08/06/2024
Does what we do in practice affect who we are or will become? Or, is who we are inside the sole determinate of what we do? This is an interesting question dealing with works, faith, and their interaction... But it is also a developmental question for us as Christians. In seeking the answer to this question I enjoyed reading the words of Pastor E. M. Bounds who wrote..."It was the inner character, not the outward appearance of men like Abraham, Job, David, Moses and others, that had such great influence with God in the biblical days. Today, it is not so much our words, but what we really are that counts for much in our praying. At the same time, character affects conduct to a far greater extent and has a superior influence over prayer. Our inner lives give color to our praying."
So it wasn't the stuttering voice of Moses or the strength of David that brought God to choose them as His tools in their time, but who He knew them to be inside. They worshipped God from their very core. Indeed, it was written that David was a man after God's own heart.
“But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you."”
1 Samuel 13:14 ESV
But this doesn't answer the question that was initially posed. We know that God is more impressed with who we are on the inside than what we look like, or our actions, but does what we do affect who we are inside? Scripture gives us the answer in many verses; here are a couple:
“Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."”
1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Proverbs 13:20 ESV
So if bad company can impact who we are in a negative way and the company of wise men make us wise then I believe that our actions have an impact on who we are. We are even instructed in Romans 12:2 to renew our minds.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
Several years ago, when my in-laws were up in years I began to mow and keep up their yard. It was a simple thing, but by my actions the Lord began to deal with me and bless me. As time went on I did more and more for them until in my father-in-law's final year of life I did such things as shave and clothe him. These were physical things, but they had a profound spiritual impact on who I was... my character. They were changing me in a very basic way. I learned such things as the power of God in our personal sacrifice, the value of patience, and the gracefulness of humility. I also learned how to pray without ceasing.
Jesus said that we should love our neighbor but a neighbor is truly anyone beyond ourselves. God taught me through my actions that loving someone else as much as you love yourself can become far more than a simple concept or hollow words when we internalize it.
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."”
Mark 12:30-31 ESV
What began as what I did, became in fact, who I was. God changes our character when we chose to read His word and follow it. Then, in the simple actions of everyday life, He changes us to our very core.
“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 ESV
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
So our actions do change us; they can change us for better or worse depending on how we approach God and life in general.
This morning I pray that you focus your thoughts and actions on God's Word, what is good and wise, and Jesus Christ. I pray that the simple things you do each day will enrich your character and draw you into a more righteous and faithful life. I pray that as you unselfishly serve others that God will bless you beyond your wildest imagination. Then, I pray that God uses you to influence those around you and that He will allow you to begin changing the characters of others... To His glory. Amen
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading us to serve you in those things we do in your name each day, and thank you for how, by doing so with our minds and hands, that our hearts are thus transformed. Show us by our outward actions the true nature of the person we are inside, and if that person is lacking in any way then change us. Help us Abba to be more like Jesus with each passing day, and solidify us in our righteousness as your lessons work within us to improve who we are. Help us mightily in the smallest of good that we do for others, and let the world see how we have been changed. Help us to love the needy, and not to hold any animosity towards those who seek to use our goodness and mercy against us. Give us the perseverance and humility to be used by others, even when they are taking advantage of our transformed character. Help us to keep on loving them as Jesus does until at last they are transformed by the very love we are showing them, and they accept Him as their own savior by the example of who we became with Him abiding in us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has loved us from before the foundation of the world, and who has loved us through all those hard times in our lives when sin had taken hold of who we were. You have been merciful and full of grace despite the sinner within us, and your love has changed us little by little until at last we found ourselves to be Christ-like, and pleasing in your eyes. Continue to change us and perfect us in faith and character until at last you have brought us to a fullness of joy, peace, and holiness in you. We will praise you all along the way Abba, and call your Son Jesus our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and the Prince of Peace. In ourselves we desire to see your reflection and feel the changes you have initiated when we have sought to imitated your character and actions. Lead us to become the person in whom you will be well pleased, and the child you will find worthy of being kept in your loving presence for all eternity. Let us come to chant Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God, who was, and is, and is to come!!!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Rich Forbes