Seek His Character

Ps Robert De Martin - INChurch Sydney

God wants us to grow spiritually and become like Christ. God wants us to develop His values, attitudes, and character. Ephesians 4:17-32 talks about living out the new life we have in Christ. We are to “Take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you” (Ephesians 4:23-24 The Message). We have been given a new nature by being born-again by the Spirit and we are to display this new nature and character of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to live a life of transformation. We are to be spiritually formed and transformed by the power of the Spirit within and our obedience to all that He commands us to be and do.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian: “Faith is only real in obedience.”

We are called to display the character and nature of Jesus to our world – every day and in all that we are and do. God wants us to develop the kind of character described in: the Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:2-12), the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), Paul’s great chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13), and Peter’s list of the characteristics of an effective and productive life (2 Peter 1:5-8). Read through each of these passages and allow His Holy Spirit to speak to you and show you areas of your life He wants to transform.

When we are saved (born-again): Our Past is Forgiven, Our Present is Empowered, and Our Future is Secure. Be empowered by the Holy Spirit! He has promised us His power to live the life He calls us to. He gives us all the power we need to live a life that pleases Him and honours Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into His glorious image.” As Christ’s followers, we are not only to tell our world about Jesus, we are supposed to show them Jesus.

Reflect

Do you have a genuine desire to become more like Jesus and show His character? Will you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life in a deeper way? Are we willing to obey His Word/Holy Spirit? Would you allow the Lord to remove the things that do not resemble Him? Would you say, Holy Spirit, I am ready and willing for you to continue the work of transformation in me?

Prayer

Father, you are rich in mercy. When we were dead in our sin, you made us alive in Christ. Because of your great love, you desire to conform us into the likeness of your Son Jesus. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who is transforming us to have the same attitude and mind as Jesus. Help us to love the way Jesus loves; to humble ourselves as He humbled Himself; and to trust and obey as He did in all things. Guard us from quenching your work in our lives and help us stay in step with the Holy Spirit each day. May we be ever-changing into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.