Building character

Rom 5:1-5

5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we [1] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith [2] into this grace in which we stand, and we [3] rejoice [4] in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
[3] 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
[4] 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

• How frequently do you rejoice because of your troubles?
  
• Which would you most commonly want: Christian growth or comfort?
  
• How do troubles and tribulations result in perseverance and endurance?
  
• How does perseverance and endurance in result in proven character?
  
• How does proven character result in hope?
  
• How often do your hopes disappoint?
  
• What is different about this hope?
  
• Why is hope at the beginning and the end of the list?
  
• What does it take to endure life?
  
• What do you have that non-Christians do not?

Justified by faith

Rom 4:23-5:2

23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we [1] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith [2] into this grace in which we stand, and we [3] rejoice [4] in hope of the glory of God.

Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
[3] 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
[4] 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

• Why was Jesus delivered up?
  
• Why was Jesus raised?
  
• How does our justification symbolized by Jesus' resurrection?
  
• What was the result of your justification by faith? How important is this to you?
  
• How and through whom where you introduced into grace?
  
• How frequently do you hope in the glory of God? What does this mean to you?
  
• How does your hope in God's glory relate to the faith by which you are justified?

Peace rules

Col. 3:15

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

• How much do you want peace in your life?
  
• What things take away your peace?
  
• In what areas do you give or throw away your peace?
  
• How is the peace of Christ different from the peace you desire?
  
• How would letting the peace of Christ rule your heart result in overall peace?
  
• How would wearing the qualities in v. 12-14 help you have peace?

Nothing new

Eccles. 1:9-11

9 What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there a thing of which it is said,
“See, this is new”?
It has been already
in the ages before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things, [1]
nor will there be any remembrance
of later things [2] yet to be
among those who come after.

Footnotes
[1] 1:11 Or former people
[2] 1:11 Or later people

• How important is newness to you?
  
• What is the most common reason you want to replace something with its newer counterpart?
  
• How often do you want the newest version of whatever interests you?
  
• How does newness influence satisfaction?
  
• How important is novelty to you?
  
• How often do you seek out things you have not seen, tasted, felt or otherwise experienced?
  
• Why might being overly interested in novelty be risky spiritually?
  
• How many of today's cultural fads are truly new?
  
• How many of today's spiritual fads are truly new?
  
• What problems arise from focusing on newness?
  
• How often do people look at what happened to other fads before committing to the new one?
  
• How well do you learn from your past experiences?
  
• How well do you learn from the past experiences of others?
  
• How many new discoveries are more than just uncovering what God put there in the beginning?
  
• How many inventions are more than replicating something God put here in the beginning?
  
• When is man's God-given creativity a problem?
  
• Why does man want to move from copying or understanding God's work to being Creator?
  

Can't get no satisfaction

Eccles. 1:5-8

5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down,
and hastens [1] to the place where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south
and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind,
and on its circuits the wind returns.
7 All streams run to the sea,
but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow,
there they flow again.
8 All things are full of weariness;
a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.

Footnotes
[1] 1:5 Or and returns panting

• How many times have you said, "If I could just do/finish [fill in blank]"?
• What are you implying about satisfaction by your statement?
• How many times has the task been truly finished?
• How are the internal demands for time and energy like the sun rising or the wind blowing?
• How are the external demands for time and energy like the sun rising or the wind blowing?
• How many times have you said, "If I could just get/have [fill in blank]"?
• What are you implying about satisfaction by your statement?
• How many times have you been truly satisfied with your want?
• How much are you like the ocean?
• What song have you liked so much you wanted to hear it almost all the time?
• How often do you want to hear it now?
• What recipe have you liked so much that you wanted to eat it at every meal?
• How long did it take before you didn't want it for every meal?
• How often do you feel weary, not tired but weary?
• How is being weary different from being tired?
• What is your most common cause of weariness?
• Why are the things under the sun, the things of this world so appealing?
• How much satisfaction do the things under the sun provide?
• Where are you trying to find satisfaction?

What True Wisdom Looks Like

James 3:13-18

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

• Which "wisdom" in this passage would you want to ask God for?
• What is likely in the heart of a "know-it-all" person?
  
• How often do you struggle with jealousy and selfish ambition?
  
• What is society's opinion of jealousy and selfish ambition?
  
• What is God's opinion of jealousy and selfish ambition?
  
• What does the wisdom from above sound like to you? (Gal 5:22-23)
  
• What appears necessary to have peace?

Harold's Musings:
Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition is demonic and unspiritual. Wow! What a condemning statement about the culture we swim in. I mean, isn't it just smart to try to get ahead, even at the expense of my fellow worker? As I reflect, I think that phrase, "isn't it just smart", should be a warning siren that what comes next probably is not God's wisdom. The world around us considers it dumb to be merciful, peaceable, and gentle. The person striving to get ahead is always striving and that is not peaceful. The world's wisdom cannot compare to God's wisdom (1 Co. 1:20-24) so why do we seek it over God's wisdom. Sorta shows we are not wise, huh?

Salty speech

Mark 9:49-50

49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Colossians 4:6

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

• What is salt valuable for?
• How does salt lose its saltiness?
• What does it mean to have salt in you?
• How does salt relate to peace with each other?
• What does gracious, seasoned speech sound like?
  

Harold's Musings:
Salt-free potato chips, blah! Scrambled eggs without salt, blah! Some foods are just unpalatable to me without salt. Have I forced down the above mentioned foods? Yes, but I did not enjoy them. On the other hand, we were at a fast-food restaurant and the cheeseburgers we were served were so salty that we could not eat them. The amount of salt used determines how good the food tastes. So it is with what we say. We are not called to be bland and unpalatable. Nor are we called to be as salty as the Dead Sea. Our words should bring peace not arguments. Our words should bring salvation, but carefully and graciously seasoned. Listen today and see how your speech tastes to others.

Peacemaker

Matthew 5:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

• How would you describe a peacemaker?
  
• How likely is an angry person also a peacemaker?
• What types of peace is this passage talking about?
• Are children of God required to be peacemakers? Why or why not?

Harold's Musings:
A friend at church told me of an experience where he approached a protester in front of an abortion clinic. He does not believe in abortion. He and his wife have been active in adoption programs and have adopted and fostered children, as well as helping in a number of youth programs. He asked the woman if she had adopted any children. She sputtered an offended No. He asked if she had fostered children, receiving the same offended No. He kept asking questions to determine what she had actually done to address the problem, even to just baby sitting a child so a single mom can get out of the house. All the answers were No. He told her she should throw away her sign and go home. It is so easy to be angry and protest. It is much more challenging to look for ways to make peace. It is easier to complaint than to do your part in solving the problems. How much peace have you made lately?

Peace in Christ

John 16:33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

• What is your expectation for peace in the world?
• While spoken to the apostles, do you think this is restricted to the apostles? Explain.
• Where is peace found?
• How does Christ's overcoming the world encourage you?

Harold's Musings:
We sometimes seem surprised that we have troubles. To hear some speakers or read their words, if you have troubles it is because of sin. They seem to proclaim the opposite of what Christ stated. This states one of the blessings found in Christ: peace. Peace in knowing that whatever the world throws at you, Christ has overcome the world. Peace does not mean happy all the time. Peace does not mean laughing when tragedy strikes. Peace is knowing that regardless of the outcome of the trouble you are in Christ and he is greater than the world.

Peace of Christ

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

• Where does the peace of Christ come from?
• When Jesus talks about the world here, is he talking about the world's peace or the world's giving?
• What troubles your heart most frequently?
• What causes you to be afraid most frequently?
• How does the peace of Christ rule your fears and troubles?

Harold's Musings:
Sounds good, doesn't it? Peace. Jesus states that he is leaving peace behind and he is giving it to his followers. Like I said, it sounds good. It is good, but it may not be what I think it is. Jesus states that I have to deal with the troubled and afraid heart. He promises peace, real peace, permanent peace, eternal peace. My human nature wants peace here and now. I want to be untroubled and unafraid now and without effort. Peace is not found in a bottle or pill. Peace is found in our hope of eternal life. When I focus on the waiting inheritance and not on the stuff of the here and now, I can have peace.

Ruled by Peace

Colossians 3:15

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

• What does peace mean to you?
• What is the peace of Christ?
• Compare the peace of Christ with your idea of peace?
• What does it mean for something to rule you?
• How does this rule impact the church?

Harold's Musings:
This verse popped out yesterday. I started thinking about what it would be like to be totally at peace. No stress at work. No stress at home or church. No stress from struggling against self. At first it seemed so appealing. Then I realized that it would be boring. As humans we seem to look for stress and struggles. People all over the world are sports fans and they thrive on the competition, which is not peaceful. The peace of Christ is something special. Recently I had an experience where I had to prepare a plan for work. It took me some time to form it in my mind but I was not at peace with it. I showed it to my fellow workers who thought it was good. I was still uneasy. I finally showed it to my president, who not only agreed with it but actively discussed it and added his thoughts to the overall plan. I left that meeting at peace. Are your daily plans in line with what Christ would want? Are your relationships with others ruled by the peace and mercy you receive from God through Christ? Do you know that you can have the full backing of Heaven itself if you and Christ agree on your plans to do His will? Peace Out!

Forgiveness is Core

Colossians 3:12-15

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

• What is the reason for putting on these qualities?
• How do the various qualities listed here connect to forgiveness?
• What is supposed to rule your heart?
• What are the consequences of not having these qualities?

Harold's Musings:
You are God's set apart and loved people. You are expected to be transformed into His image and this is a list of "garments" to put on. You are expected to exhibit these qualities as your qualities. This is important. Your attitudes (and that is what most of the list is) are yours to put into action. You cannot control other people's actions, sins, and attitudes. You can only control your actions and attitudes. You will be hurt in this fallen world. You will likely hurt someone in this fallen world. Your goal should be to be like Jesus, to forgive even when people are intentionally hurting you, to love people even when they are not so lovable. Go through your life desiring to be ruled by the peace of Christ, not the anger and upset of your selfish nature. Folks, please understand: I do not have this in place yet. I am striving and struggling. But God's Message is clear whether the messenger is worthy or not.

Worry is Dangerous

Philip. 4:6-7

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Why do you guard things? What do the things you guard have in
  common?
• What does anxiety do to your heart and mind?
• How does thanksgiving influence our worry-related prayers?
• Where in life do you turn to God?
• after your plans fall apart
• when all is lost
• when you can do no more on your own
• after you have given it your best shot and failed
• before the plans, during the worry, after the peace comes

Harold's Musings:
I can quote this passage, but I continually struggle to do it. Pride, American self-reliance, whatever the "reason", it is still a struggle. While I see the command in verse 6, the motivation for me is in verse 7. My worry puts my heart and mind at risk. I think about the previous post where worry is mentioned immediately before the devil roaming to find someone to devour. When worry is strong enough, I (perhaps you also) turn to something for comfort. Too often it is not God. The key to this seems to be pray about the little things all day long. Pray about things that I truly can take care of on my on. Let praying about the little worries build up a coating on my heart and mind, layer after layer after layer. Then when the big struggle hits... No worries, mate. :-)

Teach, not quarrel

2 Tim 2:22-26

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

• According to this passage, how is a Christian supposed to respond when challenged about their belief in Christ?
  
• How is correcting with gentleness different from winning an argument?
• Who has the power to change the heart of your "opponent"?
• Who are you actually struggling against when you are being opposed?
  
• What sort of foolish controversies have you seen cause discord in the church?
• How can a person pursue peace and controversy at the same time?
• How do you feel when you win an argument? When you lose?
• Are the challenges you think you face more about Christ or matters of opinion?

Harold's Musings:
Yet another passage that I don't remember being taught when I was growing up. I grew up in a time and place where debates were prized and defending the faith meant winning the argument even if the loser was hurt in the process. How many churches have been split over foolish controversies? God only knows. As I study God's Word I find new (to me) insights and possible ways to change. When I tell someone what I found and they disagree with my view, deep within me is an ego that wants to prove I am right. Those feelings have little to do with peace, kindness, gentleness, and love. They are about self. Why do I keep bringing up these difficult passages? Maybe so I will do better.

Rejoicing in hope

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

• What does this passage say we are to hope in?
  
• Why would it be your hope?
  
• What are we to exult or rejoice in?
  
• How is hope developed?
  
• Why is this progression necessary to develop this type of hope?
  
• How often do you find disappointment in the things you hope in?
  
• Why might you be ashamed when what you put you hope in fails?
  
• What percent of the time are your eyes fixed on the hope of eternity
  instead of the hope of tomorrow?
  

Comments
Imagine you decided to take all of your savings and invest it in a friend's "sure thing" investment. At first you probably feel good about your decision, maybe even proud of it. Time passes and the sure thing is revealed as a scam. Now what do you feel? In the same way we as humans put our hope in the physical here-and-now things of life. Someday we will find it was only a scam, or at best an unwise investment. How will we feel then?

For fun, re-read Rom 15:13 and see how the verses intertwine.

Overflowing Hope

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

• What does trusting God mean to you? How is it seen?
• What god do you put your hope in? How do you know what god it is?
  
• How frequently do you feel joy and peace when faced with life's challenges and problems?
• What does hope mean to you? Does you definition need the power of the Holy Spirit to overflow in your life?
• To what degree would you like to have joy and peace and overflow with hope? What changes do you need to make to do so?