God’s Character in Us

Many of us have a desire to be godly and to have God’s character in us, but often we don’t know what that really looks like. We may default to our own understanding, and try to act it out to the best of our ability. But maybe we don’t see the wholeness of God’s kingdom working and flowing in our lives bringing His good fruit. Others of us may try to follow the traditions of men to obtain righteousness, we may follow the ordinances of the law, our church, or denomination to the letter yet we find ourselves getting burned out and weary in well-doing.

Why is that?

Because God wants to join us by His Holy Spirit to grow us up and lead us to all good things.

He wants to form us into His image – to develop His character in us.

Here’s the problem

For many of us, our understanding of His image or even of who we think He is may not be entirely accurate. It can be skewed by what we’ve been taught by people who may have not properly represented Him to us. That is why we need to search the Word of God for ourselves with the desire to know His heart, His will, and His ways.

What is God’s character?

Galatians 5 gives us a very concise list of the attributes of God’s character. Many of us are so familiar with the fruit of the Spirit that we could recite them inside-out and backward. That’s great, but that doesn’t mean that we really understand them or that they are really present in our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

Is this fruit a part of your character?

Love:

Are you able to love without reserve and without any expectations of reciprocation?

4 Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth… 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 KJV

Joy and Peace:

Do you have joy and peace in your heart, even through the struggles, expecting that God is going to come through for you?

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4 KJV

Longsuffering:

How about longsuffering? There is so much to this one – a faithful endurance with and for others hoping for the good fruit of God to be developed in their lives but enduring with them for the long-haul in their struggles towards that prize. It’s a selfless act of serving for another’s good.

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 KJV

Gentleness:

As you able to be gentle to those who are in need of correction and represent our Father’s heart of love and compassion towards them?

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV

Goodness:

Do you repay others with good and maintain an attitude of forgiveness even when they try to speak evil towards you?

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45 KJV

Faith:

Does your faith stand unwavering when it seems like there is no good thing, and the waves of life are trying to overwhelm you?

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6 KJV

Meekness:

Are you able to walk in meekness – submitting your heart, your ways, and your understanding continually to God to form and direct you?

9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD [are] mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:9-10 KJV

Temperance:

How about temperance? Are you able to use moderation in all things including that favorite snack that you just want to curl up on the couch with right now and binge watch Netflix with?

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand. Philippians 4:5 KJV

Is this even possible?

Yes, it is! But first, God wants to change your perspective; you have to untangle our identity from what you do, your job, how well you perform, or any of the other worldly standards of human identity and value. And you need to re-establish your identity in God; in who He is in you and in who you are in Him – that is where you will discover who He created you to be.

Do you have a desire to grow up in this?

If you do, take heart, and don’t let yourself be discouraged. Start with asking God to help you develop patient endurance in your heart through your journey as He begins to help you to grow up into His image and His character. Be willing to seek Him daily – seek His heart, His will, and His ways. And maintain a heart of meekness that is open and willing to receive His guidance, direction, and correction.

We’re here to help!

Making the choice that you want to pursue God’s best for you is a big leap, and we at Be in Health^® want to come alongside you and encourage you on your journey.

That’s why Pastor Scott Harper is teaching a complete one-day conference on this topic entitled, God’s Character and Who Am I In It. He dives into what God’s character is according to Galatians 5 and how we can be formed into it ourselves.

Be prepared to be challenged, encouraged, and inspired. Pastor Scott will present this must-know information in a straight forward but honest way, using examples from his own journey through successes and struggles.

Blessings,

The Be in Health Team

This is a conference is now available on CD!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE!

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