Set Free – Paths to Godliness

How to Live Right When Your Life Goes Wrong by Leslie Vernick  – The common denominator in all of our destructive behaviors is that we are acting on something that is not true. Gain a new perspective on the troubles God allows in your life.  Come on a journey of personal growth and spiritual discovery as your heart is drawn back to a central tenet of the Gospel: Truth isn’t something you learn, but Someone you know. And the truth will set you free.

^[31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ^[32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 ESV)

“The Bible teaches us a great deal about God’s purposes and will for his people. One of God’s main purposes is to make us more like him. Psalm 23:3 says, ‘He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.’ Paths of righteousness have to do with character development – shaping our inner self. In the process of spiritual maturity, there are certain things that God desires us to be, or become.” (pg. 37) What are the things that come to your mind?

 Let’s look at three paths that God guides us on; righteousness, life, and wisdom. Get your Bibles ready for some of the Scriptures that direct our character development in Christ. Share your thoughts and experiences as you journey through these passages.

Paths of Righteousness – Who God wants us to be (pg. 37, 38)

• Patient (Romans 12:12, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, James 5:7-10)
• Joyful (Psalm 66:1, Psalm 97:11, Proverbs 23:24, Acts 2:28, Romans 12:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:16)
• Hopeful (Acts 2:26, Romans 5:4-5, Romans 8:25, Romans 15:4, Hebrews 6:19, 1 Peter 1:13)
• Humble (2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 23:12, Romans 12:16, Ephesians 4:2, 1 Peter 5:6)
• Forgiving (Matthew 6:12-14, Matthew 18:21-22, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13)
• Merciful (Matthew 5:7, Matthew 12:7, Luke 6:36, James 3:17, Jude 22)
• Kind (Proverbs 11:17, Proverbs 14:21, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:15)
• Filled with Spirit (Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31, Acts 9:17, Ephesians 5:18)
• Obedient (Deuteronomy 6:3, Psalm 119:17 & 34, John 14:15 & 23-24, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 6)
• Faithful (Proverbs 2:8, Matthew 25:23, Romans 12:12, Galatians 5:22, Revelation 2:10 & 14:12)
• Trusting (Proverbs 3:5 & 22:19, Isaiah 26:4, John 14:1, Romans 15:3, Hebrews 2:13)
• Loving (Proverbs 3:3, Mark 12:31-33, John 13:34 & 15:9 & 17, Romans 13:10, Ephesians 5:1-2)
• Holy (Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 1:15-16)
• Self Controlled (Galatians 5:23, 1Thessalonians 5:6-8, 1 Peter 1:13 & 4:7 & 5:8)
• Pure (Matthew 5:8, Philippians 1:10, 1 Timothy 4:12 & 5:22, Titus 2:5, 1 John 3:3)
• Gentle (Proverbs 15:1, Galatians 5:23, Ephesians 4:2, Philippians 4:5, Colossians 3:12, 1 Timothy 6:11)
• Imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:6)
• Like Jesus (Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 15:49, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:24)

Paths of Life – What God wants us to do (pg. 39, 40)

•  Love him with all of our heart (Deuteronomy 30:16…20, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27)
• Obey him (Joshua 22:5, John 14:15, Romans 16:26, 2 Corinthians 2:9, Hebrews 5:8-9, 1 Peter 1:14, 2 John 6)
• Trust him (Psalm 9:10, Psalm 13:5, Psalm 56:3-4…11, Proverbs 3:5, Isaiah 8:17 & 26:3-4, John 12:36 & 14:1)
• Pray (Psalm 32:6, Matthew 6:9, Mark 14:38, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:13)
• Believe (Mark 5:36, John 20:31, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:10, Galatians 3:22, Ephesians 1:18-19)
• Make every effort to keep unity (Romans 15:5, Ephesians 4:2, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:11)
• Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21, James 3:17)
• Respect those in authority (Romans 13:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Titus 3:1, Hebrews 13:17)
• Glorify God by our life (Psalm 63:3, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Revelation 14:7)
• Love one another (John 13:34 & 15:12, Romans 12:10 & 13:10, Galatians 5:14, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10)
• Devote ourselves to doing good (Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Galatians 6:9-10, Titus 3:1…8…14)
• Give to those who are in need (Proverbs 14:21, Matthew 6:2-3, Romans 12:13, 1 John 3:16-18)
• Forgive those who sin against us (Matthew 6:12-14 & 18:22-22, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13)
• Witness to others (Matthew 5:16 & 28:19, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8)
• Overcome evil with good (Proverbs 25:21, Romans 12:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 2:15-22 & 3:9…17)
• Love our enemies (Matthew 5:44…46, Luke 6:27…32…35, Romans 12:20)
• Give thanks (1 Chronicles 16:8, psalm 30:12 & 107:1, Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Paths of Wisdom – Making good choices

• “God’s Word says he will teach us to walk in the paths of wisdom and truth.”
  (Psalm 254:4, 32:8)
•  I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. (Proverbs 4:11 ESV)

“When seeking God’s will, we often look for confirmation, evidenced by good results, that we made the right choice. Then we feel reassured that our choice was indeed God’s will. However, if it seems that our decision leads to poor or unexpected results, we often question whether we acted on God’s will or whether we ‘missed it.'” (pg 41)

Ultimately God’s will  for Christians is to bring us into an intimate relationship with him and conform us into the image of Christ. Contrary to prosperity theology, God’s will is not to give us a happy and carefree life. In our troubles he promises, ^[28] that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ^[29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28-29 ESV) What is the core path to living in God’s will?