OUTLINE:

“Share what ‘the peaceful fruit of righteousness’ has meant in your life.”
7/19/18 Bible Study

“Love for others that don’t love me.”

“Contentment as an expression or manifestation of peace has resulted from obedience to, trust in, and increased faithfulness to His Word…contentment in all circumstances.”

“I find great peace in knowing that if I unapologetically present and stand up for Christ, everyone involved in a situation is better for it.”

“[The peaceful fruit of righteousness] transcends the burdens/pressures of the world.”

“There is something to be said for having a clear conscience as a result of being obedient.”

Pr 22:1 [Amplified]
A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; and favor is better than silver and gold.

A Good Name Is…
…not established by world standards and then impressed upon the Holy God of the Universe; rather, a good name is held in high esteem by its owner, in their heart, where fruit is the evidence of its existence. A good name begins with humility.

Jas 1:8
being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

A Good Name Is…
…not established by world standards and then impressed upon the Holy God of the Universe; rather, a good name is held in high esteem by its owner, in their heart, where fruit is the evidence of its existence. A good name begins with humility.

A good name is NOT an avatar.

The Christian Avatar
Arrogance is always looking for a discrepancy between that which is projected and that which is true, especially when it comes to God’s children.

Avatar Definition
Oxford Dictionary: An incarnation, embodiment, or manifestation of a person or idea.

Jesus On Avatars
Jesus despised phoniness, preferring to spend His time with humble, transparent, flawed (by world standards) individuals. Why? Because that is soil that receives the Gospel truth. An avatar isn’t real enough to receive the Gospel.

Only the flesh can love an avatar.

Being Honest With Ourselves
Time and again, Jesus told parables about humility and transparency with those who desire to love us, especially…starting with God, of course. (cp Lk 18:9-14; Mt 21:28-32)

No More Avatars
Not every request for intimacy requires a response. If you don’t yet have the courage to share the truth, then don’t make something more palatable up that is fake. You’re better off projecting nothing than something untrue.

Being Honest With Ourselves
Time and again, Jesus told parables about humility and transparency with those who desire to love us, especially…starting with God, of course. (cp Lk 18:9-14; Mt 21:28-32)

Amazing Grace
- John Newton -
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

The Pharisaical Avatar Type
We mimic the Pharisees when we project ourselves righteous in ways that we aren’t. Our righteousness comes through Christ, imputed/imparted by grace. We ruin the purity of grace when we lie about our wretchedness to others. (cp Mt 23:27-28)

The World Sees Our Choices
If our choices are inconsistent with our projected names, the arrogance in others will sniff it out and use it to discredit the very name we represent - Christ! (Eph 5)

“as beloved children”
Parents often tell their children to behave in public because it is their good name at stake. A disrespectful, unruly, naughty brat reflects poorly on the parents.

The World Sees Our Choices
If our choices are inconsistent with our projected names, the arrogance in others will sniff it out and use it to discredit the very name we represent - Christ! (Eph 5)

A truly good name is always a function of faith.
(e.g., Heb 11)