EAT THE WORD

Out of the frying pan and into the skillet!  That was the first thought that entered my mind as I started to write this week’s blog. Where did that thought come from I asked myself?  Dear Lord are you there?  Are you trying to tell me something?  Speak Lord, for thy servant is listening.

And thus, our conversation began…

Did you know that becoming like Christ has nothing to do with transforming your personality, but everything to do with transforming your character?  However, to understand this statement, you first must know the definition for both words.

• Personality – The sum of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.  (These features can be honed by the individual.)
• Character – The inherent complex of attributes that determines a person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions. (These features can ONLY be honed by Christ.)

I intentionally highlighted the difference between these two words to make it absolutely clear what the Bible teaches us.  Yes, we are wonderfully and uniquely made in the image of God and he does not want us to lose this uniqueness.  But what he does want is for us to develop our character in the image of the beatitudes listed in Matthew Chapter 5.  In other words, God desires our character to be a blessing to others and not to make you a god but to transform you to be godly.

The lesson to be learned is this…develop your personality not just to be a unique individual that is all about “me-myself-and I”.  BUT use your unique personality to be a nurturer to others.  Allow your moral and ethical characteristics and actions to be a source of power God can use to mold you into his godly person.

Rick Warren, author of the book, The Purpose Driven Life writes; “Christlikeness is not produced by imitation, but by inhabitation.”  So why not consider to ‘let go’ of your methods of what is good and perfect and ‘let God’ fortify your spiritual growth and development.

Personal testimony….

It wasn’t that long ago when I personally struggled with this dilemma.  I wanted so much to be just like my older sister.  But she was much smarter than I.  She dominated the accolades from our parents.  I was always being compared to my sister as being ‘not as smart as M______’.  As an adult, I began to recognize that what I really desired as a child was to mimic my sister’s personality.  And that flawed thinking almost destroyed my ability to allow God to do a good work in me by developing my own character borne out of my love for Jesus Christ.

GOD HAD TO ERADICATE ALL MY CHILDHOOD THOUGHTS OF THINKING THAT I COULD NETHER BE AS GOOD OR AS HUMBLE AS HIS SON, JESUS.  I WAS IGNORANT OF THE FACT THAT GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, BUT FAIL.

Perhaps you, too, were raised in the shadow of someone else.  If you have ‘been there and done that’ get over it!  Come to realize that even though you can develop your own personality, only God can develop your character.  I once wrote this line in a prose writing you can revisit in the very first blog I published on WordPress entitled “Mr. Character”. (*)

 “Mr. Character, I salute you for those unselfish efforts you have attempted to perform in the lives of others. You know, you are really like a mirror…that is, you reflect in every mood. Every experience you encounter is automatically revealed.”

Little did I know that when I was addressing “Mr. Character,” I was actually addressing God.  And YES, I jump out of the frying pan into God’s holy skillet!

Scripture Lesson:   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:2

(*)  NOTE:   For the complete reading of “Mr. Character” click Archive month of May 2018 to the right of this page. Then scroll down to the article)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!