Road to Character part 1

Self Mastery. . Together

"No person can achieve self-mastery on his or her own."

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Brooks introduces a group of "heroes of renunciation" from different eras and careers who have demonstrated useful and inspiring virtues such as humility, sacrifice, and a respect for limitations and human flaws. Among them are St. Augustine, Samuel Johnson, George Eliot, Dorothy Day, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and George Marshall.

These exemplars of character and inner life are, in the author's view, representatives of "Adam II." They are contrasted with the present generation of "Adam I's" who adhere to selfishness, greed, and a success ethic. Brooks expands this comparison by contrasting the "resumé virtues" where individualism and being a winner are honored in the marketplace versus the "eulogy virtues" where such character qualities as kindness and courage are exalted.

Near the end of the book, Brooks presents "The Humility Code" which contains these and some other images, insights, and virtues as markers of how to live:

1, 2 Peter, Jude (4) Living in Light of the End (4:7–11)

4:10 The theme of ministering to one another continues, but the emphasis shifts to gifts believers have received by God’s grace. The word “gift” (charisma) implies that the gifts believers have are the result of God’s grace, and the word “received” confirms this judgment. Paul used the term “gift” (charisma) quite often to designate spiritual gifts

God gives gifts

rom 12:6

Romans 12:6 ESV

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

jam 1:17

James 1:17 ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

we all have gifts

wisdom.... knowledge …faith

Gifts are to build up and not for boasting