equal authority with the written word in our New Testament. This theory of oral tradition poses a real problem when one considers how difficult it is for people to transmit a factual account around a room, much less an accurate message passed down through twenty centuries. How could such a message be reliable without each individual who passed it on being inspired? This would require continuing inspiration and special revelations. Of course we have had certain religious teachers who have claimed to be inspired, and claimed to be guided by the Holy Spirit. This, of course, conflicts with the Biblical claims of final and complete revelation. (II Pet. 1:3). If we have all things that pertain to life and godliness as Peter affirms, and we do, what need would we have for present day revelation? Paul says...(II Tim. 3:16-17). And Jude speaks of the faith...(Jude 3). This does not leave any valid reason for continuing revelation, but another perplexing question arises. If these teachers today are guided by the Holy Spirit why do they contradict and condemn one another?
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 20, 1998, p. 4]

A real Christian is an odd number, anyway. He feels supreme love for One who he has never seen; talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; kneels in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest; richest when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passeth knowledge.
[by A.W. Tozer from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 13, 1998, p. 1]

DID GOD SEND THE STORMS?
It seems strange, when anything good takes place we are quick to claim the credit for a thing happening. Even the weather men laughingly claim the credit if we have beautiful weather for a few days. Yet I've never heard one of them even jokingly take credit for storms or a tornado. They only want credit for the good. Usually we hear people looking at the devastation and destruction, declaring this to be an act of God. It is common to hear the question, "Why did God bring this storm on us? Is He mad at us for some reason?"

I know God is certainly capable of sending the storms. He sent the flood which destroyed the old world in the days of Noah. He sent the earthquake which swallowed up the sons of Korah when they rebelled against Moses and his leadership. God sent the fire and brimstone from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah when their wickedness became so great He couldn't bear it any longer.

I also know God sometimes allows Satan to bring storms upon people. In the book of Job God allowed Satan to send the tornado on the house where Job's ten children were gathered for a party in which all of them died.

But, it is equally true that many things happen in the world which are simply acts of nature, where God has not stepped in to stop the results of living in a world stained by sin. The storms fell on the good and evil alike. It hit houses of worship the same as it did homes and businesses. Instead of this being an action of God upon us, it is far more likely an action of nature due to the world being invaded by sin.

Even in times when nature has brought devastation, I should remember that God is able to bring good from the bad. He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). The storm was not good at all. But God is able to bring many good things from it. He has opened the hearts of people toward each other. He has used the destruction to allow all of us to see the frailty of our own existence. Life is truly a vapor which appears for a little time and then vanishes away. We can only escape the tragedies of this world by going to heaven, the home of the soul where there is no more death, decay or devastation. Let's go.
[by Leon Barnes from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 13, 1998, p. 2]

If a child is playing with a toy you don't want him to have, how can you get it away from him? Take it by force, and he'll bawl for hours. The better way is to distract his attention by interesting him in something else. Then while his attention is diverted, you can take away the toy. Oddly enough, that's exactly how the devil tempts us. The lure of wealth or fame or pleasure distracts us and lets him take from our hearts our trust in God.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 13, 1998, p. 3]

PEW POTATOES
It has been said that couch potatoes are the kings and queens of the sofa, while others reign as sovereigns of the pew. How does a person know if he or she is a pew potato?
* You might be a pew potato if you cannot remember what the sermon was about and the preacher is still preaching.
* You might be a pew potato if you cannot find your Bible because it is propping up the broken leg of the couch.
* You might be a pew potato of you give more to the local cable company than you do to the Lord's church.
* You might be a pew potato if when you hear the term "plan of redemption" you think it's grocery store double coupon week.
* You might be a pew potato if your idea of mission work is singing "Send the Light."
* You might be a pew potato if the only Peter, Paul and Mary you are familiar with are the one who sang "Puff the Magic Dragon" or if you think "Jude" is half the title of a Beatles' hit.
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 13, 1998, p. 4]

What a storehouse of wisdom and spiritual power is evident in God's "senior saints"! That's why they shouldn't let their advancing age and declining physical vigor stop them from doing things for the Lord. Instead, older Christians should continue to be fruitful and productive.

A man who was celebrating his 100th birthday was told by a friend, "Well, I congratulate you, but I'm afraid you'll not be here to celebrate a second hundred." To this the man replied, "I'm not so sure of that. The fact is, I am feeling very much stronger to begin this second hundred than I was when I began the first." That's the attitude Christians need as they face their senior years.
(Prov. 20:29).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 6, 1998, p. 1]

I heard an interesting comment at a meeting I attended in New York, and I made a note of it: Because Jean-Claude Killy, the world-famous skier, was three-tenths of a second faster than his closest competitor, he earned $3 million instead of having to settle for being a $10,000-a-year ski instructor.
This is probably an oversimplification to some extent, but it is substantially and very likely true. Three-tenths of a second made the difference. It's much the same in most things.
As Christian workers, let's do all that we can to give just a little more attention to the little things that will propel us on to greater achievement!
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 6, 1998, p. 3]

Someone has said that marriage is a work of art that is never finished. It is the most challenging and complex of all the works a human being can create. It is not like painting, poetry, architecture, or a novel. We can never put down the tools of this art form, step back, and pronounce the work complete. Marriage is an ongoing project.

Unlike most of our artistic works, marriage involves intense cooperation between two people. Husband and wife bring to their marriage their personal histories, their bodies, their talents, their fears, their dreams, their infirmities - all that makes them distinct from every other person living. They are unique as persons. But they believe that with each other they can have a fuller life than either could know alone.

Can this uniting of two lives work? I know about the propaganda against this promise, "for better or for worse." But I also know about any number of good marriages. And those relationships cannot be compared to the provisional relationships in which people refuse to commit themselves.

Good marriages will have their share of misunderstandings, personal and financial crises, and disagreements. But as Clayton Barbeau suggests, if the quality of the marriage relationship is good and our mutual commitment to our relationship unquestioned, then the problems we confront - even our disagreements with one another - can become sources of a deeper love. To truly love one another is to accept the other person in his or her differences from oneself, to strive to understand the other's point of view, to forgive the other's failures in the relationship, and to seek the other's good ahead of one's own self-seeking.
[by Harold Hazelip from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Sept. 6, 1998, p. 4]

My small son and I were taking a walk. In the far corner of the field we found a small patch of beautiful and fragrant flowers. They were in the middle of weeds, almost completely hidden and unnoticed, yet these flowers were blooming in full beauty and we sensed their fresh fragrance. All of us have met persons unnoticed by many, but who in the middle of struggle and unlikely surroundings far from the center of attention live lives of beauty and fragrance. And living lives which seemed obscured they faithfully fulfilled God's calling for them. God's question on the last day will not be, "How much were you noticed?" or even "How much did you do?" Rather, His question will be, "Did you use the blessings given you to my glory?"
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 30, 1998, p. 1]

THE CAUSE OF STRIFE
Backbiting has always been and is now held in utmost contempt and as an abomination by the living God of heaven. The word backbite means to "censure, slander, reproach, or speak evil of the absent." (Webster) Some of the synonyms listed in Roget's Thesaurus, this compilation being reliable and informative, are caviling, defaming, slandering, knocking, reviling, castigating, and libeling. The very nature of, and the spirit that prompts, this ruinous use of the tongue is sufficient that even human wisdom deplores it. And hear divine wisdom...(Prov. 6:16, 19). The backbiter, speaking evil of the absent, stands a coward before man and an abomination before God.

Backbiters, who are contentious whisperers speaking evil of the absent, are responsible for untold strife and turmoil. They have not the honor to speak openly or to stand behind what they say, but whispering to sympathetic (?) ears they engender strife and ill will rather than peace and harmony. A backbiter or whisperer is to contention just like wood to a fire. (Prov. 26:20). Whenever a condition of stirred emotions, ill will, strife and contention persists, you can mark it down, almost without exception, that wood is being added to the fire by a talebearing whisperer.

Void of love for brethren and without honor for self; talebearers, backbiters, and whisperers engender contention and inflame strife, sow discord and disrupt unity among brethren. Truly they are cowards before men and abominations before God.

Paul solemnly warned about idle "tattlers and busybodies" (I Tim. 5:13). Listen now to James...(James 3:5-6). Listen further...(James 5:9). On personal matters (Matt. 18:15), one is to go to his brother and reason with him, and not behind his back to defame or harm. On matters of divine principle, how much better to be open and above board in an effort to convert and "restore" the brother "overtaken in a trespass" (James 5:19-20; Gal. 6:1). But not so with the backbiters and whisperers who have neither respect for the scriptures, love for brethren, nor honor for their own persons. Yes, they are cowards before men and abominations before God.

The cure for such is simple...(Rom. 12:9). Love cannot speak evil in the absence of its object, neither can it backbite nor defame. The trouble engendered by this abominable and hideous sin could be removed in an hour if the cure was but applied. When does the fire go out? And thus doest strife cease with the presence of unfeigned love and the halting of the bearing of tales by whisperers and backbiters. And lest we be tempted to fall in this snare of talking without thinking of the welfare of others, let us remember that "the judge standeth before the doors."
[by J.E. Frost from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 30, 1998, p. 2]

A MARRIAGE MAY BE MADE IN HEAVEN, BUT THE MAINTENANCE MUST BE DONE ON EARTH
A woman once went away on a long weekend retreat with a group of women from her church. About halfway through the final Monday-morning session, she suddenly jumped to her feet and left the room. Concerned, a friend followed her to see what had caused her to leave the meeting so abruptly. She found her friend just as she was hanging up a telephone in the lobby.
"Is everything all right?" she asked urgently.
"Oh, yes," the woman responded. "I didn't mean to cause you alarm." A bit sheepishly, she added, "I suddenly remembered that it's Monday morning - trash day."
"Trash day?" Your husband is still at home. Surely..."
"Yes," the woman interrupted, "but it takes two of us to put out the trash. I can't carry it. And he can't remember it."
Marriages are meant to be complementary - two pulling together as one, not in competition, but in mutual association. Learning how to work together and to live together is the "maintenance" of love.
(Eph. 5:33).
[from The Church of Christ at Sycamore Chapel [bulletin], Aug. 30, 1998, p. 4]

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Focusing on the Gospel of Luke for the year. The Church's Social Justice Charter: Christ announces that his mission is to serve the poor and the oppressed. The gospel begins with the repetition that the mission of justice foreshadowed in the Old Testament is to be fulfilled by Himself and his followers.

We have the famous beatitude: "Blessed are the poor". Luke does not add "in spirit" and forestalls any sugar coating of the message by adding: "woe upon you who are rich, you have already had your easy life." We also read that one cannot serve both God and money and we will hear again of the rich man who would not help the hungry Lazarus and so was condemned to eternal exclusion from the Kingdom.

Luke's story of the young man who would not give up his wealth to follow Jesus is of interest. This is where we hear the uncompromising words...(Matt. 19:24). Modern scripture scholars have dismissed interpretations which make the needle eye into a city gate. Jesus may have been exaggerating to make a point but he was exaggerating to shocking effect. He really meant the eye of a needle! Imagine if He had said: "It is harder for an adulterer (abortionist, homosexual, etc.) to enter the kingdom than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle." That message would have been preached in every church in the land.

Jesus, at the very beginning of his ministry stands up for the first time to announce his programme, to deliver his manifesto. With all the wealth of the Old Testament writers available, he chooses a piece from Isaiah to show that His ministry is about justice. (Isa. 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19). We begin with: "I tell you this is fulfilled here today." Having talked about a mission to serve the world and its needs and to promote justice, He says: "this is my agenda, this is my mission." It follows that it must also be the mission of the church.

As churches take a stand, is it not amazing that many Christians think that churches should not be involved in what they call "politics"? What version of the New Testament do they read? What do they make of the Charter in Luke's Gospel? What do we make of it as we begin another year in which the poor and the oppressed are still very much with us on the world scene but also in our own country? How are we to "bring good news to the poor...and set free those who are oppressed"?
[from St Patrick's News, Feb., 1998, p. 9-10]

"Never tire of doing good" the scriptures tell us (Gal. 6:9). But tiredness is a normal human response. Everybody gets tired sometimes. And God does not tell us not to get tired as such, simple that we should not get tired of doing good.

God does not promise us a bottomless supply of energy to keep going in spite of the human requirements for sleep and rest. But he does ask us to keep on doing good. This is not a matter of having more energy, it is a matter of the kind of spirit animating the energy we have.

Will we use our energy for good or evil? Will we use our energy in self-interest or in the interests of Jesus and others? Jesus asks us to offer the energy we have in his service, to do good.
[by John Wilson from All Saints' Parish Newsletter, 15 Nov. 1998, p. 1]

The Auckland power supply catastrophe has made me think how much electricity can be compared to grace. Electricity can't be stored in jars for future use. It's got to be there when needed for energy.

The same with God's grace. We need it for the energy to do good - to bring light and warmth into peoples' lives. We can't do anything good on our own - even to think about doing good, let alone carrying the good aspiration through. One can't store grace. The grace offered must be used. Then God offers the next, and the next, and we keep growing into the loving, developed and grace-full human being the Father wants each of His children uniquely to be. The growth is a joint enterprise between supplier and consumer - God offering his power but respecting our dignity as free human beings, awaiting our cooperation. As to the final product, we recall great teacher and martyr St Irenaeus' (died 202) dictum, "The glory of God is a person fully alive."

There is one difference: God never breaks down in supplying His grace - free! Praise Him.
[by Father Brian from Cathedral of the Holy Spirit [newsletter], 8 Mar., 1998, p. 1]

Jesus observed at an important social occasion how some guests picked the places of honour for themselves. Jesus then told a story with the punchline that people who want to lift themselves above others will be humbled by God, but those who humble themselves will be lifted up by God.

Jesus went on to say that when we hold large meals we should invite those most in need of it, people who cannot pay us back. It is a nice thing to do, and perfectly normal, to invite our family and friends to festive meals. And there is a place for that but this is normal rather than virtuous behaviour. Usually it does not cost us deeply or help the recipients deeply.

Jesus said "invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind, and you will be blessed".
[by John Wilson from All Saints' Parish Newsletter, 30 Oct. 1998, p. 1]

God, you have given us a lodging in this world but not an abiding city. Help us, as a pilgrim people, to endure hardness, knowing that at the end of our journey Christ has prepared a place for us. Amen.
[from All Saints' Parish Newsletter, 30 Aug. 1998]

Grieving is never easy. And being a Christian does not insulate a person against the pain of the loss of a loved one, or insulate us from any difficulty which may come to people.

But sharing our burdens with a person who cares for us often reduces the weight of the burden we feel. And Christians have a double outlet for sharing their burdens. We have Jesus himself to talk to, and we have others who are friends of Jesus to talk to: visible and invisible friends.

Both types of friend are important. It is easier to feel understood when we speak to someone we can see. But actually we are far better understood when we talk to Jesus than when we talk to anyone else. Being a Christian we can have it both ways! God is good.
[by John Wilson from All Saints' Parish Newsletter, 11 Oct., 1998, p. 1]

Jesus thou art all compassion
Pure unbounded love thou art
Visit us with thy salvation
Enter every trembling heart.
[by Charles Wesley]

Jesus said, "I will be with you always." He promised us that we would always have His presence but He never promised that we would always feel His presence.
[by Jean Rees]

NOW IS THE TIME TO SERVE CHRIST
Lesson text: (II Cor. 5-6).
Memory verse: (II Cor. 6:1-2).
1. An eternal home in heaven
The "earthly house of this tabernacle" mentioned by Paul is the physical body in which we live while we are on the earth. The Christian has the assurance that when he dies, or when his earthly tabernacle is "dissolved," he has an eternal dwelling place in the heavens. As long as men live in this world there are burdens to be borne, and Paul is one of the greatest examples of those who suffered for the Lord patiently. He had an increasing desire to leave the world and to go to be with Christ, but he was desirous of helping others as much as possible and for that reason he was willing to work and suffer.

Those who live righteous lives will be clothed with eternal life, and will die no more, but those people who refuse to live for Christ will find that their evil lives will be naked and open before the Lord.
2. Living by faith
While we are here in the world we live in our fleshly bodies, but we may also live for Christ, hoping to be with Him after life is over. We do not know enough and are not wise enough to see the way that we should go, but Christians must live, or walk, by faith in Christ. This living by faith means that we are to study the word of God in order that we may know what he has told us to do, and our faith in Him will cause us to live as he directs.

Paul stated that he would like to be with the Lord, but that he was willing to work and labor all the time that he lived in order that the Lord might accept him. This is the way that we should live. If we realize that Christ died for us, and that sometime we must all appear before Him and answer to Him for the way that we have lived, we ought to desire that we always behave ourselves in such way that He will be pleased with our lives. We cannot talk with Jesus directly but He has given us the Bible to show us how to live. Our faith comes by a study of the Bible, and thus we may walk by faith.
3. Persuading men
In view of the fact that all men must appear before Christ for the judgment and to receive according to the way that they lived in the world, Paul was interested in persuading men to turn to God and to live his way. Each one must appear before the judgment seat of Christ and will there receive according to the way he has lived, whether he was righteous or wicked. The judgment day will be a time of terror for the ones who have lived wickedly for they shall be sent away from God and all that is good forever. Paul knew this and tried in every way that he could to preach the gospel to men that they might be persuaded to turn from their evil ways and live by faith in Christ. If men will do this their sins will be forgiven and they will be welcomed by Jesus into the presence of God.

When one has become a Christian himself he ought to be interested in other people to the extent that he will do all that he can to help persuade them that they ought to become Christians too. There are many ways to persuade men, but one of the most effective things that one may do is to live a good life before them. We first do what Jesus taught us and then we teach other that they ought to obey the Lord in bringing them to Christ. Jesus himself began "to do and to teach" (Acts 1:1).
4. A person is new in Christ
We may wonder what Paul meant when he stated that a person in Christ is a new creature and that old things are passed away. (II Cor. 5:17). We know that we still have the same physical bodies, and still look very much as we did before we confessed Christ and were baptized into Him. But one is a new creature in that he has turned from the old way of living to living as Christ says for one to live. He has a different attitude toward other people, toward his own life, and toward Jesus. He is ready to think new thoughts and to act in a different way and that is the reason Paul says one is a new creature.
5. Workers with God
God is the one who has made it possible for men to be saved and to become new creatures, and this salvation is in Christ. Neither God nor Christ talks with men directly, however, and for this reason men have been chosen to tell other men about the story of the Christ. That is the reason Paul stated that he and the other apostles were ambassadors for Christ and that they had been given the ministry of reconciliation. (II Cor. 5:18-20). They were workers with God and Christians today are workers with God in that they are to tell other people the same story of God and Christ which was delivered to them. We are workers with God when we live righteous lives and help other people to learn about Christ.
6. The Day of salvation
Paul said...(II Cor. 6:2). This means that just as soon as one hears about Christ and learns what the Lord wants him to do, he should obey immediately. One should not wait until another day, or another time, to do what the Lord says, but listen and obey today. One does not have to wait for the Lord to forgive him, or to wait for a better time, but just as soon as anyone is convinced that he needs to do something in obedience to Christ that is the time to do it.
7. Shun evil
Christians should stay away from anything that is evil. They ought to avoid association with people who are wicked and refuse to engage in the evil things which they do. This means that Christians are not to use language that is bad, and they are not to go to places where people engage in wicked things.

I.	Memorizing There are two thoughts in these memory verses what you should note especially. One is that each one who is a Christian and trying to help others is a worker with God. Isn't it a wonderful thought that one can work with God? We like to work with those whom we love. God wants us to love Him and to work with Him. The other thought is that now is the time for people to come to Christ. They should not wait, but come just as soon as they know they ought to obey Him. Memorize these verses and review them often in order that you may not forget them.
II.	Answering questions The numbers refer to the verses in II Cor. 5. Read the verse and then answer the question briefly.
	1	What did Paul mean when he said we would have a house in the heavens not made with hands?
	2	Why did Paul groan?
	4	When Paul said we are to be "clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life" what did he mean?
	7	How does one walk by faith and not by sight?
	10	Where must every one appear? Why?
	11	Why did Paul say he was so interested in persuading men?
	17	What does it mean for one to be a new creature in Christ?
	20	As ambassadors of Christ, what was the duty of Paul and the other apostles?
	21	Who was it, who knew no sin, but was made to be sin for us?
III.	True or false Read II Cor. 6 and then check the statements which are true.
	1.	Christians are workers together with God.
	2.	The day of salvation is now, that is, when one knows what he ought to do, that is the time to do it.
	3.	If one is a Christian he is all right regardless of how he may conduct himself.
	4.	Paul continued to preach the gospel of Christ though he often suffered much persecution.
	5.	Those who are righteous may associate with those who are unrighteous without any danger of doing anything evil.
	6.	Christ has no agreement with Satan, and believers have no part with infidels, that is, those who do not believe in God.
IV.	Acrostic word problem The words are found in the verses indicated in II Cor. 5-6. Using the verses and the clues given fill in the blanks with a letter on each. The letters in parentheses, reading down, spell the name for something which each one should seek today.
	5:1	_ _ _ (_) _ _ _ _ What will happen to our earthly house when we die. (dissolved)
	5:1	_ _ (_) _ _ _ _ Where the eternal home, not make with hands, is found. (heaven)
	5:14	(_) _ _ _ Something of Christ which constraineth us; causes us to work. (love)
	6:1	(_) _ _ _ The grace of God should not be received in this way. (vain)
	6:2	_ _ _ (_) _ The time of salvation which should never be neglected. (today)
	6:5	_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ Something which Paul received in many of his persecutions. (stripes)
	6:4	_ _ _ (_) _ _ _ _ _ Paul was one of these as he preached the gospel of Christ. (ministers)
	6:15	_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ Something which Christ does not have with the evil one. (concord)
	6:17	_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ The kind of things which a Christian should never touch. (unclean)
V.	Thinking together Our fellow students and the teacher can help us very much with their ideas and suggestions when we come together to talk things over. Each of us needs to learn to think correctly and we need lots of information in order that we may learn to do that. Study about these problems and then talk them over in class.
	1.	Do you think that Paul had a very strong faith in Christ? Why?
	2.	Why should people want to go to heaven?
	3.	What do you think Paul meant when he said that one is a new creature in Christ?
	4.	What do we mean when we say that today is the day of salvation?
	5.	What effect would association with wicked people have upon us?
	6.	What did Paul mean when he said, "come out from among them, and be ye separate," in writing to the Corinthians?

FOLLOWING CHRIST
Lesson text: (II Cor. 10-11).
Memory verse: (II Cor. 10:17-18).
1. A Christian does not follow the flesh
If one follows the flesh he is selfish, and does many wicked things. Paul made a list of the "works" of the flesh in Gal. 5:19-21, and if one follows after the desires of the flesh he will be guilty of some of these things.

Paul told the Corinthians that though people live in the flesh, that is, in the bodies of flesh, Christians are not to "war after the flesh." This means that a Christian life is not patterned according to the ways of the world, but that the Christian lives according to the way of the Lord. The warfare of the Christian is not with men and according to the way that men often fight with each other, but the warfare of a Christian is with sin and all the evil in the world. The one who follows Christ first makes his own life conform to the teaching of the Master and then tries to help other people live as Christ would like for them to live.
2. Outward appearances
Men nearly always look on the outward appearance, and come to conclusions from what they see on the outside. People nearly always think of what boys and girls, or men and women wear and of how they "look", rather than of what is in the minds of people. Of course, we should always try to look neat and to dress as the occasion would demand, and we ought to try to speak correctly, but the inside of a person is of more importance than the outside.

Sometimes people think more of how the preacher looks, or of the fine language which he may be able to use, than they do of what he is teaching.

Evidently some people down in Corinth were thinking more of how Paul looked and of his manner of speaking than they were of the message which he had for them from the Lord. Paul assured them, however, that regardless of how he might appear to some, he would be just as strong when he should come to them as he appeared to be in his letters. If they had been careful about obeying the word of the Lord, they would have not been overly concerned about Paul's personal appearance.
3. Unwise comparisons
Paul further instructed the Corinthians that it was not wise to compare themselves with themselves as some were doing. If a person compares himself with another person he may learn whether the other person is stronger than he in some ways, but he will not have a real evaluation of his own strength, or character. In order that one may know where he is and how strong he is, it is necessary that he have a true standard by which to measure himself. Concerning character, one cannot find a true standard in the lives of any of his fellows, but he must look to the Lord for that standard and the Lord has given it in the Bible.

Sometimes people say that they do not think that it is necessary for them to be baptized and obey the Lord that they may be members of the church because they think they are better than some church members. This is using a wrong standard of comparison. They ought rather to compare themselves with the standard of life set forth in the Bible, and then try to measure up to that standard.

What does Christ want one to do? When one has studied the Bible and learned just what Christ would have him do, he ought to do that even if other people refuse to obey the Lord. After one has become a Christian he should live as Christ would have him live, and not be influenced to neglect his duty by the lives of those who do not follow the Christ. If one is wise he will not compare himself with others, but with the teachings of Christ.
4. Rejoice in the Lord
As we read some of Paul's statements about what he had done and the tribulations which he had endured, it may seem to us that he was boasting of himself. But as we notice all that he had to say about the matter we learn that he really was not trying to boast of his own accomplishments but that he was endeavoring to prove to the Corinthians that those who were opposing him in Corinth did not have anything of which they might boast. His opposers were not qualified nearly as well as he, and in reality they were not apostles. Paul said that one should glory in the Lord and not in himself.
5. Paul's support
We learned, from our study of I Cor. 9, that those who labor in the gospel are to be supported by others. In our lesson today we find that Paul said that he had not asked the Corinthians to support him, but rather other churches had done so while he was preaching in Corinth. This should have proven to them that Paul had not come to them for any personal glory or gain, but that he had worked there for the glory of God and for the salvation of their souls.
6. Satan as an angel of light
The opposers of Paul were deceitful, and false apostles, and were really serving Satan instead of God. That is the way in which Satan works. He never comes to us in his true character, but chooses some form or some means which seems very attractive. You will never meet the devil on the street dressed in a red robe, with horns and a tail, but he will tempt you in ways that seem to be very desirable. He works through people who seem to be our friends, but if we follow some of the suggestions we shall find ourselves doing things which are not right. The way to safe-guard ourselves is to study the Bible so that we shall be able to recognize something that is evil and thus be ready to stay away from it.
7. Paul's sufferings and persecutions
When we read the account of Paul's trials, we ought to rejoice that we are not being called upon to face such persecutions, but at the same time we ought to resolve that we shall be strong enough and so love the Lord that we, too, would undergo such trials if necessary in order that we might be true to Him and help others to walk in the way of the Lord.
I. Memorizing
You can memorize these two verses in a few minutes for they are short. No one should brag on himself, but he should praise the Lord. If one is strong enough and wise enough to do many things, he ought to thank God for his wonderful gifts.

I.	Memorizing You can memorize these two verses in a few minutes for they are short. No one should brag on himself, but he should praise the Lord. If one is strong enough and wise enough to do many things, he ought to thank God for his wonderful gifts.
II.	Two-in-one problem These quotations are from II Cor. 10:1-12, but they are not taken in order. Find the verse, fill in the words which are missing, and then place the number of the verse in the blank at the beginning of the quotation. This makes the two-in-one problem:
	1.	__ "Casting down imaginations, __ that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
	2.	__ "For though we walk __, we do not war after the flesh."
	3.	__ "But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, __ which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh."
	4.	__ "Do ye look on things __? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's."
	5.	__ "Now I Paul myself __ of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you."
	6.	__ "For his letters, say they, __; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."
	7.	__ "That I may not seem as if I __."
	8.	__ "(For the weapons of our __, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.)"
	9.	__ "For though I should boast __, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed."
	10.	__ "Let such a one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, __ when we are present."
	11.	__ "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, __: but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
	12.	__ "And having __ when your obedience is fulfilled."
III.	Acrostic word problem These words are found in the verses indicated in II Cor. 11. Use the clues and fill in the blanks with the letters of the words. Be able to explain the meaning of the word in parentheses.
	2	_ _ (_) _ _ _ _ Christians are espoused (married) to one of these. [husband]
	3	_ _ _ _ (_) _ _ _ Something which the serpent did to Eve through his subtlety. [beguiled]
	3	(_) _ _ _ _ Something that will be corrupted if people follow false teaching. [minds]
	9	_ _ _ (_) _ _ _ _ The Macedonians did this for Paul concerning his needs. [supplied]
	13	_ _ (_) _ _ These were not true apostles, but were deceitful, foolish people. [false]
	15	_ _ _ (_) _ _ _ _ _ A word used here to refer to some of the servants of Satan. [ministers]
	20	_ _ (_) _ _ One suffers if he is struck on this part of his person. [faces]
	25	_ _ _ (_) _ _ The number of times Paul said he had been beaten with rods. [thrice]
	27	_ _ _ (_) _ _ _ _ Paul said he was often engaged in these, as well as other privations. [fastings]
	30	_ _ _ _ (_) Paul said if he had to do this he would do so concerning his infirmities. [glory]
IV.	Completing sentences correctly Check the endings which complete the sentences correctly.
	1.	When Paul was in their midst, some of the Corinthians thought that
		(a)	he was small and unimportant
		(b)	he was very bold and boisterous.
		(c)	he was a great orator.
	2.	Paul did not think it wise for people to compare themselves with
		(a)	the Bible and Christ.
		(b)	themselves and measure themselves by themselves.
		(c)	Paul and the other apostles
	3.	When Paul said that he robbed other churches he meant that
		(a)	he slipped into their buildings sometimes.
		(b)	he had stolen some money from them.
		(c)	they paid him while he preached in Corinth.
	4.	Sometimes the ministers (servants) of Satan transform themselves into
		(a)	snakes and reptiles
		(b)	ministers of righteousness
		(c)	real devils with horns and tails.
V.	For clear thinkers Be able to give some good ideas about these questions.
	1.	Can one really follow Christ and do as all other people do?
	2.	If it is unwise for one to compare himself with another person, what should be the standard of comparison?
	3.	Why should we always be careful when we are listening to strangers?

CHRIST IS OUR STRENGTH
Lesson text: (II Cor. 12-13).
Memory verse: (II Cor. 12:9-10).
1. Paul's view of heaven
In order to prove his apostleship to the Corinthians, and thus to show that those who opposed him were not right, Paul related his experiences concerning heaven. He stated that he knew one in Christ, who, over fourteen years before, had been caught up into paradise. He, of course, was the one because he explained later about what he was not allowed to do. In that vision, or while he was in the third heaven, he heard words which he was not allowed to repeat. There are some things in heaven which men are not ready to receive. Men do not know everything and they are not able to learn all about everything. People are assured that there are wonders and glories in heaven which men have not even thought about, but they are given enough of the facts to assure them that it is a wonderful place. God has also informed men concerning the way to live that they may have the opportunity to enjoy heaven. Of course none of Paul's critics had seen such wonderful things as had been revealed to him.
2. Humility
Paul did not want to boast, and he said that boasting was foolish. The things which he stated about himself and his experience were only given to prove to the Corinthians that he was truly an apostle of the Lord, and that those who criticized him were not true apostles. We, as well as Paul, could profitably keep in mind the statement made by the wise man so long ago...(Prov. 27:2).

God wants each one of us to be humble and to have a meek and quiet spirit. A haughty spirit is not pleasing to God. Neither do people like a person with that kind of spirit.
3. The thorn in the flesh
Paul does not say what the "thorn in the flesh" was, but he does state that it was given to him to prevent him thinking too much of himself, or being exalted in his own eyes. God had given to him exceedingly great and wonderful visions and revelations, and then the thorn in the flesh that he might remain humble, and recognize his dependency upon God. Paul said that he petitioned the Lord three times to remove this thorn in the flesh, but that God refused to do so, saying that his grace was sufficient for Paul. When men realize that they are weak themselves then they are more likely to place a trust in God.

Those people who trust solely in themselves, or in riches, or anything else in the world, are placing their trust in the wrong place. Our trust should be placed in God who gives good things. Sometimes we may have "thorns in the flesh" also, which serve to test our faith and trust in God. God wants us to have patience and be strong enough to endure temptations. If we fall we are not very strong.

When everything goes along smoothly we think that everything is fine and that we are all right. If something goes wrong we may begin to feel that we are weak, and we may be, but if we will but put our trust in God and in Christ, then we may become strong in spite of things which are not right, even as Paul stated that when he was weak he was strong. He was weak within himself, but by trusting in God he became strong.
4. Signs of an apostle
Paul reminded the Corinthians that he had performed all the signs and wonders which proved that he was a true apostle of Christ, when he was in Corinth. He had given to them all the evidences which other churches had that he was a chosen worker for Christ. He said that they were not behind any of the other churches in these matters, with the exception that he had not asked them for personal support, and was not a burden to them in that way. He indicated that he really should have asked this and wrote, "forgive me this wrong." It is right that those who give their time to the work of the Lord and to preaching should be supported by others.

If Paul had performed all the miracles which an apostle could perform, the Corinthians should not listen to his opposers who said that he was not an apostle.
5. Paul was strong in Christ
Paul had no desire to appear strong within himself before the Corinthians, but his strength was in Christ. Some of the people in Corinth had said that Paul was weak and had a very poor appearance, but he let them know that if he should have to come in person to prove that he was an apostle of the Lord, that through the power of God he could do anything that was necessary to be done.
6. Proving one's self
Paul admonished the Corinthian Christians to examine themselves to see whether they were faithful to Christ. Christians today should do the same thing. The only standard by which to make such examination is the word of the Lord. Instead of talking about others and criticising them so much people ought to read their Bibles and try to live according to its teaching themselves. If the Corinthians had been more careful about their own lives rather than listening to false teachers they would not have needed so much correction by Paul.
7. Christian greetings
Paul desired to be as kind to the Corinthians as possible. He did not want to have to use sharpness, and he wanted them to live in peace and to try to be as close to God as possible. He prayed that God's love, the grace of Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit might be with them.

I.	Memorizing These verses may be a little hard to understand, but memorize them and try to think what Paul meant when he wrote them. Also, think about how they apply to us today.
II.	Answering questions Read II Cor. 12-13 and then answer these questions.
	1.	What had happened to Paul about fourteen years before?
	2.	What did he say about the things which he saw and heard?
	3.	Why was the "thorn in the flesh" given to Paul?
	4.	How many times did Paul pray God to remove the thorn?
	5.	Why wouldn't God remove it?
	6.	What did God mean when he said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee?"
	7.	To what did Paul refer in order to prove that he was an apostle?
	8.	Paul sent two men to visit the Corinthians. Who were they?
	9.	Name some things which Paul did not want to find among the Corinthians if he should come to them.
	10.	Whose power would Paul manifest if he should come to them again?
	11.	For what reason did Paul tell the Corinthians to examine themselves?
	12.	When Paul told them farewell in his letter, how did he say they should act?
	13.	What three things did Paul say he wanted to be with them?
III.	True-False Be sure that you study all of the scriptures and your lesson well before you attempt to check these statements. Place a check mark before the ones which are true.
	1.	Paul was caught up to the third heaven one time.
	2.	This was the only vision or revelation that Paul ever had of the Lord.
	3.	While he was caught up in this vision the Lord told him to write about everything which he had seen.
	4.	Paul said that he heard unspeakable words which he was not allowed to utter, or make known.
	5.	In order to keep Paul from being exalted in his own eyes too much, the Lord place a thorn in his flesh.
	6.	This thorn in the flesh would remind him that he was dependent upon God, and so would be kept humble.
	7.	Paul told us what the thorn in the flesh was, but most people forget what it was.
	8.	Paul prayed to the Lord four times to have it removed.
	9.	We do not know what Paul's thorn in the flesh was, for he did not tell us.
	10.	Paul rejoiced in his affliction because he knew that Christ would take care of him.
	11.	The Christians in Corinth should have known that Paul was an apostle because he did the work of an apostle, with signs and miracles.
	12.	When Paul was in Corinth he asked them to pay him $100 a week or he would not preach for them.
	13.	Paul did not demand anything from the Corinthians, but other churches did support him. (See II Cor. 11:8)
	14.	Paul said that if he should come again to the Corinthians that he would not spare those who were in opposition to him and the truth.
	15.	He said that each one of them should examine himself to see if he were in the faith.
IV.	Thought problems These problems should show us that people have problems today just as did the Corinthians. Thinking together will help us solve them.
	1.	Can one preach Christ today, even though he has not seen Jesus?
	2.	How does he get his information?
	3.	Do you think small congregations, which do not have much money, should try to support someone to preach the gospel? Give reasons for your answer.

THE LIFE THAT COUNTS
The life that counts must toil and fight;
But hate the wrong and love the right;
Must stand for truth by day and night;
This is the life that counts.
The life that counts must aim to rise
Above the earth to sunlit skies;
Must fix its gaze on Paradise
That is the life that counts.
The life that counts much helpful be;
In darkest night make melody;
Must wait the dawn on bended knee -
That is the life that counts.
The life that counts must helpful be;
The cares and needs of others see;
Must seek the slaves of sin to free -
This is the life that counts.

THE LETTERS TO THE CORINTHIANS
Corinth was a Roman city which had been rebuilt about fifty years before Christ came, and that it was an important trade center. People had come to Corinth from all over the world and that it was a very wicked city. They had brought their various ideas of religion with them and worshipped many different kinds of gods.

The first letter was quite plain and outspoken because Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to correct the evil in the church there. He received a report from Titus which was very encouraging to him for he was informed that the Corinthians had received the letter in the right kind of spirit and that they made the corrections which he had directed them to make.

In the second letter he told him of his rejoicing over their obedience, and of his confidence in them. There are other matters about which they needed to be informed and he gave more instruction in the second letter. It is supposed that this second letter was written from Macedonia about 58 A.D., shortly after he had received the report from Titus.

GALATIA
If you look on a map for this period of Bible history you will see that the Roman province of Galatia was in the western part of what we call Asia Minor. It had been settled by people who had come from Gaul (the region of France), and had been known as Galatia for three hundred years before Christ came. It has been said that these people were quite easily moved from one thing to another. This means that they would believe one person and the things which he taught, but when someone else came to them, they would be easily persuaded to turn from that teaching to something else. Of course, one ought to be willing to leave something which is wrong and turn to what is right, but when one has taken time to learn the truth he ought to have strength of character to remain true to it when someone comes with another teaching.

PAUL'S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS
Paul had been in Galatia and had preached the gospel to them. But after he had gone elsewhere some teachers, who claimed that Christians had to keep the Law of Moses, came into Galatia and tried to persuade the Christians there that they should be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. When Paul was informed about this he wrote the letter in order to show them that they were no longer to observe the Law of Moses but that they were to listen to Christ instead.

As you read the letter to the Galatians, you will note that the letter was not addressed to one church or to one individual but that it was a general letter addressed to the churches in that province, Galatia. In it Paul explained that the Law of Moses served its purpose in bringing the people to Christ, but that when Christ had come, then no one was under that Law any longer. From our studies of the Old Testament we have learned that this Law of Moses was given only to the children of Israel and that it never applied to anyone else. Christ came through the family of Abraham, that is, through the Jewish line, and when Christ had come the purpose of the Law had been fulfilled. Christ is the seed of Abraham, as Paul explained in this letter, and in Christ everyone is to be blessed, not through the Law.

One lesson that we should learn as we study the letter to the Galatians is that Christ is the Savior, and no one needs any other Savior. In Him each one may have the forgiveness of his sins and receive all the blessings which are possible to be received from God, the Father. We ought not listen to anyone else, but only to Jesus for full directions as to how to live a Christian life.

Another important point that each one should notice is that each individual will have rewards according to the way he lives. As one "sows" so shall he also "reap". Each one of us ought to resolve to live a righteous life in order that God will be pleased.
Answer all these questions from the information given above.
1. Which Bible letters are the subject of the information above?
2. Who wrote these letters?
3. Why did Paul write II Corinthians?
4. Why did he write Galatians?
5. Where was Corinth?
6. Where was Galatia?
7. Should one be fickle minded, that is, easily persuaded to turn from one belief to another? Why?
8. What were some false teachers trying to persuade the Galatians to do?
9. To whom was the letter to the Galatians addressed?
10. What will determine the harvest for each individual?

HOW TO STUDY

Not every one knows how to study and for that reason some waste a lot of time and still do not learn as much as they should. As you begin to study Bible lessons you will need a copy of the Bible, study aids, paper and pencil/pen. This is all you need, though if you have a Bible dictionary you may look up a lot of information about towns, countries and persons, which is very interesting.

You should have a certain time to study your Bible. If you will keep your Bible and your study aids at one place at home and have a definite time to study, and read and study some each day, you will always have a good lesson and learn much more than if you wait until the last minute to try to get into a lesson.

Verses are more easily memorized if reviewed every day for a week. By the end of the week you should be able to say the verse without hesitation. It is wise to memorize the book, chapter and verse with the words in order that you may be able to know where the passage is. There are so many people who cannot find the place where a certain verse is in the Bible, that we all ought to give special attention to this work. We will know for ourselves and may be able to help someone else find a place for which they are looking.

To review previous areas of the Bible that you have studied will help you not to forget the lessons.
1. What will you need to prepare for studying your Bible?
2. What else would be of benefit?
3. Do you have a certain time to study? When?
4. Why should one study some each day?
5. Why should one memorize verses?
6. Give some reasons why one should learn the chapter and verse.
7. Why should one review previously learned memory verses and previous lessons?
8. Why should one have a certain place to keep his Bible and study aids at home?
9. How can you interest someone else to study the Bible?

JESUS' BLOOD AND THE CHURCH
Memory verse: (Eph. 2:13).
Purpose: To see how the cleansing brought by Jesus' blood inspired and motivated the early church.
Readings: (Heb. 9:11-22; Eph. 5:1-2; Heb. 7:26-28; Heb. 10:10-18; Eph. 2:13-18; Col. 1:18-23; Col. 2:13-15).
Introduction
We marvel at the dedication and fervor of the first-century church. It is almost beyond our comprehension to consider its sacrifices (Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:34-35; Acts 7:59-60; Acts 20:22-24). The members' loyalty to Christ and His church stand as an example for all who lived after them.

What motivated these people to live and act as they did? Because we share the same truth of the Gospel, we can reproduce some of their works if we can find their motivations. The purpose of this quarter's study is to go behind the actions of the first-century church to find its motivation for serving God.

One motivation was gratitude. This was common in Jews and Greeks. The Jews were delivered from the burdensome yoke of the Law to the easy yoke of Jesus (Matt. 11:28-30; Acts 15:7-10). The Gentiles, on the other hand, could know the blessing of being God's adopted children. In them, God's promise to Abraham was finally fulfilled (Rom. 8:15-17; Gal. 3:7-8).

For the first time, both Jews and Gentiles could know freedom from sin. They finally could know an assurance that their sins were totally taken away by Jesus' blood (Heb. 10:1-2; I John 1:7). This gratitude motivated them to the highest ideals of service and sacrifice.

We often sing about the "power in the blood," but perhaps we do not fully appreciate the meaning and impact of Jesus' sacrifice. Blood played a central role in God's scheme of redemption from the beginning of time. Although shed centuries ago, Jesus' blood is still absolutely necessary to our spiritual lives.
Redemption by His blood (Heb. 9:13-15)
A major theme of Hebrews is the superiority of Christ. He is shown to be superior to angels (Heb. 1:4-5). His priesthood is superior to all priests, even Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6-10; Heb. 7:1-10). In Heb. 9, Christ's tabernacle is shown to be superior to the Law of Moses. His was not made with hands, and His sacrifice is superior because it obtained our eternal redemption (Heb. 9:11-12).

This theme continues by showing the superiority of the sanctification brought by Jesus' blood. Under the law of Moses, there was a measure of sanctification. For example, the blood of animals brought sanctification from various types of uncleanness. The ashes of a heifer were used to purify people who had touched a dead person (Num. 19:9-12).

This cleansing was limited. It could only cleanse the physical person and not the spiritual. Jesus, through the shedding of His blood, is able to bring us a clean conscience. This cleansing brings us an assurance and conviction with which we are able to serve the living God fully.

By His death, He brought into force a new covenant. It is new because it is unlike any covenant ever seen before. The Law of Moses was powerless to provide eternal redemption. The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin (Heb. 10:4). Each year, the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement reminded the Jews that they were still sinners (Heb. 10:3). Only with Christ's sacrifice can one find complete forgiveness (Heb. 8:12; Heb. 10:16-18).
Reconciliation by His blood (Eph. 2:13-18)
Jesus' reconciliation of Jew and Gentile to each other and to God has been called the "greatest triumph of the gospel." Paul used two familiar expressions to emphasize that awesome nature of this event.

He wrote about "people far off" as being "brought near" (Eph. 2:13). This was an expression used for proselytes who had adopted Judaism and were accepted by the synagogue. Those who were not of that group were spoken about as being far off. Because of Jesus' blood, all people now can be brought near. Because of Him, people who were dead in sin were made alive with Christ and were made part of Him (Eph. 2:1-2, 5-6).

Paul also used the figure of the wall of separation. The courtyard of the temple of Jerusalem was divided into several areas. Between the court of the Gentiles, located farthermost from the temple, and the other areas was a wall. The inscription on the wall said, "Let no one of any other nation come within...the border around the Holy Place. Whosoever shall be taken doing so will himself be responsible for the fact that his death shall ensue."

Jesus' blood established a new covenant that removed all division between Jews and Gentiles. His blood broke down this symbolic wall. Jesus did this by abolishing the law of commandments. Some people see this as referring to the ceremonial part of the Mosaic Law. Most Gentiles could not see what difference such ceremonies made. This part of the Law was abolished by Jesus' death (Heb. 9:15-16).

However, it was not just the ceremonial part of the Law that Jesus' death abolished. Any distinction between ceremonial and legal parts is man-made. All God's covenant with Israel, including the Ten Commandments, was His law (I Kings 8:9, 21; Luke 2:22-23, 39; Rom. 7:4).

Jesus' death destroyed any distinction between Jew and Gentile, allowing all to be one in Him. His blood not only provided forgiveness but also took away the enmity between the races. All men in Him are in His one body, the church (Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:4). All Christians - no matter what nation, race or ethnic group - are made brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Because the enmity or hatred between the races is abolished, peace is the result. Christ's role in this is so great that He is spoken of as our peace (Eph. 2:14). He is the Prince of Peace and calls us to be peacemakers (Luke 2:14; Matt. 5:9). His legacy to His followers is His peace, which the world cannot take away (John 14:27).

Paul used another distinctive word to describe a blessing found in Christ: "access". We have access to God because of Jesus' blood and the peace it offers. "Access" is used only two other times in the New Testament (Rom. 5:2; Eph. 3:12). In ancient times, this word signified the freedom to approach the king. In the New Testament, it signifies our freedom to approach God.

In Romans, the other of "peace" and "access" is the same as it is in our text. Only people at peace with God have any right to approach Him. Paul amplified this meaning by showing that because of Jesus and our relationship with Him, we not only can approach God but also can do so with boldness (Eph. 3:12). By following the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit, all God's children enjoy this privilege.
Forgiveness by His blood (Col. 2:13-15)
Paul's writings graphically demonstrates the difference between the Colossians' old life and the new. It was the difference between being dead and being alive. Earlier he called their old life "darkness" (Col. 1:13). In Christ we are alive and the difference between the old and the new life is forgiveness of sins. Only when living by faith and seeing the unseen can one truly understand that life in Christ is life indeed (II Cor. 4:18; II Cor. 5:7; John 10:10; I Thes. 3:8).

This new life comes to us because of the results of Jesus' death. His death removed the handwriting of requirements. In Paul's day, the handwriting of ordinances was a list of debts owed by a person. The phrase "wiped out" in the Greek text is the same as taking a damp cloth and wiping a board clean. No trace of any marks remain. Christ's death on the cross provided forgiveness, taking away the debt of sin we never could pay by ourselves.

Yet his death did more than this. Jesus' death gave us opportunity for the forgiveness of sins and removed a cause of sin. This was the requirement of the Law of Moses (Rom. 7:5-8). Christ's death, however, did not remove all law from our lives. Although Jesus' system is one of grace, He still has laws for us to obey (Rom. 6:14; Gal. 6:2).

Although the principles of the Old Testament are valid to provide instruction for moral behavior, the Law of Moses was nailed to the cross. Jesus abolished the Law as a means of salvation. One cannot be saved just by keeping the Old Testament laws. In like manner, one cannot be saved by the principle of law keeping. This principle is that one can be saved by never violating any of God's laws. Because this is impossible, one can be saved by obedience to God's grace (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9).
Conclusion
All God's blessings to Christians today stem from Jesus' blood shed at Calvary. Apart from His blood, one cannot be saved. His death provides us forgiveness from sins, and it brings us a clear conscience and a reconciliation with all who also believe in Him.
Practical observations
(1) Jesus brings us into a state of peace with God (Rom. 5:1). The peace He brings to our hearts must demonstrate itself in our relations with other people in the Lord. If we cannot live at peace with them, how can we have peace with God?
(2) How vital Christ's sacrifice is for us! God became man to die for our redemption. He willingly died while having the power to prevent this (Matt. 26:53). His death was so effective that it cleansed all the righteous who lived before and after His death (Heb. 9:15). It was so complete that He died only once and that this sacrifice need never be repeated. Thanks be to God for His incredible gift (II Cor. 9:15).
(3) Jesus' death was a staggering blow to Satan (Gen. 3:15). Jesus took from him the sting of death and removed its fear from us. He effectively disarmed Satan, making him a public spectacle. Viewing Satan like this, how could anyone willingly serve him? Satan's only power over us comes when we submit to him instead of to Jesus (Rom. 6:16).
Questions
1. What was the primary motivation for the devotion of the early church?
2. What did those new Christians know for the first time?
3. How does Hebrews prove the superiority of Jesus?
4. What kind of cleansing did Old Testament laws provide?
5. What is the meaning of "far off", as used in Eph. 2?
6. What did the wall in the temple symbolize?
7. What was the effect of Jesus' death on the Law of Moses?
8. What did Jesus' blood provide?
9. What is the significance of the order of "peace" and "access" in the New Testament?
10. What did Jesus' death abolish?
More queries
1. Identify and discuss proper and improper motives for serving God.
2. What is the difference between salvation under the Law of Moses and salvation under the law of Christ?
3. Of what value is the Old Testament today?
[from Gospel Advocate, 1996, p. 1-6]

By doing these things, you will reach a full rewarding life.
There is a wonderful mystical law of nature that the three things we crave most in live - happiness, freedom, and peace of mind - are always attained by giving them to someone else.
When we give of ourselves, which is of far more value than our possessions, we are giving the greatest gift of all. This is nobility that is of the divine.
He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

Do more than exist...live.
Do more than touch...feel.
Do more than look...observe.
Do more than read...absorb.
Do more than hear...listen.
Do more than listen...understand.
Do more than think...ponder.
Do more than talk...say something.
[by John H. Rhoades, an investment banker]

RULES FOR DAILY LIVING
To talk with God each morning before I walk.
To do my daily duties with sunshine on my face.
To be strong in the presence of temptation, awake in the presence of opportunity, open-hearted to my neighbors, open minded to view of the truth, obedient to the voice of God.
To make duty a joy, and work a duty.
To be true to myself, false to no one, and earnest to make a real life while trying to make a living.
To cherish friendship and guard my confidence.
To be loyal to principle even at the loss of popularity.
To make no promise I do not mean to keep.
[from The Light, Arlington, McMinnville, Tenn., vol. 3, no. 3, Jan. 15, 1978, p. 3]

Coming together is a privilege,
Keeping together is progress,
Thinking together is unity,
Working together is success.
[from The Informer, Vero Beach, Fla., vol. 4, no. 20, May 17, 1972, p. 2]

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