PRACTICAL VALUES OF THIS TRUTH

PRACTICAL VALUES OF THIS TRUTH

                   -It enables us to triumph in suffering because of the greatness of the coming Glory (Rom. 8:18). "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

                    Present suffering is the Father's way of getting us ready for the Glory (Heb. 12:10, 11). "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness." "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

                   -Should keep us from going back to the rudiments of the world (Gal. 4:7-11). "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." "Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods." "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years." "I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain."

- Couldn't free us from the bondage of law. Rudiments: law and legalism, with manifold rules.
"beggarly" - Couldn't give the inheritance of Sonship.

                   -Should keep us soberly watching for the great Day to which we belong. (1 Thess. 5:1-8, especially 5) "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you." "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." "For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night." "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

                   -Should break down all caste distinctions (Gal. 3:26-28). "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."