As we pursue our calling, our character will be purged into purity!
The word character means: the essential qualities distinctive to an individual. Our character can and will be affected by the Word of GOD.
It is written by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 105:
19 God’s promise to Joseph purged his character until it was time for his dreams to come true.
There is a time of testing for each of us as we pursue walking in the purity of Holiness. Can we expect to be entrusted with the power and authority given to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ before we have been sufficiently tested?
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 2:
12 My beloved ones, just like you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you in the past, I’m asking you now to keep following my instructions as though I were right there with you. Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the Holy Awe of God—which brings you trembling into His Presence.
Paul expressed the necessity of walking in the Fear of THE LORD in order to fully manifest Sonship.
13 God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases Him.
Do you have the passion to please HIM? I can testify that as you pursue Holiness, your passion to please HIM will increase. Paul provides the expectations associated with Spiritual growth:
14 Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves.
The results:
15 For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure Children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe,
16 holding out the words of Eternal life. I haven’t labored among you for nothing, for your lives are the fruit of my ministry and will be my glorious boast at the unveiling of Christ!
Timothy is such an example of maturing in Christ:
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.
20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the Gospel.
23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
How many of us would qualify to be sent out by Paul? Do you have a proven character as identified by the examination of good fruit produced by our walk? As you and I mature as Sons and Daughters, our fruit will reflect our proven character.
David describes those with proven character as he recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 15:
1 YAHWEH, who dares to dwell with You? Who presumes the privilege of being close to You, living next to You in your shining place of glory?
2 They are passionate and wholehearted, always sincere and always speaking the Truth—for their hearts are trustworthy.
3 They refuse to slander or insult others; they’ll never listen to gossip or rumors, nor would they ever harm a friend with their words.
4 They will despise evil and evil workers while commending the faithful ones who follow after the Truth. They make firm commitments and follow through, even at great cost.
5 They never crush others with exploitation and they would never be bought with a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things will never be shaken; they will stand firm forever.
The tests that you and I are walking through are meant to purify us to the point where we have unshakeable, proven character. It begins with walking in The Fear of THE LORD.