What kind of person do you want to be? There are so many different facets of who anyone of us is in relationship to other people, as well as regarding our relationship with the God of Heaven. Briefly, consider what kind of person you want to be, generally, just as a person. In addition, if married, what kind of a spouse do you want to be? As a child (of any age – everyone is a child of parents, also of any age), what kind of person do you want to be? If you have brothers or sisters, what kind of a person do you want to be to your siblings?
Are you an employee or an employer? What kind of a person do you want to be as an employee? What kind of a person do you want to be as a coworker? If an employer, what kind of a person do you want to be to your employees? Beyond that, what kind of a person do you want to be to your neighbors? What kind of a person do you want to be as a citizen in your community and nation; are you a good earthly citizen? More importantly, spiritually speaking, what kind of a person do you want to be as a good citizen in the kingdom of Heaven; what kind of person do you want to be as a Christian?
To a large degree, one’s environment impacts a person as he or she develops into the kind of person he or she becomes. Yet, one can choose for himself or herself into what kind of person he or she becomes. Often, though, people resort to the wrong resources for their development. Some devices – actually vices – mold persons into sinners rather than into saints; think about how alcohol and other drugs fashion persons.
Some people decide the kind of persons they want to be by following the majority around them. They reason, “Everyone else is doing it; why can’t we do it, too?” Exodus 23:2, though, warns, “You shall not follow a crowd [“multitude” KJV] to do evil” (NKJV).
Making bad or ungodly choices, followed by sinful actions, has destroyed societies over and over throughout history (Genesis 6:5-7). Look at the world today; look at America. What do you see but history repeating itself. Furthermore, not even the children of God are immune to their demise for making bad spiritual choices. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6). “For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge” (Jeremiah 4:22).
Many individuals decide to imitate family members as they develop into personhood; it’s the idea that if it was good enough for mom and dad, it’s good enough for me. Still, others mold themselves after what they see or hear in their movies, music, videos, social media, the Internet and peer pressure. Once, God purged the world of evil and violence with a universal flood (Genesis 6:5-12), but a second and final purge of fire is coming (2 Peter 3:10-12).
To what ought people resort to help them develop into the kind of persons they want to be? The Bible – especially the New Testament for people living today – ought to be the source to which everyone turns to mold a godly character. The Word of God – the Bible – is the divinely provided and preserved road map from Earth to Heaven. It can mold and shape us as we need to be – ready for the return of Jesus Christ and entrance into the eternal home in Heaven.
Walking Bibles can also help us to become and to remain the persons we ought to be. We can mimic fellow Christians who exemplify Jesus Christ in their lives. The apostle Paul exhorted Christians at Corinth, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1; cf., 4:16). Similarly, the apostle wrote to Philippian Christians, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Philippians 3:17; cf., 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Hebrews 6:12).
It matters what kind of person we mold ourselves to be. Yes, one’s environment contributes to molding one’s character, but we have individual responsibility for the kind of person we have become. Heaven and Hell hang in the balance – the only two possible eternal alternatives in the future of every soul. The kind of person we have molded ourselves to be will determine where we will spend eternity! So, what kind of person do you want to be?
If you don’t like what you see in yourself – the person you have become – as long as you are alive and the Lord Jesus has not yet returned, you can become the person God wants you to be. You can prepare to meet God in the Judgment (Amos 4:12). Jesus is Lord (Luke 6:46), and if one does what He commanded to become a Christian (Mark 16:16), you can be saved from your past sins (Romans 3:25; Acts 22:16). Erring Christians need to repent and pray (Acts 8:22). Today, be the kind of person God wants you to be.
