A Well-rounded Christian | Sand, Water and Motion | When we were at the beech last week, we saw dozens of little round stones on the surface. None of them had any sharp edges. All their former sharp edges had been rounded off by the motion of the water and the abrasion of sand. It made me think about how God works on us to round off our sharp edges. The Holy Spirit activates the Word of God and the adversities of life to make us into the well-rounded Christian that He wants us to be. Genesis 1:2b… And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. – The same Holy Spirit that worked on the waters in creation, works on us.

Some have said that at least half of our sins are related to our speech. God uses the abrasiveness of adversities, trials, and the conviction of the Word of God to transform our speech. Speech that is proud, manipulative, angry, untruthful, ugly, etc., places a person under the chastisement of God. God knows what kind of adversity and conviction we need to smooth out our speech, that He might get the glory.

• Ephesians 4:24-25 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
• Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

In what areas of your life is God working on you? God is perfecting you to be more like Christ. He is working the fruit of the Spirit in your life. That means He is making you more loving, full of joy and peace. Are you gentle and do you look out for the welfare of others. Are you patient with the shortcomings of others? Are you Spirit controlled? When facing conflict, do you escalate the problem, or are you a peacemaker? Are you submissive to what He wants you to be, do, and have?

• Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
• Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
• Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, …, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

In perfecting you, God will be sanding off self-love, frustration, worry, a quick temper, harshness, meanness, doubt, discord, and self-indulgence. Allow God to do His work! He never makes mistakes. You are in His hands!

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry