Godly Character

Hello men, the outline from today's REAL Men lesson is posted for you to read and reflect upon.

God bless, Billy

REAL Men Bible Study

Godly Character

1/7/10

I. Christianized Behavior or Godly Character?

A. Christianized Behavior

Ø Keep my values, attitudes and beliefs but run them through a Christian façade or filter.

Ø Still all about me and getting what I want

Ø Change is external; not internal

Ø Trying to change perceptions of others while not affecting the core realities

Ø Approval/acceptance is sought from others

Ø I remain in control and determine what goes to God and His purposes

Ø No noticeable moral/ethical/behavioral differences between me and an unbeliever

Logical outcomes:

Ø Powerless, faithless, insignificant life

Ø Weak or failed relationships

Ø Reactive approach to life – from incident to incident and accident to accident

Ø Weakened role of the church/Christ in and on society

Ø High level of addictive patterns of thought and behavior

Ø Low level of self esteem and peace

B. Godly Character

Romans 12: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer 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.

2 Corinthians 3: 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Ø Discover God’s character it and adopt it as our own

Ø Only priority is pleasing God

Ø Changes start on the inside but affect all external areas as well

Ø Approval from God is all that matters

Ø Christ is Lord and Master and He owns me and all I have

Ø Radical change in morals, ethics, beliefs, values, priorities, habits and behavior

Logical Outcomes:

Ø Powerful, faith-filled, significant life

Ø Multi-generational positive impact on people

Ø Proactive life with vision, purpose, and sense of mission

Ø Church’s influence on culture is powerful

Ø Slaves only to the Lordship of Christ

Ø Filled with fruit of Spirit

Galatians 5: 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.