Tag Archives: Character

Fruit’s Proof

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What’s encouraging is the fact that somewhere along the line we come to a point where it’s virtually impossible to get mired once again in the pit of the old self. Why? Because our character has been permanently altered—who we are has changed. Once our character is transformed, we truly no longer are our former self.

Yes, we’ll continue to be confronted with the issues of our old nature (our old self). That’s why we must always be vigilant. But though we may slip, we won’t turn back! My guess is that those who throw in the towel have never experienced any meaningful degree of transformation in the first place.

The “fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”—firmly entrenched within provides bona fide proof that metamorphosis has taken hold.(Galatians 5:22-23).

It’s true that God can cause one or more of these virtues to sporadically spring forth according to the need of the moment, even before they become the rock-solid foundation of our character. But just stop and think what it must be like to enjoy the advantage of the fruit of the Spirit deeply-rooted and dominant in your life.(Galatians 5:24)

Gone to Flying!

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In the New Testament, the term used for transformed is a Greek word from which our English word metamorphosis comes. It means radical change from one form to another. Probably the most common example of such change in the natural world is the striking metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly—a transformation so radical that it is entirely inexplicable. The caterpillar takes on an amazing new form as the result of metamorphosis. Not only is the butterfly a much more beautiful creature, but it also behaves differently. No longer is it confined to merely crawling around; now it can fly!

Well, it’s not too hard to see how such a dramatic transformation might apply to our initiation as that “new creature” in Christ.(2 Corinthians 5:17) But it’s a little more difficult to understand how the concept of metamorphosis might apply to a change in our character. Just how are we “transformed by the renewing of our mind?” And more puzzling yet, how is it that our old self can co-exist right alongside our dynamic new self? Yet this is nothing more than the core question we’ve been grappling with right along, isn’t it?

Our old self doesn’t simply evaporate once we’re saved. It hangs on, not only as an ever-present reminder of our humanity but as an impediment to our spiritual growth as well. So this can’t help but raise a legitimate question: if we can never altogether get rid of the old self, how can we ever claim to be genuinely transformed?

Interestingly, the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into the butterfly sheds some light here. You see, though radically changed, the genetic make-up of the butterfly hasn’t changed at all; it still retains the DNA of the caterpillar. In like manner, our life now rooted in the new self maintains the stamp of our humanity. But we’ve gone to flying instead of merely being limited to crawling around!

Excerpted from: Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself

Proven Character

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When the topic of transformation in our life comes up, we typically think in terms of something much less extreme than what God has in mind. In our humanity we resist genuine change, simply as a matter of course. We cling to doing things our own way because the crux of the matter is our self-will. So when sin crops up, we react by trying to patch it up in one way or another, rather than taking the time and effort to get to the root of the problem.

We behave this way because it’s painful to root sin out. Yes, we want to change; at least we give lip-service to it. But when it comes right down to it, we usually are more comfy staying right where we are—superficial change, yes; genuine transformation, no.

 

 

 

Scripture makes it very clear that God is interested in something a whole lot deeper. He wants to live His life in and through us, to bring us to a place of spiritual health and maturity where He can use our life to radically impact the world. And it’s impossible for Him to do this without first transforming our character through the renewing of our mind.

What  character have to do with it? Well, the definition of character largely answers that question. Character in the Greek means proof of genuineness, trustworthiness. It’s not surprising, then, to find it translated in at least one place as “proven character.” (Romans 5:3-4)

Character Formation

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A common byproduct of redemption is the supernatural healing of oppression or addiction. In one form or another, many of us have experienced such deliverance (as we often call it) from the ways of our old life. And deliverance is not limited to our new-birth experience alone; it can happen even long after we’re saved. So we shouldn’t ever stop seeking such miraculous intervention by God.

But what’s frustrating is the fact that we can’t pick and choose which of our weaknesses will be healed in this manner. That’s because God has a plan—a plan revolving around His purpose for us. It’s a plan that is not only a whole lot different but also far less comfortable than what we might choose if we had the chance.

What I’m referring to here is actually an entirely different kind of change in us; it’s what Paul is referring to when he says, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”(Romans 12:2) To better understand what he means by this, we need to remember that the mind (and thus the renewal of our mind) doesn’t merely mean the physical mind, but rather the inner man—the immaterial part of our nature as it interacts with the physical mind.

What he’s describing here is a type of change that God employs far more commonly than the instantaneous kind. It’s a transformational change in our character, change which invariably is a more prolonged, arduous and painful solution to the problem of our weaknesses. Yet as annoying as this approach might seem, it is ultimately far more productive when the entire scope of God’s purpose is taken into account.

Character the Goal

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Scripture makes it very clear that God is interested in something a whole lot deeper than the superficial change we tend to be most comfortable with. He wants to live His life in and through us, to bring us to a place of spiritual health and maturity where He can use our life to radically impact the world. And it’s impossible for Him to do this without first transforming our character through the renewing of our mind.

What does character have to do with it? Well, the definition of character largely answers that question. Character in the Greek means proof of genuineness, trustworthiness. It’s not surprising, then, to find it translated in at least one place as “proven character.”(Romans 5:3-4)

When the term character is used in Scripture, a great deal is revealed in regard to the condition of man’s heart. Character is that quality within which governs our response in any given instance or circumstance. It’s who we are at the deepest level of our being. In the end we always behave as our character dictates.

A weak character can’t help but succumb to temptation, sadly resulting in a never-ending cycle of bandaging up our sin, patch by cumbersome patch. But a character transformed through a life of godliness responds the very same way every time temptation surfaces: “Of course I won’t do that. That’s not who I am!” How would you rather live your life—on the verge of failure every time sin rears its ugly head, or benefiting from the much-needed help that godly moral fiber brings?

True Change Not So Easy

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A big problem that seems to sap our motivation to change is the fact that our self-willed nature craves instant change: “Please give me patience, Lord, but give it to me now!” The uncomfortable truth is that, in most instances, hasty change is simply not the way God works out His plan for our lives. While on occasion God may choose to instantly change something in us, those of us who have been around for awhile know that this is the exception rather than the rule. And when change does not come quickly, we tend to lose hope that it ever will. But God has a purpose in allowing painful circumstances.

God wants to go deep within our nature to rebuild our character—a true change of heart. Often this is a process He can accomplish in no other way but through time and suffering.

How do you feel about yourself? Are you happy with who you are? Or do you sense the need for change in your inner person? Well, whether the need be subtle or dramatic, the transformation of our character is God’s goal for each and every one of us. Why? Because God has designed us for relationship, and the reality of the weakness of the flesh must be dealt with for our life in Him to be healthy.

Vibrant Relationship!

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Can you see how important it is to have the presence of the Holy Spirit indwelling our being? Only through an impartation of His life can our conscience be restored to a healthy state. Our conscience then has tremendous influence on our will, which in turn is able to dictate itself more intentionally to the thoughts and feelings of our mind.

The transformation of the mind brings about change in our behavior not merely by attempting to control our flesh through an external system of do’s and don’ts. Rather, genuine change comes from a deep rebuilding of our character—that quality which directs our actions from within and stands firm no matter what we find facing us.

None of it’s possible, though, without a vibrant connection with the Spirit of God. Consequently, developing a lifestyle of communing with God is the key to genuine change. We can’t simply pay lip-service to this spiritual discipline. It has to be real; it must be alive.

Vibrancy in any relationship comes as the result of intimacy. The beauty of it is that such intimacy with God is not only possible, but His design brings with it the expectationfor both growth and bountiful flowering in each and every one of His children. But if that’s truly the case, why do we so often stubbornly refuse it? In a word: self.

Excerpted from: Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself

 

 

The Good News: Part 7

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I know that God causes all things to work together for good for me, because I love Him and am called according to His purpose. For God knew me before the beginning of time, and as a result has predestined me to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29). Through Him I now rejoice in my tribulations, for I know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to me (Romans 5:3 & 8:18). I take solace in the fact that my suffering is merely a means of reinforcing my perseverance, refining my character, and providing me hope (Romans 5:3-5).

            My salvation is secure, because nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35). So He has promised! Even though I know that I will one day stand before the judgment seat of God, I have no fear, for in that day I shall be found sheltered in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:10, Colossians 3:3). My perishable body will be raised in glory (1 Corinthians 15:42-43). Just as my nature has borne the image of the earthly, I shall also bear the image of the heavenly, since He will transform the body of my humble state into conformity with the body of His glory (1 Corinthians 15:49, Philippians 3:21).

Excerpted from: Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself