GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES.
Ver. 27. Christian Consistency.
I. The apostle pleaded for a consistent Christian Church.—1. The Christian life must be characterised by truthfulness. 2. By love. 3. By purity.
II. The apostle pleaded for a united Christian Church.—1. This union was necessary to resist their common adversaries. 2. To develop their Christian graces. 3. To establish the true faith.
III. The apostle pleaded for a zealous Christian Church.—1. This zeal demanded for a noble object. “The faith of the gospel.” 2. To be exercised in a commendable manner. “Striving together.”—J. T. Woodhouse.
Evangelical Consistency.
I. What that conduct is which becomes the Gospel.—1. It must be the genuine result of Gospel dispositions. 2. It must be maintained under the influence of Gospel principles and in the use of Gospel ordinances. 3. It must resemble Gospel patterns. 4. It must be conformable to Gospel precepts.
II. What obligations are we under to maintain this conduct.—1. God requires us to conduct ourselves according to the Gospel. 2. Consistency requires it. 3. Our personal comfort requires it. 4. Our connection with society requires it. 5. Our final salvation requires it.
Lessons.—1. How excellent is the Christian religion. 2. How illiberal and unreasonable is the conduct of those who censure Christianity on account of the unworthy actions of its inconsistent professors.—R. Treffry.
The Effects of the Gospel upon those who receive it.