Saturday, November 22, 2014

Type "A" personality


I was speaking with a friend before the band concert at the college last night. My friend was once part of our musical quartette, but when it broke up he joined with a little group that entertained at the senior homes. He was saying that you need a type "A" leader to keep a group together, someone who is aggressive and skilled. His small group lost it's leadership and people lost interest and fell away.

Mat 9:36  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 

 What is a type "A" person?

A type "A" personality is a psychology theory based on certain behavior. Wikopedia states that Friedman, who came up with the theory, suggests that Type A behavior is expressed in three major symptoms: (1) free-floating hostility, which can be triggered by even minor incidents; (2) time urgency and impatience, which causes irritation and exasperation usually described as being "short-fused"; and (3) a competitive drive, which causes stress and an achievement-driven mentality.

The natural man gets angry and impatient with this personality type if things get in the way. On the positive, he is driven to achieve, but with a competitive spirit. Was Paul driven to achieve? Yes, he was to finish the work that Jesus had given him.
 
Rom 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Rom 1:15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Christian has the fruit of the Spirit, love, peace, long suffering, faith...he is not to be seeking his own way, but the will of the father. Did Paul endure much suffering? Yes he did and he was sometimes angry at those who opposed his work.
 
2Ti 4:14  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2Ti 4:15  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Paul was not a quitter. When chained to Roman guards under house arrest, he witnessed to the guards and the gospel reached into the King's palace. Like Paul, we are to be zealous to do good service unto the Lord.
 
Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
 
No matter our personality types, aggressive or meek, we are to do the work of the Lord with all of our heart.
 

Heb 13:20  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Heb 13:21  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. 

Seek unity for God's glory.


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