What is character? Character is a distinctive trait, quality or attribute. 2) An essential quality; nature 3) the pattern or behavior or personality found in an individual or group; moral constitution 4) Moral strength; self-discipline, fortitude
The definition above describes our Lord and King Jesus precisely. His character was consistent to who He is and was while He was here on this earth.
There are those who claim to know the Lord Jesus and His Father yet fail to possess His character. Sadly, when they are people who have placed themselves in a position of religious leadership and as representatives of the Lord Jesus, they hinder others from embracing the Kingdom message. Those who don’t possess the Spirit of the Lord God, aren’t the sons of God. Ambassador Paul made that quite clear in his statement to the saints in Rome: Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. By the way, notice it is the Spirit of the Lord God that makes all the difference. You cannot do it in your own strength. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
When you possess the Spirit of the Lord God in your mortal body, it gives you the assurance that you belong to the Kingdom family. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” for His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
It is the Holy Spirit that makes you a legitimate child of the King; not your works, not the money you give nor the church you attend. It is only through our Governor—the Holy Spirit—sent to us by the Lord Jesus that allows us to be children in the Kingdom of God. We are then heirs in His royal family. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. NLJV
The Holy Spirit doesn’t force, or make, you do anything you don’t want to do. You have a choice. If that were the case, Satan would still be in heaven; but he chose to rebel against the Lord God. The Lord Jesus alluded to that incident of rebellion: When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
“Yes,” He told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!”
If we believe we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be led by Him. Do you have His characteristics? Do you show everyday signs of His presence, leading you? What are you reflecting? Here are some attributes of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Your character should always reflect the characteristics of your King. If your master is Satan, you will reflect his character and his behavior in your life. Those who have the character of the Lord Jesus, are led by His Spirit. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. If we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit, we will know what and who to avoid.
Remember, your greatest asset in the Kingdom of God is your faith in His Word.
Romans 8:14; 5; 14-17 Luke 10:17-19 Galatians 5:22-23 Ephesians 5:1-7 All NLT except where noted.
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
The definition above describes our Lord and King Jesus precisely. His character was consistent to who He is and was while He was here on this earth.
There are those who claim to know the Lord Jesus and His Father yet fail to possess His character. Sadly, when they are people who have placed themselves in a position of religious leadership and as representatives of the Lord Jesus, they hinder others from embracing the Kingdom message. Those who don’t possess the Spirit of the Lord God, aren’t the sons of God. Ambassador Paul made that quite clear in his statement to the saints in Rome: Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. By the way, notice it is the Spirit of the Lord God that makes all the difference. You cannot do it in your own strength. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
When you possess the Spirit of the Lord God in your mortal body, it gives you the assurance that you belong to the Kingdom family. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” for His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
It is the Holy Spirit that makes you a legitimate child of the King; not your works, not the money you give nor the church you attend. It is only through our Governor—the Holy Spirit—sent to us by the Lord Jesus that allows us to be children in the Kingdom of God. We are then heirs in His royal family. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. NLJV
The Holy Spirit doesn’t force, or make, you do anything you don’t want to do. You have a choice. If that were the case, Satan would still be in heaven; but he chose to rebel against the Lord God. The Lord Jesus alluded to that incident of rebellion: When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
“Yes,” He told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!”
If we believe we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be led by Him. Do you have His characteristics? Do you show everyday signs of His presence, leading you? What are you reflecting? Here are some attributes of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Your character should always reflect the characteristics of your King. If your master is Satan, you will reflect his character and his behavior in your life. Those who have the character of the Lord Jesus, are led by His Spirit. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. If we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit, we will know what and who to avoid.
Remember, your greatest asset in the Kingdom of God is your faith in His Word.
Romans 8:14; 5; 14-17 Luke 10:17-19 Galatians 5:22-23 Ephesians 5:1-7 All NLT except where noted.
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
