Beholding God: 2 Corinthians 3:18 (Peace)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Peace?

Read 2 Corinthians 3:18:

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

In your opinion, what is the the most important characteristic of a Christian? Be specific.

Write your answer in the space provided.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers' observations on 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states:

"The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character."

How does this observation compare to your answer in Step 3?

Oswald continues:

"Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best."

As a Christian, how frequently do you find 'good' activities leading you away from the 'best' as Oswald describes it?

Think back on an experience when you were in personal contact with Jesus.

Write down the experience in the space provided.

Oswald writes:

"The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God. We must maintain a position of beholding Him, keeping our lives completely spiritual through and through."

Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to a Bible verse.

When you receive the verse, write it in the space provided and then take time to meditate on it.

(Note: if you do not receive a Bible verse, write down the first verse that comes to your mind.)

Now ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what He has for you through this Bible verse.

If you like, you can write down what you receive in the space provided.

(Note: If you do not receive anything, write down what comes to your mind.)

How much did you find yourself beholding the Lord your God in the Steps 8 and 9?

Oswald warns:

"Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him. This is an easy thing to allow, but we must guard against it."

What specific actions can you take to guard against losing your personal intimacy with Christ?

Regarding your answer in Step 6, are there any specific 'good' activities you are willing to let go of right now?

If so, write down the activities and when and how you plan on letting them go.

Oswald concludes:

"The most difficult lesson of the Christian life is learning how to continue “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord....”

Why do you think that this will be your "most difficult lesson" as a Christian?

Keep in mind that learning how to make beholding God the first priority in your life is a process, not an event.

For that reason this Trail is now in your library for you to schedule whenever you like.

How much has this Trail increased His fruit of peace in your present disposition?