Will You Act Or React?Shembull

Will You Act or React?

ACTION: Be a reflection of Christ

Several years ago when I was in busines I went through training for the admiration of a personality profile system.  I was told that people normally put on a front in trying to be the person they would like to be, but under pressure they resort to who they really are.  I thought that what was being taught was rather fatalistic, in that they were saying people cannot change, and deep down, you are who you are and there is nothing that can be done about it.  

I challenged the professor and told him that as a Christian, I believe that the scripture in 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches otherwise.  It says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  I was surprised by his response.  He said that they have discovered that it is true that the values one holds dear override the normal personality of the person, and in fact, they were in the process of writing a “values supplement” to their evaluation tool.  

But remember, some values are not necessarily good values.  So it might not necessarily be a good thing.  Do you want good values to override your basic instincts?  Then Christ must show through you to the people around you, both in good and challenging situations.

We say often that the discipleship of the Holy Spirit in reforming a man is an inside out transformation.  In other words, it begins in the man’s heart, away from the view of others.  If it is not in the heart, then our willpower to reflect the character of Christ and make of ourselves something other than who we are deep down will fail. 

Under pressure we will resort to our normal personality, which is often destructive.  But, if our heart is good because we live in close proximity with Christ, then what people see and hear from our life is a reflection of Christ no matter our circumstances.  The reflection of Christ is what the world needs to see.  So unveil it and let it shine.