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1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

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transaction of ours they would realize that we are honest--even as the Lord understands all about it. Any othercourse is dangerous and is not "walking as in the day."--John 11:9.QUALITIES INJURIOUS TO THE BODY OF CHRISTThe translators of the Bible seemed to f<strong>org</strong>et that theEpistles were written "to the saints" (see dedication ofthe various Epistles), and not to the world; hence whenmentioning certain sins they used English words whichare applicable to the crimes of the most depraved classof people, instead of using such language as would properlyrepresent the misdemeanors that might be expectedamongst saints. In urging the Lord's people to avoidchambering and wantonness, etc., we are not to understandthe Apostle to mean the wickedness practised bythe most depraved and benighted of the children of theworld. Rather, we understand him to address the wordsto saints, urging them to continence in their social relations,that the thoughts of the Kingdom should lift theirminds to a large extent from the earthly affections.By the general rules of language St. Paul would notbegin his argument with the grosser sins and end with theR5098 : page 289less, but reversely he would conclude with the stronger,as evidently he does in enumerating the list of sins givenin verse 13 of our text. Here he concludes with theexhortation that the saints, in walking as in the day,should avoid strife and envy. The other difficultieswould be comparatively their own affair and might do noinjury to others. But strife and envy are two qualitiesthat indicate a wrong condition of heart on the part ofthe transgressor that would eventually bar him from theKingdom.Be it noted carefully that the various dispositionsmentioned in verse 13--rioting, drunkenness, chambering,wantonness, strife and envy--result from being intoxicatedwith the spirit of the world. Carelessness of life inany of the earthly affairs, and lack of self-restraint in theconnubial relationship are very liable to go hand in handwith a wrong spirit in the Church--a spirit of strife,contention, wilfulness, not submitting to the Divine Wordand providence, but on the contrary, arousing jealousyand ambition on behalf of self or others, for prominencein the Body.SOBRIETY COMMENDABLEWe yield to none in our opposition to intoxicating beveragesand in abhorrence of the terrible results whichthey entail. No saint should ever be intoxicated. TheWord of God says that no drunkard shall inherit theKingdom of God. (I Cor. 6:10.) The Scriptures do not

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