Build the character of Christ into our lives

Published 8:00 am Saturday, August 17, 2019

Did you know that Nike did not invent the phrase “Just Do It?” Yes, that slogan pulled them into the place of prominence where all over the world the little swoosh is known, but it was spoken much earlier in history by a person who produced the most awesome “product” of all time.

Lest you think I am pulling your leg, let’s look at John 2. Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding feast in Cana along with His family, including His mother, Mary. Part way through the celebration, the wine was running out and Mary told the servants (verse 5) “Whatever He says to you, (just) do it.” Of course, after checking with His Father, He did! He turned the water into the finest wine the master of the feast had ever tasted. 

There are several lessons worth noting. He had a submissive heart toward His Heavenly Father above all else, but He also had honor for His earthly mother whom the Father used to mold and shape His early life. She knew it was His time even before He acknowledged that it was.

We are each called to follow the same pattern. Total obedience and submission to our Heavenly Father and honor for those the Lord has placed over us in different roles to help build the character of Christ into our lives.

So many times when the Father speaks through one of our authority figures (spouse, parent, employer) we stop to reason why we need not obey. If we know the Father’s voice, we ought to be able to get His assurance and then “just do it!” Learning to hear and heed His voice is probably one of the most important things a believer must cultivate in their lives. “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me. They will not follow the voice of a stranger.”

There are many “strange voices” out there — voices that may sound logical, reasonable and convincing, but they are like “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” They are a thief and a robber and are being used by our enemy to steal, kill and destroy our faith as well as many other areas of our lives when we “buy into” their reasoning. Beloved ones, cultivate intimacy with your Father God. Get to know Him so well that when the great falling away occurs (I think it already has begun), you will not become a statistic and be led astray by false teachings and doctrines of demons. The scripture warns us of a day when many will be deceived. I do not want to be one who does not know how to discern the voice of my good, good Father.

One of the main ways to hear and know His voice is to spend regular time in His Word — the Bible. If you do not have a regular time set aside for reading, studying and meditating upon God’s written Word, may I encourage you to begin that habit. Hide His words in your heart. Commit verses that really speak to you to memory. We do not know what the future holds for us here in the U.S. but there are many other countries that do not have free access to the written Word of God so they understand just how valuable it is. I have heard so many wonderful testimonies of those who have been sustained in prison or other terrible circumstances because they had committed the Word of God to memory.

Peer pressure can occur at any age. All of us have people around us that we listen to and even try to imitate. Since there are many voices speaking, we must have those who we trust. Deception is not obvious. That is why people are deceived. Few people will follow the voice of one they are certain does not line up with their beliefs and thinking. But we must learn to discern His voice before we “do it.” Obedience is better than sacrifice and we want to glorify God with our lives of obedience so we must hear His voice and differentiate it from the many other voices that are speaking today.