Grace: The Making of Character
The Seasonal Changes Involved in Maturity
A Biblical study of the actualizing of wholeness and how Grace is the power of God used in that process
“For by grace, you have been saved through faith,
and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
Greetings In Our Victorious Lord,
It has been said that when God measures a man, he puts the tape around the heart -- not around the head. This is simply saying that character is not in the mind, it is in the will.
The issue is the building of character. It is God's provision of grace that permits this. In this brief series, we will view the principles by which God "empowers us" to overcome sinful attitudes and replace them with the reigning control of Christ our inner righteousness (1 Cor. 1 :30 ).
Our desire in this area of study is that we might be armed with understanding that will aid us ineffective praying and living. The ongoing lordship of Christ in the maturing believer's life is the focus. A greater actualization of holiness should be the result in our lives.
We will be more prepared to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling" as "God works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12, 13). God will aid us in “perfecting holiness" (2 Cor. 7:1 ). To God alone be the glory as we participate with the Holy Spirit in removing roadblocks that hinder wholeness.
I want to express my appreciation to the multitude of scholars and writers from whom I have drawn content in the preparation of this syllabus. Wendel Smith's notebook on "Roots" printed by Bible Temple in Portland, Oregon was especially helpful. Other authors are listed in the Bibliography.
My very special gratitude goes to our office staff of Fountain Gate Ministries for the extended hours in working on the content of this syllabus. Marie Dainow, Dwight Parlin, Judy Lantier, DJ Russo, Leann Featherston and Rob Zimmerman were incredibly helpful and I was blessed by their effort.
God's very best now as we study His Word.
Because of Calvary,
Dr. Sam Sasser
