Nipate
Forum => Controversial => Topic started by: GeeMail on October 09, 2014, 02:27:51 PM
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http://www.absg.adventist.org/2014/4Q/TE/PDFs/ETQ414_02.pdf
Perfection
Read James 1:2–4. Notice the progression: faith, testing, patience,
perfection. James begins with faith because that is the foundation of
all true Christian experience. He then says we need trials to test the
genuineness of our faith. Lastly, James states that trials can teach us
perseverance, so that eventually we will not be caught by surprise and
be overcome by them. God’s goal for us is that we “may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4, NKJV).
The language could not be loftier. The word perfect (teleios) means spiritual maturity, while complete (holokleros) refers to wholeness in every way. Truly, we can
become so much more in the Lord if we would die to self and allow
Him to work in us “to will and to do of his good pleasure”
(Phil. 2:13).
Read
Ephesians 4:13 and Philippians 3:12–15. What attitude toward
“perfection” are Christians encouraged to have?
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Like Paul, followers of Christ will never be satisfied with anything
short of patterning their lives after the unselfish, sacrificial love of their
Master. But we will never feel as though we have “already attained” or
were “already perfected” (NJKV).
Notice, too, in the passages, the emphasis on the future. Paul is pointing toward what he has been promised in God through faith in Jesus.
There’s never a time in the Christian walk where we can say, “I have
arrived,” at least as far as character goes. (Have you ever noticed, too,
that those who say that they have “arrived” are generally obnoxious and
self-righteous?) We are like a work of art; we can always be improved
upon, and God promises to do just that as long as we press on in faith,
seeking to surrender to Him daily in trust and obedience.
If you died right now, would you be good enough to be saved? Or
if you had died two weeks after you had accepted Jesus, would
you have been good enough to be saved? Do you think in six
months you will be good enough? What does your answer tell you
about your need for the perfect robe of Christ’s righteousness,
regardless of whatever level of “perfection” you attain?
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http://www.absg.adventist.org/2014/4Q/TE/PDFs/ETQ414_02.pdf
Asking in Faith
Read
James 1:5, 6. How is wisdom different from knowledge? What
connection does James make between wisdom and faith?
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It may seem a bit odd that James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom.”
Who thinks he or she has enough wisdom to begin with? Solomon, for
instance, recognizing his need, humbly asked for “an understanding
heart to . . . discern between good and bad” (1 Kings 3:9).
Later, he wrote: “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
(Prov. 9:10).
We tend to think of wisdom as that which we know. How do the following texts, however, show us what another side of true wisdom is?
James 1:19–21; 2:15, 16; 3:13.
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Both Proverbs and James describe wisdom as something very practical: not
what we know but how we live.
For example, being “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19, NIV).
Plato said, “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they would like to say something.” In other words, we can have all the knowledge the world offers but lack true wisdom.
Of course, because God is the Source of all true wisdom, we gain wisdom most by
listening to Him—reading His Word and spending thoughtful time contemplating the life of Christ, “who became for us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:30, NKJV).
By learning to reflect the character of Christ in our own lives, we live out the truth as it is in Jesus. That is true wisdom.
Read James 1:6 again. We must ask in faith, not doubting. Isn’t that sometimes hard? Who doesn’t, at times, struggle with doubt? When that happens, what’s crucial is to pray and to start dwelling on all the reasons we have for faith: the story of Jesus, the prophecies in the Bible, and our own personal experiences.
How could doing this help us to work through whatever doubt might occasionally arise?
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Fiery trials and the dross
http://www.absg.adventist.org/2014/4Q/TE/PDFs/ETQ414_02.pdf
Further Study:
Ellen G. White, “The Sermon on the Mount,” pp. 298–314,
in The Desire of Ages.
“God would have his servants become acquainted with their own
hearts. In order to bring to them a true knowledge of their condition,
he permits the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be
purified. The trials of life are God’s workmen to remove the impurities,
infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit them for the
society of pure, heavenly angels in glory. Then as we pass through trial,
as the fire of affliction kindles upon us, shall we not keep our eyes fixed
upon the things that are unseen, on the eternal inheritance, the immortal
life, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory? [A]nd while
we do this, the fire will not consume us, but only remove the dross,
and we shall come forth seven times purified, bearing the impress of
the Divine.”—Ellen G. White, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,
April 10, 1894.
Discussion Questions:
What Bible characters do you find most encouraging in times
of suffering? Have you learned to find joy in trials? If so, share
with the class what has helped you to do this. At the same time, if
you haven’t been able to rejoice in your sufferings, talk about that
in class, as well (if you feel comfortable doing it).
Dwell more on this idea that true wisdom is not so much head
knowledge but what we do in faith through Christ. At the same
time, why does this not mean that head knowledge isn’t important? How can having, for instance, wrong doctrine be very detrimental to one’s walk with the Lord?
A young man had a friend who went through severe trials.
Although the young man found the trials painful to watch, he did
notice that his friend was growing in grace. When the trials were
over, his friend really had changed—and for the better! What
things have you learned from your trials that have been spiritually
beneficial to you? Ask yourself, Could I have learned them any
other way?
What can you say to someone who appears sincere in faith and
yet admits to being, at times, overcome with doubt? How can you
help?
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Suffering is a good thing negro, it humbles humanity and acknowledges the existence of Deity and proves our dependency thereof.