Best corrective for pride

“The best corrective against pride … is to know God, His character and the truth about Him.” - Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Pride is something that many of us struggle with. It is one of the 7 deadly sins but is often subtlety working itself out in the background of our lives, while we aren't aware of it. We think we have a handle on it, but it can rear its ugly head so quickly, wrecking its own path of destruction. 

I think that what Martyn Lloyd-Jones suggests, as a corrective measure against pride, is very helpful. We can't 'will' our pride away, but the more time we spend in the presence of Jesus, the more our pride will be put in its proper place. We see no pride in Jesus and so when we rest at his feet, our nature will be shaped by the character of God.

Philippians 2:5 - "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

When is our character revealed?

How do we get to develop our character? Is it only in the good times or do we truly begin to see our character in the difficult moments of our lives?

"Character may be manifested in great moments but it is made in small ones." - Phillip Brooks

1 Peter 5:15 - Don’t let your character be moulded by the desires of your ignorant days, but be holy in every department of your lives, for the one who has called you is himself holy. 

What do you think of this in light of your character?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Character versus reputation

If ever you wondered if there was a difference between the Character of a person and their Reputation, perhaps these words will help you reflect on which is more valuable.

"The circumstances amid which you live determines your reputation; the truth you believe determines your character.

Reputation is what you are supposed to be; character is what you are.
Reputation is the photograph; character is the face.

Reputation comes over one from without; character grows up from within.
Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; character is what you have when you go away.
Your reputation is learned in an hour; your character does not come to light for a year.
Reputation is made in a moment; character is built in a lifetime.
Reputation grows like a mushroom; character grows like the oak.
A single newspaper report gives you your reputation; a life of toil gives you your character.
Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor; character makes you happy or makes you miserable.
Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone;
character is what angels say about you before the throne of God. (William Hersey Davis)

Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands

Living in Grace

D3LM3

When character is lost, all is lost

Billy Graham was born on the 7th November 1918 and has arguably impacted the lives of more people than almost any other Christian leader. On this day I would like to remember the incredible legacy he left our faith and the many words of wisdom he offered to all believers. 

"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost."

"I am not going to Heaven because I have preached to great crowds or read the Bible many times. I'm going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: 'Lord, remember me.'

"Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ."

Today, the quote that speaks to me the most is the first one. Which one stands out for you?

Acts 17:11 - "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The character of a person

Jesus always treated people with dignity. Even if people disagreed with him, or even if Jesus challenged them, he could never be accused of treating people inhumanly. This makes Jesus more than just a good person, this makes him an inspiring leader and a person of deep character. As Simon Sinek comments:

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”

Most of the people who approached Jesus for help could offer him very little in return. However, he still treated them with love and respect. 

This is a great challenge for us. Too often we look down on those who can't give us something in return.

How do you feel about this?

James 3:18 - "You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor." (The Message)

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Do you know God?

Knowing the true character of a person will tell you a lot about their actions. And so if you hear a rumour that a friend or loved one has supposedly acted in a certain way, because you know them well, you would probably second-guess that gossip. In a sense, this is what Jesus is saying to us:

"People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." - Matthew 6:34-36 (Eugene Peterson)

The question for us is this: do we know God and how he works?

And if the answer is yes, then we are invited to steep our lives in God-reality, God-initiative and God-provisions.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Lord gives strength

^"The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to his people;
    the Lord blesses his people with peace." - Psalm 29:10-11

I find this verse very reassuring today. It is our Lord who gives us strength on a daily basis. God grants strength to face the challenges of the day and to  remain on the right track. Let us resolve to rely on God's strength today and not on our own.

Helen Keller once remarked: 

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/strength

And of course, through it all, the Psalmist reminds us that God blesses us with his PEACE.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Don't be impressed ...

"Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character..." - Matthew 7:16 (Message)

Jesus' message is simple and clear. Charisma can lead us down a slippery path, where we are more impressed with the 'outside' than what lies in the heart. The true character of a person will eventually rise to the surface - just wait and see.

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." - Abraham Lincoln

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/character.html

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/character.html

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/character.htmlaracter is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/character.html

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Character, commitment and discipline

Some people choose a KEY word or verse that serves as their focal "Word" for the year. I am not sure if it is always easy to sum up a Mission or Vision statement in a single word, but if you were going to choose 3 words, then the following words would be a great start:

CHARACTER

COMMITMENT

DISCIPLINE

"It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through." - Zig Ziglar

“And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you have a word for the year and you would like to share it please let me know what it is. God bless. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3