Appreciation Builds Character

Ephesians 3:2-7

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Saints, when our appreciation for God thrives, He can always trust us because our appreciation for Him will build character in us. Paul’s commitment to the ministry demonstrated character but he had character because he appreciated God enough to do whatever it took to show his gratitude. Faithfulness, obedience, servitude, and respect are a reflection of character built by a desire to express gratefulness. Some young people are so unappreciative of their parents so they disrespect them and the foundation of respecting others is never built in their lives. Some people can never succeed in life because they do not have the character it takes to commit to something or accept responsibility for their actions. We are all on a path of ministry and all of our situations may be different. Apostle Paul taught us that we were all made ministers for others. If our character does not line up, God will not use us. God desires that we all mature in Him; therefore if we lack character, God will allow the situations and relationships that can build character. If we will embrace the trials in our lives, the character of Jesus Christ will be developed in us.

Hebrews 5:8

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

God, in His infinite wisdom, knows exactly what to present in our lives that we will be developed in Him. He looked into all our lives before the foundation of time and discerned every weakness, mindset and character flaw we would have. With that foreknowledge, He set scenarios in our lives that would directly address our deficiencies. He will make sure we work on a job with the adverse co-worker or attend the school with contrary classmates. We will have the verbally abusive spouse or the authoritative manager. Submission inside of these situations will mature us in Christ and until we submit, He will not move these trials. Our old way of thinking and seeing must change before others will change. If we think on how good God has been in our lives, even in the midst of that test, our appreciation for Him will compel us to endure. Should we endure in righteousness, we will become better sons. Saints, I urge us not to allow our appreciation for God to dwindle. When our appreciation for something decreases, the value of it diminishes. When we truly love God and appreciate His life, we can never stop growing in Him. He will always be able to use us when there is a need. He can trust us with ministering to His people.

Be blessed in Christ, Apostle Michael Thomas