Reflecting God's Character and Nature in Daily Life
Reflecting God's character and nature in daily life involves a conscious effort to embody divine attributes such as holiness, diligence, humility, and devotedness. This pursuit is rooted in the understanding that humanity is created in God's image and called to live in a manner consistent with that divine origin [1, 2].
Holiness is a foundational aspect of God's character, and believers are commanded to be holy as God is holy [2; Lev 19:2; 1 Pet 1:15-16]. This call to holiness is not merely an abstract concept but a practical requirement for daily living, necessary for worship and for ultimately seeing God [2; Ps 24:3-4; Heb 12:14]. Christ himself serves as the ultimate example of holiness, and believers are called to conform to his image [2; Rom 8:29; 1 Pet 2:21-22]. The gospel provides the path to this holiness, which is a new creation in believers [2; Eph 4:24].
Diligence is another quality that reflects God's nature. God requires diligence in seeking Him, obeying Him, and striving for spiritual perfection [1; 1 Chr 22:19; Heb 11:6; Deut 6:17; Phil 3:13-14]. This includes cultivating Christian graces, guarding one's soul and heart, engaging in "labours of love," and pursuing every good work [1; 2 Pet 1:5; Deut 4:9; Prov 4:23; Heb 6:10-12; 1 Tim 5:10]. Diligence also extends to self-examination and ensuring one's calling and election are secure [1; Ps 77:6; 2 Pet 1:10].
Humility, exemplified by Christ, is essential for serving God [6; Mic 6:8; Matt 11:29; Phil 2:5-8]. Those who are humble are regarded, heard, and delivered by God; they enjoy His presence and are ultimately exalted by Him [6; Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2; Ps 9:12; Isa 57:15; Job 22:29; Jas 4:10]. Humility is also linked to receiving more grace and precedes honor [6; Prov 3:34; Jas 4:6; Prov 15:33].
Devotedness to God is a characteristic of saints, with Christ serving as the supreme example [5; Job 23:12; John 4:34; 17:4]. This devotion is grounded in God's mercies, goodness, call, and the redemptive work of Christ [5; Rom 12:1; 1 Sam 12:24; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Cor 5:15]. It should encompass one's spirit, body, members, and substance, being unreserved and persevering [5; 1 Cor 6:20; Rom 12:1; Rom 6:12-13; Exod 22:29; Matt 6:24].
A godly life provides tangible evidence of truly knowing God [10; Col 3:5-17; Jas 2:14-18]. This is not merely an intellectual assent but a habitual commitment that shapes one's character [11; Ps 26:3]. God's desire is for the character of His people to be evident in their actions, even though He already knows their innermost thoughts [12; Deut 8:2; Ps 51:6]. The Old Testament often uses anthropomorphisms to help humans grasp God's ways, emphasizing that while God knows all, He tests to reveal character through actions [3].
Living a life of communion with God, as taught in Proverbs, is of great consequence and advantage [13; Prov 3:1-2]. This involves continually regarding God's precepts as a rule for life, acquainting oneself with them, and remembering them [4]. God's word itself displays His character and power [16; Ps 33:4-7], and He consistently demonstrates His character toward all creation [15; Ps 145:8-9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Acts “Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. -- Acts 17:29”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 8:2: 8:2 to prove your character (literally to know what is in your heart): God already knew the Israelites’ innermost thoughts (Pss 51:6; 139:1, 4, 23); he wanted their character to come out in their actions. • to find out whether: The Old Testament often describes God in human terms, even in ways that appear to limit God. Anthropomorphism (assigning human characteristics to God) and anthropopathism (assigning human feelings or emotions to God) are ways of representing God on a human level so the human mind can better grasp his ways, but God is not limited in his ”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 3:1: We are here taught to live a life of communion with God; and without controversy great is this mystery of godliness, and of great consequence to us, and, as is here shown, will be of unspeakable advantage. I. We must have a continual regard to God's precepts, Pro 3:1, Pro 3:2. 1. We must, (1.) Fix God's law, and his commandments, as our rule, by which we will in every thing be ruled and to which we will yield obedience. (2.) We must acquaint ourselves with them; for we cannot be said to forget that which we never knew. (3.) We must remember them so that they may ”