CHARACTER – The estimate formed of a person’s quality; reputation; good repute.
(Oxford Dictionary)
We are fast approaching an election that will decide the White House, the House of Representatives and one third of the Senate. I do not know about you, but I will be voting based on the character of the candidate and their philosophy will be a distant second. We have seen, repeatedly, that people of character make good decisions even when those decisions do not agree with their political philosophy. That is what made our country a great nation, and it is the way we can stay great.
Character is also the key to the resurgence of the church. We have seen in the past twenty years a true decline in the church. People are too busy or just not interested. My strong belief is that, while there is a great deal of truth to the previous statement, we have a deeper problem. We can never rebuild the faith community that we call the church, until we make character building the focus of our ministry. Somewhere on the journey we have lost our way and focused on either permissive freedom or harsh rules to define the church.
Character is built by knowing who and what we are from the inside out. Too often church people seek their direction from outward sources and neglect the inner strength of character that comes from being a person of faith and prayer. Read the scriptures and meditate on them, and God will build your character and give you some answers in the most difficult of situations. These answers will be spiritually based and not as difficult as trying to enforce a rule or being so free that we lack forethought or direction. Paul describes those spiritually directed answers this way, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” That is our goal – to become children of God.
Children of God know how to be honest and truthful. Children of God are always putting others first and themselves last. Children of God talk to the Father about anything and everything. Children of God are not afraid to do the right thing when it is not the popular thing. Children of God bring light into a room and calm in the midst of calamity. Do you get it? Children of God are persons of character that make the world a better place.
I share this verse as a blueprint for character development.
If we sow a thought, we reap an act;
If we sow an act, we reap a habit;
If we sow a habit, we reap character;
If we sow character, we reap a destiny.
—Michael P. Green
The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back.
~~~Abigail Van Buren
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
~~~Abraham Lincoln
Top 15 Things Money Can’t Buy- Time. Happiness. Inner Peace. Integrity. Love. Character. Manners. Health. Respect. Morals. Trust. Patience. Class. Common sense. Dignity.
~~~Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
~~~John Wooden
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
~~~Helen Keller
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
~~~Martin Luther King Jr.
A man’s true character comes out when he’s drunk.
~~~Charlie Chaplin
Education as far as object the formation of character.
~~~Herbert Spencer
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.
~~~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The wise have a solid sense of silence and the ability to keep a storehouse of secrets. Their capacity and character are respected.
~~~Baltasar Gracian
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
—Romans 5:3-4
Do not be deceived:
‘Bad company ruins good morals.’
—1 Corinthians 15:33
Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,
—1 Timothy 3:2
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
—Romans 8:14
The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
—Proverbs 28:1
For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears.
—Philippians 3:18
Lord, I seek to develop character that only you can give me. I pledge myself today to seek your direction and wisdom so that I may become of person of authentic character. that comes from the heart. Let my life be rooted in truth and faith in you so that I may, by nature, do what is right and good.
Amen
A Pastor's Thoughts 