God’s Power Helps Us Change Our Character
If you have ever attended a county fair or an amusement park, then you are familiar with the Bumper Cars. These two-person cars (if the two are tiny) are designed for the pure fun of “bumping” into one another. Not long ago, while enjoying a weekend in Tennessee, I observed family members driving these “bumper” cars as they enjoyed the opportunity of “bumping” into one another’s car but causing no harm. All in the name of fun, this pleasure allows us to drive as demolition car drivers, ramming our cars into others, car after car. Yet in these tiny “bumper” cars, we do not cause any damage to the car or the person (as demolition cars do) because these tiny cars move ever-so slowly, fully surrounded by “bumpers” that prevent damage.
Truly I believe we need “bumpers” on our bodies as we go through this life. Yes, that’s right. We need “bumpers” on—
- Our thoughts about others &
- Our mouths as we speak aloud our words &
- Our minds as we take in the words others speak directly to us.
As we daily “bump” into one another, we often hurt others as “demolition” car drivers.
In the Bible, the apostle Peter, a quite rash-acting fellow who knew first-hand what it meant to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, provides us a formula for change we so desperately need.
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence,
(The 2nd Letter of Peter 1: 5-6 NASB)
in your faith supply moral excellence,
[make every effort to add to your faith the goodness of God]
and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
[make every effort to add to your goodness, the knowledge of Jesus]
and in your knowledge, self-control,
[make every effort to add to your understanding of Jesus, allowing Him to be in control]
and in your self-control, perseverance,
[day-after-day-after-day give your control of self to the Savior]
and in your perseverance,
[in these qualities of Jesus, display]
godliness,”
Oh my, what a list, and the apostle Peter is not even finished. To help us absorb the full-load of what the LORD is speaking through His servant Peter, it might be good to pause and listen to the melody:
“Fishes and Loaves” by Josiah Queen. These beautiful lyrics speak of our personal need to allow our LORD to be in control.
Shortly after listing “godliness,” the apostle Peter continues his formula-list for change we so desperately need, and then he tells us why.
“and in your godliness, brotherly kindness,
(The 2nd Letter of Peter 1: 7-8 NASB)
[make every effort to add the kindness of Jesus to your godliness]
and in your brotherly kindness, love.
[& as you are making every effort possible to add the kindness of Jesus,
then love others as Jesus Himself taught you to LOVE]
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing,
they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Let’s be honest. It’s difficult to change.
Why? It is because we like who we have become. As we live inside our outer skin, we often begin to believe we are the best version of ourselves.
However, others disagree, and as Shakespeare’s character Hamlet stated: “Ay, there’s the rub.” meaning “Therein lies the difficulty,” because we are a long way from perfection. In fact, in other Bible verses, we are reminded how we are being saved & being sanctified & being transformed to become more like Jesus, as we walk toward our glorification that will occur when Jesus returns individually for us.
So, maybe after reading these verses of the Bible, we think:
We’re saved; we’re okay; and we’re ready to go home to heaven.
Peter ends this discourse (this formula for change) with a dire reminder.
“For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted,
(The 2nd Letter of Peter 1: 9-11 NASB)
having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
Therefore, brethren,
[therefore, redeemed children of God]
be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;
for as long as you practice these things,
you will never stumble;
for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”
Truthfully, there are some qualities Peter recorded that we display quite easily, but honestly, there are just some qualities listed that give us struggle.
That’s why we need the help of Jesus.
Have the courage to “let go and let God” have complete control—
- of your emotions,
- of your relationships,
- of your career,
- of your home,
- of your marriage,
- of your future,
- of your entire self, &
- of your everything.
As we draw closer to His character—we are becoming more like Jesus.
- Isn’t that our goal?
- Hasn’t that been our plan since we first gave our heart to Jesus?
Every decision, every word, every thought, every moment of every day—God’s Power Helps Us Change Our Character.