Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 49

"The love of G.o.d is shed abroad in our hearts _by the Holy Ghost_ which is given unto us." Rom. 5:5.

5. What is love declared to be?

"And above all these things put on love, which is the _bond of perfectness_." Col. 3:14, R. V.

6. By what does genuine faith work?

"For in Jesus Christ neither circ.u.mcision availeth anything, nor uncirc.u.mcision; but _faith which worketh by love_." Gal. 5:6.

7. What does love do?

"Hatred stirreth up strifes: but _love covereth all sins_." Prov. 10:12.

"Have fervent charity among yourselves: for _charity shall cover the mult.i.tude of sins_." 1 Peter 4:8.

8. Of what does the kingdom of G.o.d consist?

"For the kingdom of G.o.d is not meat and drink; but _righteousness_, and _peace_, and _joy_ in the Holy Ghost." Rom. 14:17.

NOTE.-It is the Christian's privilege to have righteousness, peace, and joy,-a righteousness which is of G.o.d by faith (Rom.

3:21, 22); a peace that pa.s.seth understanding (Phil. 4:7), which the world can neither give nor take away; and a joy that rejoices evermore (1 Thess. 5:16; Phil. 4:4).

9. In what way does love manifest itself?

"Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil." 1 Cor. 13:4, 5, R. V.

10. What does G.o.d's gentleness do for us?

"Thy gentleness hath _made me great_." Ps. 18:35.

11. What spirit should we show toward others?

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but _be gentle unto all men_." 2 Tim. 2:24.

12. What does the goodness of G.o.d do?

"Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that _the goodness of G.o.d leadeth thee to repentance_?" Rom. 2:4.

13. How should we treat those who have wronged us?

"Dearly beloved, _avenge not yourselves_, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore _if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head_." Rom. 12:19, 20.

14. How does faith determine our standing with G.o.d?

"But _without faith it is impossible to please Him_: for he that cometh to G.o.d must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6.

15. How does G.o.d regard the meek and quiet spirit?

"Whose adorning ... let it be the hidden man of the heart, ... even the ornament of _a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of G.o.d of great price_." 1 Peter 3:3, 4.

16. In our Christian growth and experience, what is to accompany faith, courage, and knowledge?

"Add to your faith virtue [courage]; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge _temperance_." 2 Peter 1:5, 6.

NOTE.-One of the briefest and best definitions of temperance is _self-control_. The word in the text means much more than mere abstinence from intoxicating drinks,-the limited sense now frequently given to it. It means control, strength, power, or ascendency over exciting and evil pa.s.sions of all kinds. It denotes the self-rule which the overcomer or converted man has over the evil propensities of his nature. Commenting on this pa.s.sage, Dr. Albert Barnes says: "The influences of the Holy Spirit on the heart make a man _moderate_ in all indulgences; teach him to restrain his pa.s.sions, and to govern himself."

17. How highly is he commended who controls his spirit?

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and _he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city_." Prov. 16:32.

18. What is said of all these different virtues?

"Against such there is no law." Gal. 5:23, last clause.

NOTE.-The law condemns sin. But all these things, being virtues, are in harmony with the law. They are produced by the Spirit; and the law, which is spiritual, cannot, therefore, condemn them.

19. From what condemnation does Spirit-leading save us?

"But if ye be led of the Spirit, _ye are not under the law_." Verse 18.

20. To what unity are Christians exhorted?

"Endeavoring to keep _the unity of the Spirit_ in the bond of peace." Eph.

4:3.

Spirit of life, and light, and love, Thy heavenly influence give; Quicken our souls, our guilt remove, That we in Christ may live.

His love within us shed abroad, Life's ever-springing well; Till G.o.d in us, and we in G.o.d, In love eternal dwell.

THOMAS HAWEIS.

Gifts Of The Spirit

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Healing The Leper. "He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."

Eph. 4:8.