Three Truths for God’s Perspective on Developing Christian Character.

Many times as believers we can fail to see that God has His own perspective on how The character of Christ is developed in us. Through The Gospel He has provided everything we need for life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). I want to thank you for taking a quick look at three truths for the perspective God has for helping you to develop His character in your life.

We are united with God. 1 Corinthians 6:17 "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." When we are born again, The Spirit of God comes and joins Himself to us. He gives power, guidance, and comfort beyond all human understanding. I believe God wanted us to be with Him so much that /he made a way to be with us from the moment we believed The Gospel through all of eternity. Many people ask God to bless them with His presence. The truth is, you have His presence and He will never leave you or forsake you.

Many Christians believe that they must do something special or perform their Christianity in a certain way to be "in the Spirit." The Bible declares that those that are saved are always in the Spirit and nothing can change that. What we need to realize is that we are living the Christian life because we are in the Spirit. Romans 8:8-9 "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

We can ascertain as the children of God that are indwelt with The Holy Spirit that we can have victory and walk after the Spirit and not walk after the flesh. Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Our focus is indeed on the power that the indwelling Spirit of Christ performs in us. The guidance of The Holy Spirit does so much to develop the character of Jesus in our behavior and attitudes. Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Keep your focus on Jesus and his indwelling Spirit!

Your sins are completely forgiven. Colossians 2:13 "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"

Ephesians 4:31-32 "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

In both of the above verses of scripture God refers to your sins as being taken care of in the past tense. He blotted out even the handwriting of laws and ordinances that were against you. When Jesus died, your old nature and sin died with Him. When we believe on the finished work of Jesus Christ for us on the cross we are saying that the cross was enough for all time. Jesus offered one sacrifice and it was good for all of your sins, forever.

1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

Honor Jesus finished work for you by realizing you have everything you need in Jesus. Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

Jesus offers an enormous benefit package of blessings with Salvation. It is sad to me to think that we often perceive our blessings from God as being based on our own performance. All spiritual blessings are given to us because of our faith in Christ and what He has done. Enough of this prosperity gospel, and get real with God. Jesus was enough and you weren't. What makes us think that our performance in our personal "righteousness" can merit anything from God.

Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

I love the word freely. It is my favorite price for anything. Especially all things. God is pouring out His attitude towards us. God is tripping over Himself to tell us that He has given us everything we need! He wants to pour out His blessing on us, and He does!

2 Peter 1:3 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"

God has literally given us everything we need for life and godliness through Jesus. If great Christian character is what you seek, then you are looking for Jesus and nothing more! Let us not add to or take away from that message. Jesus is enough.