Thursday, July 5, 2007

Christian Character: Virtue or Impurity

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

So many people parade their immorality. We are all an influence on someone. We as Christians need to be a positive and godly influence on others.

The virtue of acceptance...We are to conform to a standard...God's standard. God will not force His will on us. But if we're willing then His will can be done. When God saves us a transformation takes place.

We need to be aware that the world can take away our appetite for God if we're not careful. That is why it is so important to abstain from getting involved in the things of this world.

The virtue of acceptance comes when we get saved. God wants to change some things in our lives. We need to be willing to lay down or put away those things that will hinder others from coming to Christ.

There are those who are saved that have lost the "taste" of how good God really is. We need to let God build some real character in us. We need a willingness for this virtue.

I Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." We're to be an example in separation. Not in just one area...but in all areas. II Corinthians 6:14-18 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

If we say we're a Christian...then everything we do and say speaks to this world of the Savior. Even if it is negative. We are the reason some never come to know the Savior...our lives don't portray anything that anybody would want. Shame on us!!

The virtue of abstinence...We need to learn to abstain from some things. I've already said that I know but it is important to repeat. Things that do not honor the Lord are things we need to abstain from. If it isn't something you'd find Jesus doing or saying....then abstain from it.

The virtue of action...We must put those things into action that are of God. God wants to do something in all of us. Are we willing to let Him?

Our lives are to be pure. To be impure is to be out of the will of God. I Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

These are notes taken from a message preached by Bro. Garland Odom on Tuesday morning June 26, 2007 at Faith Baptist Camp.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen.

Rita Loca said...

What can I say but, Amen!!!

TO BECOME said...

You have said all that needs to be said. I agree with it all. connie from Texas

Sis. Julie said...

Thank you ladies. I'm glad this post blessed you like it did me as I was hearing the Man of God preach it.

Susannah said...

Good words! Have a blessed weekend. :~)

Baptist Girl said...

Amen Julie, very well said sis!

Cristina

Jodi said...

Yes ~ yes!! Great post, Julie.

Theresa's Notes said...

As always very good, and I'm always in agreement with you.

Lyndy said...

Great post as usual and full of godly wisdom.

Have a blessed weekend sweet Julie.

Love, Lyndy

Unknown said...

Excellent post and thoughts! Do you teach a Bible or Sunday School class in your church? You SHOULD!!

CindyMae said...

It has been another crazy busy week around here. I have missed you but wanted to come by and say hi! I hope that you had a wonderful 4th. I am working on getting caught up on reading all of your post!

Love In Christ,
Cindy

Sis. Julie said...

e-mom...Praise the Lord!

Sis. Julie said...

cristina...Praise the Lord!

Sis. Julie said...

sis. jodi...Praise the Lord!

Sis. Julie said...

sis. theresa...That's a blessing to know.

Sis. Julie said...

sis. lyndy...All I can say is the wisdom is not mine. I'm copying my notes that I took from Bro. Odom who preached on Christian character in the morning services last week. I'm going to be sharing notes from my favorite and most helpful messages that God had His men preach last week. I'm thankful that so many are gleaning from what I've posted so far.

Sis. Julie said...

sis. pam...I used to teach the teen girls' SS class at my home church years ago. Since then I've not taught except for the nursery age children I have now. My desire and burden is to teach other ladies and/or teen girls though. One day I pray the Lord will let me...we just don't have the space to do so now in our church.

Sis. Julie said...

sis. cindy...I totally understand busy! I'm fixin to be very busy next week. I'll be getting this house cleaned from top to bottom for the girls' graduation reception next Saturday. Its hard when you can't keep up with all the blogs and then you have to catch up all at once. It took me 3 hours when I got back from campmeeting to catch up. Hopefully it won't take you that long.

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