This is Part 2 of 2 for Lesson 4 “Seeing the Goldsmith’s Face”. Click here to go back to the introduction.
“Character is an essential tendency. It can be covered up, it can be messed with, it can be screwed around with, but it can’t be ultimately changed. It’s the structure of our bones, the blood that runs through our veins.”
— Sam Shepard, American playwright, actor and director (b. 1943)
Following on from the last section, it’s interesting to read some thoughts which contrast to our own understanding of character. What do you think of Shepard’s views? They are mirrored by many others.
Of course we would argue that character can be changed by the presence of the Holy Spirit within the life. Can you think of Biblical examples?
How about Paul, Peter, James & John (known as the sons of thunder), Moses….?
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NIV)
Consider the following comment from the lesson:
As Christians, we must never forget that we are in the midst of a cosmic drama. The great controversy between Christ and Satan is unfolding all around us. The battle takes many shapes and is manifested in many ways. And though much is hidden, we can understand that, as followers of Christ, we have a part to play in this drama, and we can bring honor to Christ through our lives.
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
So how do we bring honor to Christ through our lives?
It is interesting to note that God, when interacting with Satan, used Job as an example of godly living here on this earth. It would indeed seem as though the way we live our lives matters to God, and indeed to the universe:
Job 1:8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.”
Also consider this:
1 Cor 4:9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
So what do you think? Can our fundamental characters be changed? Does this change that is achieved in our lives be an example to the universe?
That’s all for this week. See you next time….
