Ornamental Character

Rise and Shine for Jesus! \O/

By Pam Iannello

(my late mother)

With the arrival of the Christmas season comes the decorating and celebrating which takes place in honor of the birth of our Savior. Every year, folks pull out their treasured ornaments that they use to adorn their Christmas trees. For some it is tradition to add at least one special ornament to their collection yearly… This always stirs fond memories for families as they recall the events surrounding the attainment of each ornament. Not long afterward, it seems, each one is carefully packed away, only to be forgotten until pulled out again the following year. There are, however, three ornaments I'd like us to consider today that should never be stored away, but rather displayed all year long. You may find you need to add one or all to your assortment of character traits…

ORNAMENT OF GRACE

Proverbs 4:7-9 (KJV)

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is mentioned repeatedly. Actually, it is referred to 110 times! The benefits to wisdom are innumerable, which is why in the above portion of scripture it is called the "principal thing." It is the single, most important character quality we are to seek after with diligence. Are you taking great pains to acquire wisdom, dear lady? God's truths must become a lovely ornament in our lives, not artificial, but the real thing! You can't miss this shining star, for it will adorn your whole being with grace, the very disposition of God… When you do get wisdom, it must never be packed away or forgotten, but must be exalted and exhibited continuously throughout your whole life!

ORNAMENT LIKE FINE GOLD

Proverbs 25:12 (KJV)

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Here is an especially unique and beautiful ornament mentioned in the Bible - a wise reprover. This is an individual who will dare to charge you with a fault to your face, but will do so with wise words and a sober heart. Do you know many people skilled in this area, dear lady? How about you? Are you willing to uphold righteousness, to skillfully and scripturally approach others when they are wrong? The Lord considers this artful character trait one that makes us brilliant in His eyes! Proverbs 28:23 says, "He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue." While many of us would shun correction, there are times when it must be done. We should highly esteem the value of it! Adding to the beauty of reproof, is the obedient ear which wise correction falls upon… Ladies, are you truly willing to receive reproof? Do both these attributes decorate your character? The two together are a breathtaking combination displayed in our lives for the glory of God!

ORNAMENT OF A MEEK & QUIET SPIRIT

1 Peter 3:4 (KJV)

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

What is of great price to God must also catch our eye! Yes, the Lord favors the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, a non-resistant woman. She is one that will yield to God’s decision to place her in whatever situation He sees fit. Here is a rare ornament indeed, for such beauty is not external, but ardently glows from within! Christian women should take serious care that their behavior answers to this description. Do you desire to be valued as such, dear lady? Then you must cultivate that which would adorn your character in like manner. Godliness does not come cheaply; the price paid for it is high! Neither is this an ornament simply to be gazed at in wonder; we must strive to carry the same attractive glow of submission in our hearts. Never a day should go by that we don't work to order our spirits aright! God likes to personalize His ornaments… Cast down that which would lend you to a quarrelsome temper and pick up that which would radiate the character of Christ in your demeanor. Here is an ornament that never fades through the years but grows and glows greater in beauty, both in man's eyes and God's!

After taking a closer look at each of these prized ornaments, how could one ever think to pack them away?

God Bless,

Pam

Isaiah 60:1&2

Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello

Revised 2004