Sunday, January 25, 2009

Self-control

Monday, January 26, 2009: Acts 24:25
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Why was Felix not interested in further conversation? Self-control is a trait of one who masters his sensual desires and passions. Felix was convicted in his heart.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009: Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

What does the fruit of the Holy Spirit have to do with so personal and inward quality as self-control? One of the results of the Holy Spirit working in our life is having power over selfish desires.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009: Titus 1:7–9
For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Why does an overseer need to be self-controlled? Power is only useful in a temperate person: otherwise it is misused.

Thursday, January 29, 2009: 2 Peter 1:5–7
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Why is self-control a central addition in going from faith to love? Restraint is an essential ingredient of dealing with fellow humans.

Friday, January 30, 2009: Galatians 3:5–6
Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

The words ‘supply’ and ‘add’ (in Thursdays’ selection) come from the same Greek word. What does it imply? It implies stock up or add on top of.

No comments: