Reflect God's Character
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Read - (2 1/2 minutes)
“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.’ ” (Luke 1:29-30)
Passage:
Mary was shocked to see and hear the angel Gabriel speak to her. He sought to calm her fears and then told her that she had found favor with God. In his initial greeting, the tense of the language indicated that God’s favor was bestowed as a gift of God because of the faith she exercised in the promised Messiah. Now, the tense of the language indicated that she had responded to that grace in such a way that her character reflected the nature of God.
When you believed in Jesus and received Him, God gave you a new nature through His Holy Spirit. Your sin nature in the flesh will always pull away from God’s design for you life, but the Spirit nature will draw you to follow God’s Word and seek to be like Jesus. You have a choice on which nature will have the greatest sway in your life. It is said that Christmas is the time of year that people act like they wish they could be all year long. Those who truly experience Christmas and join God in His work seek to let the Spirit lead them in thoughts, words, and actions. As you get dressed on the outside, let Paul’s challenge be real on the inside. Clothe yourself with the attitudes of godliness and reflect the character of Christ today.
Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)