Rom. 5:1-5, Introduction to Character Traits

Of Jesus it was said, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered (Heb. 5:8).  Thus it is for us.  Proven character is the result of patience in tribulation.  In this way we are “perfected,” meaning we arrive at the goal of Christlikeness that God has set for us (Rom. 8:29). 

I would like to spend some time studying various “character traits.”  Let me give you a little history on this.  Many years ago, like a lot of evangelical Christians, we attended seminars that featured Bill Gothard.  For you who got caught up in the Promise Keepers movement (yes, I attended a couple of those events), before PK there was “The Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts” in the 1970’s.  In recent years Gothard has been accused by many women of sexual abuse, charges he denies.  I am letting you know I am aware of this.

But why mention him at all?  Because the list of traits we are about to study came from him, as did most of the definitions of those traits.  My goal from the start was to take each trait and put it in a broader Biblical context, not just Proverbs.  My study of these involved …

·       Greek word studies from the NT.

·       Prominent passages in the Bible.

·       Illustration in Scripture (esp. from the Samuels and Kings).

·       And studies in Proverbs.

Each of our studies will contain a definition of the trait, a Scripture list (usually with many Proverbs plus other helpful passages), an “underlying principle” (why is this trait important in my life), illustrations and then a Bible study.

Here is a simple Bible study on “how” we learn character that is proven.

·       Rom. 5:3-5: trials are essential.  I may claim to be “content,” for example, but it is not proven until I am in a situation of great need.

·       Rom. 6-8: The fullness of the Spirit (i.e. yieldedness to Christ) is essential.

·       And according to Proverbs:

o   Separation from the world’s system is essential.  We need to avoid gossips (20:19), angry men (22:24), men given to change (24:21), gluttons (28:7) and thieves (29:24).  I Cor. 15:33 echoes this sentiment: bad company corrupts good morals.

o   Fellowship with those who are free to reprove us is essential (27:17, one man sharpens another.)

o   Parents are essential (1:8; 2:1; 3:1,11; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1,20-23; 7:1).

o   God is necessary (3:5-6).

We hope you find this series helpful.