1. Christians should never forget that faith without works is dead. It is not more important to believe what God has revealed, than to do what he has commanded. A faith therefore which does not produce love, kind- ness, sympathy, humility, the forgiveness of injuries, &c. can do us little good, vs. 9 — 21.
2. It is peculiarly characteristic of the spirit of the gospel that it turns the heart towards others, and away from our own interests. Self is not the Christian's centre ; men are loved because they are men. Christians because they are Christians ; the former with sincere sympathy and bene- volence, the latter with brotherly aflfection. The happiness and feelings of others, the gospel teaches us to consult in small, as well as in great matters, anticipating each other in all acts of kindness and attention, vs. 9—13.
3. The benevolence of the gospel is active and religious ; it leads to constant eflforts, and is imbued with a spirit of piety, v. 11.
4. We must remember that without Christ we can do nothing ; that it is not we that live, but Christ that liveth in us. If, therefore, we attemp to discharge the duties here enjoined apart from him, we shall be as a branch severed from the vine ; and unless we are " instant in prayer," this union with Christ cannot be kept up, v. 12.
5. Alms-giving and hospitality, in various ages of the church, have been unduly exalted, as though they were the whoie of benevolence, and the greater part of piety. While we should avoid this extreme, we should remember that we are stewards of God, and that ' Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, hath not the love of God dwelling in him,' v. 13. 1 John 3 : 17.
6. One of the most beautiful exhibitions of the character of our Saviou,