In Praise of Godly Character
01/03/09 15:56
I have always believed
that if you bump a glass of milk –milk will
spill out. The book of Romans tells us that the
trials in our lives develop perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character,
hope. Someone else
succinctly said, “That when life
“bumps” a person, what is in the person,
comes out. As a minister of over twenty years I have
witnessed these two truths time and again; some with
great joy and others with disappointment. Please, do
not misunderstand; the joy was for those who
displayed godly character, knowing that God was using
their trial for their good. Likewise, the
disappointment was for those who had missed their
opportunity to grow in their Christian faith
(obedience to God’s Word always causes growth).
These truths have been witnessed by me again this last week through an incident in Debbie Frye’s life and, with her permission, I want to relate to you the application of these truths in our sister. Debbie had been teaching the children on Wednesday for a little over a year now. She had also gone through a severe trial in her life that she still has to deal with from time to time. I had been watching her for the last month or two and came to the decision that she needed a break from the responsibility of teaching the children.
So, last Sunday after service, I informed her that I was going to relieve her from teaching for the time being. She was not given the opportunity to decide for herself whether she thought she could continue teaching or take a rest –I decided that for her. Right here, folks, is where the test comes. Right here is the crossroads of decision; am I going to act according to my human nature or am I going to allow God’s Word to direct my life? I realized that my decision would affect Debbie’s pride and ego; I had “bumped” Debbie.
Now, came the test for our Sister. Would she get mad and leave the Church, complaining that I had no right to do that to her? Or, would she see the bigger picture, that life didn’t revolve around her. Well, that next Wednesday evening came and Debbie let me know of her displeasure! She was mad and stewed most of the evening. I told her that I loved her and that I hoped that she wasn’t so mad that she wouldn’t talk to me. She remained silent! I have seen Christian much growth in our sister since she came to Word Worship Center. I know that she knows that I do love her with all the love that God is able to show through me. (I know that that isn’t very much at times. Please forgive me.)
So I called Debbie and left a message on her phone. She called the next day and we talked. She began angry and hurt and said that I was “taking” her children from her. I said that I was not “taking” her children, but that my intention was to give her a rest. My hopes were that she would come back stronger and be a better teacher through these circumstances. I told her that she was going to have to trust me in this decision. Another crossroads of decision for Debbie.
Debbie trusted and our conversation ensued with Christ’s love evident in both of our lives. I am blessed to tell you that our sister has shown godly character and she persevered through the struggle of her “old man” demanding its own way. Debbie was “bumped” and Christ’s character ultimately came out. Therefore, Debbie can see, (and my prayer is that all of us can) that Jesus Christ dwells in her, the hope of glory!
I might add this as well: In Debbie’s anger, she thought that she was done teaching – period. In reality, she was only getting a break from teaching. If she would have remained in her anger, her life would have gone down a different path, and she would have missed the opportunity to bless God down the road. But, because she desired for Christ’s glory and God’s will over her own, she will be given the blessing to teach again down the road. Brethren, may the Spirit if Christ dwell richly in your hearts, so that you may be truly blessed in this wicked and perverse generation.
Have a great week! Pastor Jim
These truths have been witnessed by me again this last week through an incident in Debbie Frye’s life and, with her permission, I want to relate to you the application of these truths in our sister. Debbie had been teaching the children on Wednesday for a little over a year now. She had also gone through a severe trial in her life that she still has to deal with from time to time. I had been watching her for the last month or two and came to the decision that she needed a break from the responsibility of teaching the children.
So, last Sunday after service, I informed her that I was going to relieve her from teaching for the time being. She was not given the opportunity to decide for herself whether she thought she could continue teaching or take a rest –I decided that for her. Right here, folks, is where the test comes. Right here is the crossroads of decision; am I going to act according to my human nature or am I going to allow God’s Word to direct my life? I realized that my decision would affect Debbie’s pride and ego; I had “bumped” Debbie.
Now, came the test for our Sister. Would she get mad and leave the Church, complaining that I had no right to do that to her? Or, would she see the bigger picture, that life didn’t revolve around her. Well, that next Wednesday evening came and Debbie let me know of her displeasure! She was mad and stewed most of the evening. I told her that I loved her and that I hoped that she wasn’t so mad that she wouldn’t talk to me. She remained silent! I have seen Christian much growth in our sister since she came to Word Worship Center. I know that she knows that I do love her with all the love that God is able to show through me. (I know that that isn’t very much at times. Please forgive me.)
So I called Debbie and left a message on her phone. She called the next day and we talked. She began angry and hurt and said that I was “taking” her children from her. I said that I was not “taking” her children, but that my intention was to give her a rest. My hopes were that she would come back stronger and be a better teacher through these circumstances. I told her that she was going to have to trust me in this decision. Another crossroads of decision for Debbie.
Debbie trusted and our conversation ensued with Christ’s love evident in both of our lives. I am blessed to tell you that our sister has shown godly character and she persevered through the struggle of her “old man” demanding its own way. Debbie was “bumped” and Christ’s character ultimately came out. Therefore, Debbie can see, (and my prayer is that all of us can) that Jesus Christ dwells in her, the hope of glory!
I might add this as well: In Debbie’s anger, she thought that she was done teaching – period. In reality, she was only getting a break from teaching. If she would have remained in her anger, her life would have gone down a different path, and she would have missed the opportunity to bless God down the road. But, because she desired for Christ’s glory and God’s will over her own, she will be given the blessing to teach again down the road. Brethren, may the Spirit if Christ dwell richly in your hearts, so that you may be truly blessed in this wicked and perverse generation.
Have a great week! Pastor Jim
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