Character - The Exercise of Faith

Character of the Flesh:
Following accepted cultural rules,
Doing good deeds that others see, appreciate and respect,
Being what is considered normal,
Doing what is considered polite,
Pleasing "good" men,
Following all rules that are "good" men's ideas of what is acceptable.

Character of the Heart, (Spirit):
Loving others unconditionally,
Having a base of joy that does not fade, rooted in the knowledge of His sure deliverance,
Having peace that passes understanding in circumstances which are annoying or dire,
Having patience that flows from the possession of that peace,
Exhibiting gentleness and goodness that flows from His love and understanding of the needs of others,
Having humility that flows from our understanding of our own nothingness,
Possessing faith that has been given by God that makes possible the reality of the fruits of the Spirit and the character of Christ.

...

When you are at work, are you walking fast and looking worried or resting in His all-sufficiency?

When you are gathered with your brothers and sisters in Christ, are you looking and acting as they would expect, or are you enjoying the presence of the One Who is in the midst?

While scrutinizing someone's behavior are you focusing on the character of the flesh while unwittingly overlooking the character of the Spirit in them?

When you advise someone on right behavior, are you teaching them to prove that they are enough through right activity instead proving that He is enough though the exercise of their faith?


Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.  2 Cor. 4:18 Amp.