Prof Zebulon No E69
K) Christian Virtues (Diligence,
security and wisdom)
Diligence is: Applying energy and
concentration to assigned tasks. Relating all other learning around the truth of Scripture. Here are some questions that we can ask
ourselves to see if we are diligent. 1) When we evaluate our work, do we
anticipate that God will evaluate it? 2)
Do we study or work in order to honour the name and reputation of Christ? 3) Are we alert to details that indicate
mastery of what we are doing?
Security is: Freedom from danger, from fear
or anxiety, from want or deprivation. Learning to build affections around the person of Christ and His
eternal Word. Learning
to appreciate temporal possessions without making them the focus of our
delight. Here are some
questions: 1) Does our family see
evidence that we have lost our first love for the Lord? 2) Have we built our life around making
money?
Wisdom is: Accumulated philosophic or
scientific learning; ability to discern inner qualities; good sense. Learning to see from God’s perspective. Recognizing
cause-and-effect relationships in life.
Tracing conflicts to their root causes.
Learning to apply life principles in daily situations. Some questions: 1) Can we contrast God’s principles with natural
inclinations? 2) Do we know the commands
of Christ? 3) Are we aware that God is
watching every one of our words, thoughts, actions and attitudes? 4) Do we record the insights of wisdom that
God gives us? 5) Do we seek instruction
of wise men and reject the teachings of fools?
6) Are we slow to answer and swift to hear? The book of Proverbs is full of verses
relating to wisdom. “For the Lord givith wisdom; out of His mouth cometh
knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2 : 6).
R) Names of God
This is the first of several studies
that we will be doing on the names of God.
In this study, we will look at the name of JEHOVAH, a very
familiar name of God that we have come to use on a regular basis. But, in the original Hebrew text, it is
actually YHWH and it was so sacred that it was never pronounced; vowels were
added in the 12th century AD to read Yahweh. The meaning of this particular name is
significant in pointing out God’s lack of origin. Jehovah means “to be” or “to live” or
“self-existent” and it is a proper name, not a title. Strictly speaking, it is the only name of God
and we first encounter this name in Genesis 2 :
4. It is the name by which the
Patriarchs knew Him; Jehovah is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When Abraham built an altar, he built it
in the name of Jehovah : “…and there he built an
altar unto the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD” (Gen 12 :
8b). When Moses inquired by whose name
was he sent to deliver the Jews out of bondage, God replied :
“Thus thou shalt say to the children of