Our Divine Role Model

 "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." (Philippians 2:1-2) 

What is a model? Webster's New World Dictionary defines the word "model" as: "...a person or thing regarded as a standard of excellence, to be imitated."

 * "Christ is the model for Christian life and service because He thought first of others, not Himself. Do you look out for the interests of others, or do you think only of yourself? Do you have the servant attitude of Jesus Christ, willing to sacrifice for others? Will you empty yourself that others might be filled?"

 I would be bold to say that we don't have very many good role-models today. Of course that depends on who you are talking to, and what you are talking about. In the area of sports and entertainment, there are those who are looking up to sports icons and entertainers who live very immoral lives.

Peter gave the best answer to a question that Jesus asked, when many of the disciples that followed Him, walked with Him no more: "Do you also want to go away?" Peter's answer was: "Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6:68-69) There is no other one whom we can find our eternal security. No other one who we can imitate to help us to have the character that leads to unity, in the Christian community.

The answer may be simple, but to accomplish it will take discipline and work. To be like-minded, we must all strive to be like Christ! GP

 * Warren W. Wiersbe - With The Word - A Devotional Commentary - pp.779

 Photo by Stuart Miles. Published on 17 February 2014 Stock photo - Image ID: 100236995 www.freedigitalphotos.net

Make Every Effort

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ..." 
(1 Peter 1:5-10)

 We have heard these words from time to time: "Go out and "make" 
it a good day." And of course president Donald Trump's theme: "Let's "Make" America Great!" The word "make" indicates that we are to put forth some "effort." Not that we should do it all ourselves, but that in whatever we do, we are to put forth as much energy, passion, and determination as we can.

Peter writes in our text that we are to "make every effort" to add to our faith virtues that will add to our Christian character; and help us in being effective in knowing Christ, and being like Him, in our walk and service. There are things that the Lord wants us to be, and to do. The resources are available for us to accomplish it. but we are to do our part.
God is not going to spoon feed us.

One of the worst things for a Christian, is to be near-sighted, and and worse, blind to the person God wants us to be. We have been cleansed of our former sins, and given the opportunity to be like Jesus Christ, and be pleasing in the eyes of God.

God has done His part through His Son Jesus. Now it's time for us to do our part. It will be hard work to apply the Word of God to our stubborn selfish inner person. But in the long run, the results, will be truly  worth it! GP

 Skeeze / 10847 images - CCO Public Domain - Free for commercial use - No attribution required - www.pixabay.com

Correcting Our Character

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (Romans 7:15-17) 

Is the way that people see us, the way the Lord wants us to be seen? In other words, are we showing the character of God when we interact with people everyday?

Just because we have become Christians, does not mean that we have arrived at displaying, a life that is totally Christ like. In our text, the Apostle Paul said that there were things that he did, he knew was wrong, but yet he did them anyway.

What is it that causes us to do those things, that we know are not right, and is offensive to God, as well as to others. How can we as Christians act this way? 
It is a constant inner struggle, that all of us as Christians have. That is why it is important that we have patience with one another.

In v.24 Paul asks, "Who will set me free from the body of this death?" He gives thanks, to Jesus Christ (v.25) who is the only one who could help him, and who can help us, with this battle. Jesus, in His time, will help us to show the right character, constantly. We need to cooperate with Him, and that means, that we must humble ourselves, and submit to His workings in our lives. GP

 Photo by Master isolated images. Published on 04 August 2014 Stock photo - Image ID: 100279442 www.freedigitalphotos.com

What About Character?

"The ninth Republican presidential debate was in many ways the nastiest of the campaign, complete with raised voices, name calling, and criticism of family members Saturday night in South Carolina." (Sean Sullivan of the Washington Post)

 I have been watching the the presidential debates, and after seeing all of the mudslinging, I have to ask the question: What does this say about good character?

For those candidates who have been bashing each other, I ask, do I want you to represent me as president? If you act this way in public, how do you act in private? They will say, "well, that's politics!" But I say, when you leave a negative impression such as this, it sticks in the minds of the viewers.

But it doesn't matter what I think, but it does matter what the Lord Thinks. The Lord spoke through the Apostle Paul when he said: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29) 
I ask you, presidential candidates, is this what you are doing? I would rather have a candidate that attacks the issues, not the other candidates. To me that is demonstrating good character! GP

 Photo ID 47468791 © Marynabolsunova | Dreamstime.com