Character determines revelation. -Oswald Chambers

Does that thought bring an “Uh-oh” or an “Amen”?

Oswald Chambers tells us character affects the degree to which God reveals Himself, His will, and His ways to us. 

Character displays our obedience factor. It reminds me of Philippians 2:13, how God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. Character demonstrates the degree to which we cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts. 

Paul instructed us in character building in Romans 12:1-2:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Yield: Give It Up

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 

Give up your rights to yourself. Why? In light of God’s mercy, there should be no limit to what we would do for Him. How does God view such an offering? Holy. Pleasing. True and proper worship. Wow! More than raising hands in praise. More than church attendance. More than tithing.

True, proper, holy, pleasing. Climb up on that altar.

Don’t Conform: Say No to Play-doh

Do not conform to the pattern of this world.

This verse makes me think of Play-doh and how we press the Play-doh against a mold to make a pattern. Are we marked by the world’s values, its mindset, or its methods? Paul said don’t allow yourself to be molded by the world’s system. Say no to the Play-doh.

Transform: From Caterpillars to Butterflies

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Transformation implies change—the permanent kind. How? By renewing your mind. What are you feeding your mind these days? Study your diet. What do you read? Watch? Hear? Are you giving your mind a healthy diet or a bunch of junk food? Think Transformers and Optimus Prime.

Then—

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

After yielding your rights, refusing to conform to the world, and spiritually transforming through the Holy Spirit, then comes revelation. Not only will we know God’s will, but it will be good, pleasing, and perfect. It will withstand any test. 

Character determines revelation. What has God revealed lately?

Workout for the Week: Character-Driven

Memory Verse: For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

Meditation Passage: Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Do It: Watch for revelation.