Which Father Does Your Personality Reflect?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

…that they may be one just as We are one… —John 17:22

 

“Personality is the unique, limitless part of our life that makes us distinct from everyone else. […] Personality is the characteristic mark of the inner, spiritual man, just as individuality is the characteristic of the outer, natural man. Our Lord can never be described in terms of individuality and independence, but only in terms of His total Person— “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). Personality merges, and you only reach your true identity once you are merged with another person. When love or the Spirit of God come upon a person, he is transformed. He will then no longer insist on maintaining his individuality. Our Lord never referred to a person’s individuality or his isolated position, but spoke in terms of the total person— “…that they may be one just as We are one….” Once your rights to yourself are surrendered to God, your true personal nature begins responding to God immediately.”  CHAMBERS

 

(Romans 12:2) “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..”  A person cannot change their personality by self-will.  I am sure you have heard the saying "The apple does not fall far from the tree" , "Like father like son"  My parents were divorced when I was 2 years old.  As a young boy I can remember my mom saying to me, "Stop doing that, you remind me of your father!" Don't misunderstand the illustration, my mom, in later years was a godly woman, but there was something, I never knew what it was, that reminded her of my biological father that reminded her of why she was divorced.  So it was up to me to figure it out and change that part of my personality.  Fortunately, my step-father's personality reflected Jesus.  Thankfully, people see much of him in me. But, like me, people can suppress the parts they don’t want others to see, for a while. But eventually, the heart from which their personality springs is revealed.  I have heard people say “I can’t help myself, that is the way my family is or that is the way I am.”  The statement is true, they can’t help themselves.  They have inherited personality traits the were derived in the natural, along with our sinful nature.  They don’t need a self-help book, they need a Savior, a change of heart.  If we are one with Jesus then our personalities will be transformed to be like His.  Jesus is loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. (Galatians 5:22-23) “… old things are passed away, all thing have become new..” (2 Corinthians 5:17)  That transformation happens by the power of the Spirit, not by our desire to be different. ELGIN