“Keys to Enjoying Godly Character”

See if you can find four keys to improving your character in todays text.

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. James 5:7-11 (NLT) 

So here are the keys that stand out to me…

1.) Patiently waiting for the Lord’s return. 

As we keep our eyes on Jesus and continually, patiently await His returnthis helps us to maintain a proper perspective in life, knowing that when He returns justice will be dealt out to both the righteous and the unrighteous. 

2.) Considering the fact that all good things take time.

The example of a farmer waiting for his crop is given. This is a perfect illustration of the principle of patiently waiting for what we long for. 

3.) Guarding your heart against being critical and complaining.

While we “wait” we must wait with the proper attitude and a guarded heart against displaying a critical spirit, a pointing finger and a wagging tongue. 

4.) Follow the examples of the godly men and women of scripture.

The scriptures contain many stories of godly men and women who serve as examples to us concerning how to live and how not to live. One of the keys to our having a godly character is that we learn to follow the examples of those good and godly men and women who have gone before us. 

Let’s endeavor to embrace God’s word to the point of growing in grace!

Growing in grace with you, Pastor Mike