Character and Attitude in Our Walk of Faith
A Reflection on Character and Attitude in Our Walk of Faith
The many references to Scripture will make the beautiful aspect of character and attitude clearer.
As we explore the beautiful facets of character and attitude within our faith journey, it becomes clear that our judgment will be based on these critical elements, symbolised by gold, silver, and precious stones. These precious materials represent how thoroughly God's image and character have been woven into our very identity.
Gold signifies the divine purity of our character, while silver illustrates our capacity to graciously receive and cultivate the gifts and anointing that God has graciously bestowed upon us. Precious stones, meanwhile, reflect the integrity and patience we develop under pressure; it is through life's challenges that our character is refined and crystallised into something truly valuable.
Jesus frequently emphasised the importance of our inner attitudes. He taught that a transformed heart inevitably leads to lives that reflect His nature. In the Sermon on the Mount, He addressed the significance of attitude, highlighting that mere adherence to the Law is insufficient—what truly matters is the spirit behind our actions. Jesus sought to identify incorrect attitudes and to illuminate the characteristics of godly character.
Before we delve deeper into the commendations from Jesus, we must recognise the distinction between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant from God's perspective. For both John and Paul, the transition from the Law to grace is fundamental—redemption frees us from the constraints of the Law, allowing us to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Law and grace. However, the Lord declared, “For this is the covenant that I will make… I will put My laws in their minds and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Jeremiah 31:33). This new covenant is profoundly personal, as it emphasises an intimate relationship with God, where all, regardless of status, come to know Him directly, i.e., personally.
This is an exhilarating revelation, as Paul noted: “Nothing outwardly avails, but faith which works by love!” (Galatians 5:6). While obedience is important, it is the identity of sonship—or, more deeply, espousal—that fosters a loving relationship capable of nurturing true, devoted obedience.
Here lies the importance of having the right attitude and walking in prudence. Jesus illustrated this vividly in Matthew 25 when He spoke about those welcomed into the kingdom. He said, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” (Matthew 25:34).
Not only did He target physical acts of service, but He also urged us to see beyond the surface—to feed the spiritually hungry, welcome those into the kingdom with love, quench the thirst for truth, and clothe those exposed to shame, to set people free who are imprisoned by strongholds. In this teaching, we see that every act of kindness we engage in for the least among us is indeed an act done because of Christ Himself.
The righteous will respond, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You...?” and He will affirm, “Assuredly, I say to you, since you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:37-40) Jesus also warned that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom, but only those who do the will of the Father. Genuine actions of faith arise from a deep and intimate loving relationship with Him— “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock…” (Matthew 7:21-26).
Ultimately, we uncover a key truth: love and prudence draw us toward a sincere loving relationship with our Saviour. When we know Him intimately and become one with Him, our transformation unfolds as we behold Him and His glory. This deep connection empowers us to fulfil His will effortlessly, with our actions reflecting that intimacy. Rather than striving for power and influence, we find strength in walking in love and sincerity, abiding in Him, while seeking only His face and His purpose in all we do.
Blessings
Ben
Our thanks to Ben for this month’s Blog contribution
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