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REAL LIFE FOR NOW MINISTRIES



ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A GODLY PERSONALITY



When considering men and women of God found in the Bible we find that each character displayed certain qualities which set them apart from others who were not God’s servants. Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob and Moses, to name a few, had developed Godly personalities and spiritual qualities during their lifetime.
For example, these individuals devoted their lives to serving the true God and endeavored to apply God’s principles daily. In so doing they each reaped spiritual blessings and led successful lives. Abraham and Sarah expressed their strong faith in God by their works. Abel had a heart of righteousness and his offerings (sacrifices) to God were made with a pure motive.
 On the other hand, Cain had nurtured jealousy and became filled with unrighteousness in his heart which led him to kill his brother, Abel, because Abel's works and sacrifices were righteous.
In the case of Noah, he displayed complete obedience to God. At that time it had never rained on earth before. Yet, when God instructed Noah to build an ark due to an impending flood which was to be brought about by God's own hand, Noah had faith in God to the extent that he built the ark. By doing just so as the Bible scripture indicates Noah saved his life and the lives of his family.

Abraham is another outstanding example of faith. God called Abraham His friend. When God tested Abraham's faith and loyalty to God by requesting that he sacrifice his own son Isaac, Abraham was prepared to carry out God's request. Only God, via his angel, stopped Abraham from carrying this out. This indicated what was in Abraham's heart - that he loved God so much that he did not hold back his own son; thereby prefiguring God's ultimate act of love when he sacrificed His own son, Jesus, in order to save many. What of Sarah, how did she show complete faith in God? Sarah had grown old and had been unable to bear children. However, after an angel had foretold that Sarah will conceive a son and that the promised seed would come from Abraham, Sarah (previously called Sarai), demonstrated complete faith and confidence in this promise. Indeed, she became pregnant with Isaac, and God named her Sarah - meaning princess of many nations In her old age, when Sarah had ceased menstruating, she miraculously conceived a child by God's will. This materialised due to Sarah's complete faith in Gods promise and thereby proved that she believed.

 Many years later, Sarah's grandson, Jacob displayed deep appreciation for spiritual matters. Indeed, there were several occasions when Jacob wrestled, even with an angel, in order to gain blessings from God. On one occasion Jacob negotiated with his brother Esau to give away his spiritual inheritance for a bowl of stew. Consequently, Esau gave his spiritual inheritance to Jacob; much to Esau’s own disappointment many years later. In the book of Hebrews God is quoted as saying: "Jacob I loved but Esau I hated, for in exchange of a bowl of stew he gave away his spiritual birthright". Jacob later became father of the nation of Israel, God's chosen people.

Finally, when we consider Moses it seems that he was greatly blessed by God. God is recorded in the Bible as expressing how he felt about Moses. God described Moses as the meekest man in all the earth.  God approved Moses to the extent that God spoke to Moses directly. The Bible states that had Moses not existed God would have spoken through angels, prophets, and visions. However, it was the quality of humility which endeared  God to Moses such that God spoke to Moses and showed His Glory only to him. Subsequently, God chose Moses as leader of His people, the nation of Israel. Moses led God's people from the bondage of slavery to Pharoah, out of Egypt, to the Promised Land wherein Israel was destined to receive great blessings from God's Rulership If we are to tease out the essential qualities or ingredients which identify these faithful people in the past as Godly, what could they be?

Let us consider what each Bible character displayed:

(1) Faith(2) Love(3) Devotion(4) Complete obedience to God(5) Deep appreciation for spiritual blessings(6) Humility

Without the above-mentioned qualities it would be Impossible to please God well. Indeed, these are the essential ingredients necessary to build a Christian personality.

Centuries later,
Jesus displayed the above qualities perfectly which thereby enabled the salvation of Humankind. Such godly qualities are as important now as they were in ancient times. These personality traits formed the spiritual man. Without them, thoseBible characters could not have served God faithfully and receive spiritual blessings.If we were to consider an analogy. Bread, for example, has existed throughout the ages as a staple diet for mankind.
Whilst today we may enjoy a variety of breads, there are still essential ingredients which must be incorporated when making a loaf of bread. Certain essential ingredients include, flour, water, yeast and salt. Without these ingredients, we would not be baking bread but some other food source. As we can see from this analogy, people may inherit different types of personality traits eg. shy, introverted, extroverted, quiet, placid and gregarious. However, certain core traits, which identify a true Christian, must be manifested. These traits or qualities are: faith, love, devotion, complete obedience to God, deep appreciation for spiritual blessings and humility. These personality qualities identify an individual as a spiritual person.
Indeed these constitute the identifying mark of a true Christian. Jesus Christ is our role model as he displayed these qualities perfectly when he walked the earth. We do well to look to Jesus' example in living our
life as true Christians, as His disciples. The above ingredients highlighted are essential if we are to be approved by God. Everything else would appear inconsequential without these essential ingredients of a Godly personality.
Therefore, if we wish to have a closer relationship with God and His Son, Jesus, we must exhibit these same core spiritual qualities. Many rich blessings lie in store for all those who love God and have implicit faith in His promises. We are sure to enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life now and in the future when Jesus will govern righteous humans on earth in God’s Kingdom. As Jesus states in John 10:10-11: ...I have come that they might have life and might have it in abundance. I am the fine shepherd, the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep. Let us all continue to grow into the spiritual person who will inherit God’s Kingdom and his righteousness. Amen!




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