Glossary

A brief summary of definitions for words used in this lesson.

Anoint: To place oil on the head of a person to request healing of an illness (James 5:14-16 [14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

See All...). The oil symbolizes God's Spirit, which is the power of God.

Character: The discernment, willingness and determination to make and carry out proper moral, ethical and spiritual choices regardless of the circumstances, pressures and tendency to do otherwise.

Endurance: The ability to withstand prolonged hardship or adversity. The act of staying the course.

Free will, free choice or free moral agency: The freedom to decide without undue pressure whether to embrace or reject a particular course of action; the characteristic of not being governed by prior causes (such as instinct) or divine intervention but able to decide for oneself.

Fruit: The result of a decision or course of action. The fruit of the Spirit is the consequence of the Holy Spirit at work in a person's life.

Human nature: The characteristics, tendencies and behavior of a human being. It is fundamentally neutral, although over time self-gratification tends to predominate. As creatures of choice, we are enjoined and expected to resist the pulls of base self-motivation and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Persecution: Affliction, abuse, harassment or attacks on our person or character. Persecution for obedience to God allows us to suffer for righteousness' sake. Such abuse may include personal, political, religious and psychological persecution.

ReconciliationRestoration; the opposite of alienation. We are reconciled to a relationship with God the Father through repentance of sin and acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ. Alienation from God results from sin (Isaiah 59:1-2).: Restoration; the opposite of alienation. We are reconciled to a relationship with God the Father through repentance of sin and acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ. Alienation from God results from sin (Isaiah 59:1-2 [1] Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
[2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

See All...).

Repentance: A reversal of direction in attitude and actions. We repent when we realize we are headed the wrong way, then stop, turn around and begin moving in the right direction. Spiritually, it involves genuine sorrow for sins and a resolve to do what is right.

Reward: Something God gives to those who please Him. In the broadest sense, a reward is whatever we receive for our actions, good or bad. We cannot earn our salvation, which is a gift from God (Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
See All...), yet Christ shows through the parable of the talents that some will receive greater rewards than others in the Kingdom of God because of their service to their Creator (Matthew 25:14-30 [14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
[15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
[16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
[17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
[18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
[19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
[20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
[21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
[23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
[25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
[26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
[27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
[28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
[29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
[30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

See All...). The righteous reap their ultimate reward at the time of the resurrection of the just.

Sovereignty (of God): The unchallenged rule, power and autonomy of God. The Creator is sovereign in that no one can successfully challenge His supremacy.

Suffering: Pain caused by physical, mental or psychological factors or any combination of the three.

Trial: A test of faith, patience or stamina through being subjected to suffering or temptation. We are tried through the difficulties of life. Such tests work patience and build and reveal our character. "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small," wrote Solomon (Proverbs 24:10If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
See All...). Successfully endured trials build holy, righteous character and trust in God.