(6) Each one of us must give account of himself to God. Verses 10-12. It was shown (_b_) that we put a stumbling-block in the way of our weak brother by an undue insistence on our liberty (verses 14, 15), and that such insistence may itself become sin. 16-18. Finally it was shown (_c_) that we edify one another by following after things which make for peace (verse 19), and that it makes for peace sometimes to control our zeal. Verse 22. [Sidenote: Some Practical Hints] Of course it is almost vital to the best results of expository preaching that the people bring their Bibles to Church, and use them more or less in following their minister. Frequently it is desirable for them to read the text aloud with him responsively, or in unison. A little gentle coaxing at first, preceded by private prayer, will get them to do both these things, bring their Bibles and read the text, while afterwards they will delight to do them. It will cause church-going and sermon-hearing to become a new and living experience to them. Young and old will like it, and sinners as well as saints. But another almost necessity is to select a subject and treat it in such a way as to obviate as far as possible the turning over of the leaves or pages of the Bible during the progress of the exposition. The best plan is to limit the exposition, where you can, to the page or two just before the reader's eye. But if turning must be done, let it be on the principle of Edward Everett Hale's "Ten Times Ten" or "Lend-a-Hand" Society, _i.e._ forward and not backward. It is especially confusing and wearisome to a congregation to be turning pages backward, and then forward, and then backward again, and will not be relished as an innovation. Row with the tide. In the outline now to follow there are leaves to turn, for it covers a whole epistle. And yet with a single (and perhaps unnecessary) exception, there is progress in each division. The hearers are stimulated by the thought of getting on, and that there is an end in sight. It might be styled: _The Character of the New Born._ What kind of persons are those who are born again? We have only to turn to the First Epistle of John for the answer. Mark the words "born of him," or "born of God," which we have again and again in the epistle. We get seven characteristics of those who are begotten of God: 1. The people who are born of God are righteous. "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" (2:29). If I am not doing righteously, what evidence have I that I am born of Him? 2. Those born of God are an unsinning people. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" (2:9). Sin is not the habit of life of the one who has been born again. The trend of his life is not in the old paths of sin. 3. Those who are born of God are an abiding people. "His seed abideth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (3:9). 4. Those who are born of God are a loving people. "Every one that loveth is born of God" (4:7).