As we read through our Bible we see God describe people in different ways. For instance, David was referred to as a man after God’s own heart. Noah was described as a righteous and blameless man. Abraham was even called the friend of God in the scripture. If your life was being recorded how would God describe you?
Acts 13:22 (ESV)
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
Genesis 6:9 (ESV)
9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.
James 2:23 (ESV)
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
Those verses above contain the good descriptions God used for several biblical characters. Through time spent in the word, you will find many more just like them. However not every description God offers is a good one.
God often uses some harsh turns of phrase to describe certain individuals and groups of people in the Bible. Those who are not living the way He would have them to be. For example, the Pharisees received multiple bad descriptions in the Bible. The group who claimed to serve God but really just wanted to better serve themselves.
Matthew 16:4 (ESV)
4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed
Matthew 23:13 (ESV)
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
Luke 11:42–43 (ESV)
42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Now take a moment to really think about how God would describe you? Would He call you righteous and faithful? Someone after His own heart, a real prayer warrior? Always willing to do whatever He may ask? Or would you receive a bad description like that the Pharisees revived? Using words such as hypocrite, selfish, or adulterous?
Honestly, everyone wants to receive a good description from God. Nobody can honestly say they want to receive a bad description. Every Christian wants to make it to heaven and hear God say “well done my good and faithful servant”.
Matthew 25:23 (ESV)
23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
But in order to receive a good description, we must live a life worthy of it. Just as those named in the Bible did in their day. We will never trick God. He will always see us exactly as we are and describe us accordingly.
If you want to be called a prayer warrior then start praying. Likewise, have the faith to be known as faithful. Be the good person that truly is worthy of a good description. On the other hand, if you live in sin you will be called a sinner. The same goes for any other wrong action. Make the decision today to always live in a manner worthy of a good description from our Lord.
So as you continue this week evaluate your actions in this way. Ask if I do this what will God think of me? That mindset will have a great impact on your life. If you enjoyed this article please share it with others through social media or other means. We would greatly appreciate it. God Bless!
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