When we are children of God, we chose to live a life of truth. This daily devotional looks at the characteristics that make up that life.
Nuggets
- Having God at the heart level creates an openness within us that affects how we interact with others.
- We have an openness because we are no longer pulled between two conflicting masters.
- We have an openness because our faith and trust in Christ gives us courage to face whatever is presented us in this life and not denounce the our faith in Christ.
- We have an openness because, in striving to have the character of God, we are people of integrity.
The foundation of this devotion is a sermon that I found while researching another devotion. I threw it in the drafts folder to wait until a time when I could do it more Justice.
This is the time.
The sermon is entitled Truth by Temple. To me, it talks more of the characteristics we are to have when we walk in a life of truth.
Let’s see what we can learn.
Resource
The Openness of the Light
“The characteristic of such a life is in the first place that openness which is described by St. John when he says that such a man ‘cometh to the light?’” (Temple)
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (Jn. 8: 12 ESV).
Having God at the heart level creates an openness within us that affects how we interact with others.
What really caught my eye was the concept of openness. Let’s deal with the light first.
Jesus is the Light.
What Jesus brings us is light to replace the darkness of sin. He frees us from the disease of sin.
When Jesus begins removing all the crud from our lives, there is this load that is removed. That opens us up so that joy may come in.
The joy makes us not want to hide or lie about things. We live so that others can see God’s love working within us.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
Simplicity of Purpose
“The characteristic which goes along with that is the simplicity of purpose which marks the man; because the man who has two purposes, generally speaking, desires to put one in front and keep the other behind.” (Temple)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Mt. 6: 24 ESV)
We have an openness because we are no longer pulled between two conflicting masters.
When we live a life of truth, we follow God in all aspects of our lives. This makes it much simpler.
Yes, we still live here with the worldview reigning in this world. We still have our sinful flesh.
But when we put our focus on God and get it down to the heart level, it is less complicated and more sincere in following God.
We don’t have opposing end goals. Our one main purpose is to please God.
A Purpose Fosters Courage
“A further characteristic of such a character is courage. He is the truly brave man. As he has but one purpose he is never ashamed to confess it, and is he who, at all moments, in spite of all opposition, and in spite of quiet contempt and indifference, is never ashamed of Christ, never ashamed to say that he is a Christian, never ashamed to refuse to join what he knows his Master has condemned.” (Temple)
“For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Lk. 9: 26 ESV)
We have an openness because our faith and trust in Christ gives us courage to face whatever is presented us in this life and not denounce the our faith in Christ.
Because we are not torn between God and this world, we are more comfortable with our purpose in this world. That gives us peace, which gives us courage to be witnesses for Christ.
That also gives us peace when we have to go through persecution. Jesus told us we would face persecution. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (II Tim. 3: 12 ESV).
We have to find courage in Jesus when we are discriminated against and physically harmed for our faith in Jesus.
We can’t be ashamed of Christ as our Savior. We should not feel we have to justify our faith.
We should boldly proclaim our belief in Jesus as Savior and God as Sovereign Lord.
Trustworthy in Service
“The characteristic of the man who is really true in his service to the true Lord, is that he is thoroughly trustworthy.” (Temple)
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out” (Prov. 10: 9 ESV)
We have an openness because, in striving to have the character of God, we are people of integrity.
When we truly strive to imitate God, we walk in integrity. Our strong moral principles are God’s spiritual graces.
We give our service solely in the way God calls. We don’t just sit back and let religion lead.
We strengthen our relationship with God by actively working for Him.
Making the Connections
“… because most assuredly the choice by our Lord and by St. John of such a word as ‘truth,’ to be the special description of the Christian life, lays upon Christians a tenfold responsibility in regard to truth of speech, of not allowing the Christian name to be lowered by giving way to all the many temptations which surround everyone to swerve from exact fact, not allowing at any time the tongue to betray the soul by uttering that which is not true, and true all through; never allowing, for instance, the impulse of vanity to make a man say a word which will bring praise to himself which he does not really deserve; never allowing, in the very slightest degree, a word to pass the lips which shall claim for us a higher Christian rank than we deserve, or any grace which we do not possess.” (Temple)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (Jn. 14: 6 ESV)
Christian life is described by the word truth. There are several reasons.
An attribute of God is that He is Truth. God is both the true God and truth itself.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
Because God is truth, we want to be true to Him. We do not want to allow “… the Christian name to be lowered by giving way to all the many temptations …”
We strive to be pure in God’s eyes.
Resource
How Do We Apply This?
“Never can it be said of any true child of God that he shall be found wanting in that elementary truth which, even in those who believe not, may yet be found, and give them a standing in the eyes of all.” (Temple)
In order to not be found wanting, we need to be true children of God. We do this by ABCDing and then walking with God. Walking with God as humble, reverent, teachable servants secures our sanctification.
Glossary
Sanctification is the transformation of mind, body, and soul, which begins with regeneration, gradually changes our nature and morals through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and ends with perfected state of spiritual wholeness or completeness.
- Regeneration is being changed from spiritually dead to spiritually alive and the internal new birth and requickening that God brings about through the work of the Holy Spirit to give us new character.
- Spiritual death is the separation from God that occurred as a consequence of Adam and Eve’s original sin.
- The spiritually alive are those who have ABCDed, so they are no longer separated from God.
- Spiritual death is the separation from God that occurred as a consequence of Adam and Eve’s original sin.
- Perfection means we reach a state of maturity because the combination of the spiritual graces form, when all are present, spiritual wholeness or completeness — holy, sanctified, and righteous.
- Spiritual graces are worldly morals that have been submitted to God to further His kingdom instead of enhancing this world.
- Sanctified means to be set free from sin.
- Righteous means we are free from sin because we are following God’s moral laws.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
Glossary
Father God. We want to be Your children, children of light. We submit to being humble, reverent, teachable servants. Sanctify us, oh Lord, so that we can be pleasing in Your sight. Amen.
What do you think?
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