Word, People, and Circumstances

Greetings:

Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:24 (HCSB), "(Y)ou put on the new man, the one created according to God’s [likeness] in righteousness and purity of the truth."

God, through the Holy Spirit, uses three main tools to develop, mold, and direct us in our lives. These are: (1) His Word, (2) Other People, and (3) Circumstances. As we seek to follow and do His Will, He will at different times use any one of these - or any combination of them to mold us and shape us. They will make us into the new man (or woman) of truth.

God's Word provides the truth we need to grow. Truth is absolute, and it is established by God. The only way to know truth is through God's Word. Man's truths will vary from one to another, from one generation to another, from one culture to another. The ultimate truth is found only in God's Word. If you want to walk in His path, you must study and know the Bible.

God's people provide the support we need to grow. We cannot grow in truth in a vacuum. We need to be around God's people. As the Old Testament passage tells us - "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 22:17, HCSB). The Godly people that we have around us will help us to develop into a Godly person.

Finally, circumstances provide the environment to practice Christ likeness. The circumstances that God puts and allows in our lives give us the opportunity to practice Christ likeness. The old saying is that practice makes perfect - this isn't correct. Only perfect practice makes perfect. We must practice being like Christ in every situation. If someone slights you, if someone treats you unfairly, if the situation is not what you want - you must seek to be like Christ, and respond the way that He does. By the way - this tool only works correctly when you have mastered the first one - His Word.

So, today - begin the lifelong journey of seeking to be like Christ - use the tolls that God has provided - His Word, Other people, and Circumstances.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc