A New Personality

S

(Isaiah 32:5 KJV) The vile person [i.e., "nabal"] shall no more be called liberal nor the churl said to be bountiful."

O

Four personalities are contrasted here: two are unconverted, two are living regenerated lives. The vile personality lives only to fatten and please himself, with no regard for helping others. Liberal people (in the old-fashioned sense), however, often have little, yet are honorably generous with what they do have. They write on all their possessions: "for myself and everyone else." They live to bless others. The churl avariciously starves amidst plenty for fear of loss: "All is mine, all I can get is for me. None is enough, yet I enjoy none of it." The bountiful has plenty, enjoys it fully, and delights in sharing it generously.

A

If I could measure my motives and my actions against these profiles, which one most frequently describes me? If I could assess that with perfect, unbiased honesty and accuracy, then I would better understand the progress of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work in me. Who do I really want to be?

P

Sovereign Lord, I am so grateful that You did not save me because of my works of righteousness but because of Your own death and resurrection (Titus 3:5,6; Ephesians 2). I am equally heartened by Isaiah's prophecy of the type of person You have committed Yourself to helping me become.