Character
Continuing the journey toward “looking like Jesus” as His disciple…
Jesus’ first disciples looked like Jesus by reflecting Jesus’ character which exceeded their ability of good intentions or personal effort. We conclude to reflect Jesus means we must “act better” because, after all, a disciple is one who sits under, learns from, and imitates the teacher. However, this line of thinking fails to reflect true disciples of Jesus because we will only “act better” so long as we maintain that focus. Think about “New Year’s Resolutions” such as exercising more, losing weight, spending more time in prayer, etc. When our focus shifts or an external element “steals” our focus such as what the disciples experienced while on the water when a sudden storm rolled in or when Peter began sinking after walking on the water or that night when Jesus was arrested, we revert back to our old line of living/thinking and cease reflecting Jesus.
Actually reflecting Jesus requires a character change within us all. This internal change is really a transformation of who we were to who we are becoming. Our transformation to a new character is only possible by our hunger and thirst for the kingdom of heaven, such as the moment a new born infant enters this world seeking to be fed and cuddled.
It took some time, but the first disciples found their character transformed. They acted better while walking with Jesus, but they were forever changed once they truly recognized, accepted, and embraced the reality of Jesus.
Have you found your character transformed beyond your ability to simply “act better”?
Have I?