What determines your character and behavior?
We can be a certain way and do certain things for pragmatic reasons … to get what we want in life, to advance, or achieve. We can be a certain way and do certain things for people-pleasing reasons … to gain people’s approval and acceptance.
These reasons cause us to react and respond relative to our circumstances. We might find ourselves justifying the means to get to the end. Who we are in public may differ from who we are at home or in private.
Start with “Because God is …”
When, however, we start with “Because God is …. I will ….”, we maintain a consistency and integrity throughout the whole of our lives. We don’t do something just because it works but because it’s right. We’re more concerned about what God thinks than what people think.
When we use the character of God as our standard for who we are and what we do, we live in accordance with Romans 12:1-2.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Examples of “Because God is …”
The commands of Scripture are rooted in the character of God. Hence,
- Because God is faithful, I will fulfill commitments.
- Because God is good, I will be kind and share with others.
- Because God is holy, I will do what is right even when it’s not convenient or comfortable.
You’ll find more examples of “Because God is … I will …” in the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download which lists attributes of God using the alphabet.
A prayer for all of us:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Eph. 1:17)
Bless You. Thanks for your writeups. I just took the time to read this one now about God is … and I saw that this is the kind of message God has given me to share apart from handling marriages. God anoint you more, in the mighty name of Jesus.
You are welcome, Christopher. Who God is affects what we do in all areas of life so this even relates to what you share about handling marriages. The more husbands and wives apply this kind of standard to their marriages — “Because God is … I will …”, the better their relationships will be together.
Great!
This is another eye opener to witnessing.
Thank you.
You are welcome. Yes, it relates to witnessing and really, the whole of our lives!