Human effort alone isn't going to manufacture the character of God in your life because the character of God can't be produced by your flesh. It's only created in you by the Spirit of God.
You get into the presence of God, and His Spirit begins to re-shape your heart and your mind and your motives and your thoughts and your attitudes so that you begin to take on His character.
But you have to stay in the process of allowing God to work inside of you. If you surrender to Christ, He will ultimately produce these things in you and me.
But it isn't always easy and some folks end up quitting the process.
There were some who were part of our church just a year ago -- on fire for God -- fully devoted to Him -- serving Him like crazy -- but for whatever reason circumstances happened and it got too hard, too much, too long, and they just flat-out quit. They aren't here today and they aren't serving God today.
That isn't me judging anyone; I love them.
But if you asked them, 'Do you believe in God?' they'd say, 'Sure I do. Why are you even asking me that?'
They believe in God, but they're not in the process of the Spirit. They quit.
Proverbs 20:6 - "There are many who will say, 'I am loyal,' but can anyone find a man who is really faithful?" (MSG)
Don't quit Jesus.
And be blessed.
You get into the presence of God, and His Spirit begins to re-shape your heart and your mind and your motives and your thoughts and your attitudes so that you begin to take on His character.
But you have to stay in the process of allowing God to work inside of you. If you surrender to Christ, He will ultimately produce these things in you and me.
But it isn't always easy and some folks end up quitting the process.
'Don't quit Jesus.'
There were some who were part of our church just a year ago -- on fire for God -- fully devoted to Him -- serving Him like crazy -- but for whatever reason circumstances happened and it got too hard, too much, too long, and they just flat-out quit. They aren't here today and they aren't serving God today.
That isn't me judging anyone; I love them.
But if you asked them, 'Do you believe in God?' they'd say, 'Sure I do. Why are you even asking me that?'
They believe in God, but they're not in the process of the Spirit. They quit.
Proverbs 20:6 - "There are many who will say, 'I am loyal,' but can anyone find a man who is really faithful?" (MSG)
Don't quit Jesus.
And be blessed.