Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

II. Some ApplicationsA. Decisive Thinking1. Jonathan first distinguished himself as a great military leader by being a decisive thinker,having the rare ability to make good choices and to ensure their success by pursuing them with singlemindeddiligence and indefatigable effort2. sober judgment is an important part of discipleship and evidence that one is maturing in hisunderstanding of God’s will and Christ’s teaching (Romans 12:1-3)3. the Proverbs counsel us to “Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will beestablished” (16:3).a. as we mature in Christ, we should gain the ability to choose between right and wrong moreeasily and to be more decisive once we do, recognizing that the tempter is the one sowing confusion andcounseling procrastination (Hebrews 5:13-14, 6:11-12)b. as Jonathan was able to win physical battles by thinking decisively, so we can win spiritualbattles of greater significance by choosing right with determination to see it through (Philippians 3:13-16)B. Love for His Father1. in spite of all the reasons not to, Jonathan loved his father and did everything he could toreform the old man before it was too late2. correcting one’s father is a tricky proposition, and one fraught with danger, in part becausewe’re usually wrong when we think our fathers are3. everybody is wrong sometimes, though, and Saul was certainly wrong to see David’sassassination, especially for the reasons that Saul chose–pride, embarrassment, rivalry, paranoia4. should one choose to defy his father or correct him, he must be absolutely certain that he isright and doing it in order to be true to the Lord, even at the expense of the human relationship (Matthew10:32-39)5. Paul warned Timothy about rebuking older men (First Timothy 5:1)6. even fathers, older men and elders are subject, however to correction, but only couched in thedeepest respect and the most certain analysis of the circumstances (First Timothy 5:17-22)C. Friendship1. above all else, Jonathan is remembered as a paragon of friendship and brotherly kindness2. Job rightly reasoned that, “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of theAlmighty” (6:14).3. friendship, especially among fellow believers in Christ, is a powerful force in bringing joy andaid in the struggle to reach heavena. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).b. “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer thana brother” (Proverbs 18:24).c. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6).d. “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from hisearnest counsel” (Proverbs 27:9).e. “Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's housein the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away” (Proverbs27:10).4. our goal is not only to have that kind of friend, but to be itConclusionJonathan is a nearly perfect example of goodness and friendship in spite of terrible odds.218