All tagged character
As I read my devotional text this morning it spoke of prayer as providing the Christian with aim, focus, character, good conduct, determination, and a clearer idea of religion, but its claims regarding these came with no definitive method by which this was to be achieved. The only supporting evidence offered came from a short passage in 1st Thessalonians.
Shaping our character through faith and prayer is the subject of our contemplation this morning. A person of good character is a delight to the Lord and His presence in their lives leads them towards that goal.
This morning we contemplate the role of character and conduct as it applies to our faith and walk with God. So, as we study the Word of God, pray, and worship, our faith, which lives within us, is being increased and our character altered. Faith in God changes us and leads us towards eternal life...
Does God lead us in the way we should go, and if so, what awaits us at the end of our journey? This is what I ponder this morning. Do we know the Person of the one who leads us and if so, do we need to fully understand where He is leading us before we follow Him?
We build character by facing trials and tribulations, and no one knows this better than the Christian. Our suffering hardens us in our belief, and builds up the resolve we have in our faith. Surviving our individual tribulations opens our eyes to the true character of Christ. However, our joint suffering with Him, and with one another, will bring us together as one; one in love, one in forgiveness, one in our faith, and one in every character trait of Christ that reflects the Father. Do we value who Jesus is enough to suffer with Him so that we will become as He is… free of imperfection?
People face many trials in their lives, and as Christians we are not exempt from them. It is common for new Christians to think that because we experience a deep seated hope in salvation that this implies that our hardships in life will vanish, but to the surprise of many we find that they do not, and are a necessary part of a robust faith. Suffering through trials increases the endurance of our faith, which in turn strengthens our character, and this leads us to an amazing hope, and at last, a confidence in our salvation through Jesus Christ. When we suffer, and we do so in Jesus, something amazing happens… our faith, and walk with Him becomes stronger, and sweeter. The confidence, and hope, we have of salvation wells up in us, and God’s will for us in Christ, extends beyond our earlier hope into reality.