Character Formation

Day 1 : Character Formation 1
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Our Character is define as our moral strength or moral quality. It is what you
are when you are alone. In contrast to personality, this is the expression of
ourselves to others. How often times do we display a different personality from
the real character within us? Ideally, these two should coincide i.e. our
personality should express our character!
 
This moral quality or character of ours could be acquired and developed. Our
present state is the result of several influences which evolves around our
lives. We shall take a look at some of them :
 
1. Built-In Moral Standards & Conscience
   Gen 1:26-27 says we are all created in the image of God. Therefore we have a
   built-in sense of right and wrong.
 
2. Childhood Training/Experience
   The love, discipline, instructions and examples we received impact us. The
   way our parents treated us helped form our present character.
   Eli in the book of Samuel was a good illustration. Thought a priest of
   Israel, he was greedy and self-indulgent. Hardly an example of a life of
   self-discipline. (1 Sam 2:29). Not surprising his sons followed in his steps
 
   But there's good news! God is our Father now, a good example to follow. We
   could inherit his nature according to 2 Peter 1:4. Eph 5:1 also said we cld
  all be imitators of God for we are His children.
 
3. Temperament - this is a combination of inner characteristics inherited from
   our parents. E.g. being an introvert, extrovert, talkative, loner, creative
   or thoughtful. This part of us can be changed too. I have personally
   experience this when I fully gave my life to Jesus! (2 Peter 1:3-4)
   "....His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness
   through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
   Through these He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that
   through them you may participate in the divine nature. The point here is
   when we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit begins to stimulate growth of
   such qualities within us. The Christlikeness qualities are never instant,
   but a lifelong process and the best time to start is Now!

So, I challenge you today, set a benchmark of new standards of living for your
lives according to His Word for this year!

Day 2 - Character Formation II
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1. Clear the Past
   o Forget it!
     2 Cor 5:17 says that when we became a Christian the 'old you' came to an
     end, buried in our baptism and should be left there! A 'new you' came into
     being and we are free from the shackles of the past.
     To forget in this context does not mean to erase from the memory. It
     simply means to refuse to dwell on those issues any more for they have
     been dealt with at the cross. Phil 3:13-14 states this clearly-forgetting
     what's behind you but pressing forward towards the goal of His high
     calling. Your goal and my goal right now is to be Christlike!
   o Believe that 'iniquity' is dealt with.
     Another word the Bible uses for sin is iniquity. As a believer when we
     confess with our mouth and accept Jesus as Lord over our lives,that sinfuf
     nature within us has been surrendered to Him at the cross. We now have a
     new family lineage! We could now continue to claim our deliverance and
     break free for better things from Him.
2. Start Thinking God's Way
   This means becoming single-minded for God. Anchor that thought-life firmly
   into Him. Matt 6:33 says "seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteous
   -ness. Rom 12;2 also reminds us "do not be conform to the world but be ye
   transformed through the renewing of the mind that ye may prove what the will
   of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
 
   Transformation can only be experience by the 'renewing of our minds.' Here
   we need to be determined to reject all worldly values such as ..'if it feels
   good, do it.' But rather whatever that we decide to do, let us get back to
   what the Word of God says in our every situation of events. Evidently this
   is important because in the world around us today, the worldly values do not
   come to us as glaringly wrong but it comes subtly, without you knowing if
   you do not hv the Word tie around your neck or on tablets of your heart!
3. Sanctify Your Imagination.
   We all have a cinema screen in our heads. How we see ourselves in these
   films is constantly shaping our character. What you see is what you are
   becoming. So it is vital to let the Lord into this area of your thinking.
   (Prov 23:7)
   We read this in Num 13 about the 12 spies of Israel. of the 12 who were sent
   out to spy the land, only 2 (Joshua & Caleb) came back with good reports,
   despite of what they physically saw with their natural sight - the giants of
   the land! These 2 let the promises of God dictate both their faith and the
   mental films they watched. Because of that, they are able to enter the land
   in victory!
 
Are there any obvious areas of weakness in our lives that we need to surrender
to God and ask Him to help us tackle it? Let the Holy Spirit constantly search
the bottom of our hearts to ensure that's it's pure, that it'll follows hard
after the Lord. Amen!