The word for this week is "character"! Some of the Dictionary definitions for character are:
- the features and traits that form the individual nature of a person
- moral qualities, ethical standards, principles
- set of qualities that make someone distinctive
- public reputation
48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 19:21:
21 Jesus answered him, If you would be perfect [that is, have the spiritual maturity which accompanies self-sacrificing character], go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; and come, be My disciple [side with My party and follow Me].
Colossians 4:12:
12 Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, send you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God.
James 3:2:
2 For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
The word "perfect" here is the Greek word "teleiotes", which means: complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character); completeness;of full age (according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). Brought to its end, finished; lacking nothing necessary to completeness; perfect (according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon). Comparatively used of the very presence of God (according to Vine's Expository Dictionary).
The call of God for our lives, and the standard that He sets, is perfection! Ephesians 4:13:
13 [That it might develop] until we attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.
God is pleased when we make that our goal, too! Not that we will EVER attain it in THIS life, but being on the right path that is heading in the right direction - towards HIM and HIS way of doing and being right - is the important thing! WHEN we miss it, get right back up and go again! The key to BECOMING more like Him is spending time in His Word, getting to know Him! Then we have this promise in 1 John 3:2:
KJV
In the meantime, we keep heading in the right direction! You already have many of His characteristics in the way you love and provide for your family, operate in integrity at work and in your personal life, have and show compassion for other people, your willingness to learn from the Word of God; and that is just from someone who hasn't spent a great deal of time with you yet! So be encouraged that you are doing well, and exhorted that we can ALL keep getting better and better! Here is a song from Hillsong called "We Will See Him":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
