Charcter: January 26, 2010

January 26: TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 26, 2010

CHARACTER

DEFINITION:

The aggregate of properties and qualities that distinguishes one person or thing from another.

SCRIPTURE:

“But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” Romans 5: 3-4

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

When we think of character we think of Job. In the book of Job we read about a man that was prosperous and then Satan’s challenge that Job’s faith was related to his prosperity. God allowed Satan to test Job. Then Satan took away all of Job’s flocks, all of his possessions, all of his servants, and even all of his children. When all that did not cause Job to turn against God, Satan afflicted him physically. Even then Job’s faith did not waver.

God commended Job for his character. In Job 1:8 God said to Satan: “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil.”

Our character is the sum total of our personal values and qualities. Character is a large factor in determining the life we lead here on earth. In Genesis 49 we find Jacob gathering all of his twelve sons together to give them his blessing before he died. He made a prediction on their future based on the way they had lived and the character they portrayed. Of the twelve only Joseph was described as having a commendable character. Joseph was the only son that Jacob predicted would have God’s blessing in the future.

The Bible also tells us about great men of virtuous and Godly character such as Abraham, Enoch and Noah. All of them were known to walk with God. Only character is highly important in God’s sight.

Our dear friend Warren Wiersbe, former pastor of the famous Moody Bible Church in Chicago tells the story of a pious church member who upon visiting the sixth grade Sunday school class asked the children: “Why do you think people call me a Christian?” There was an embarrassing silence and then a small voice from the back of the class said, “Because they don’t know you.”

This was a humbling statement coming from the voice of a child, yet it could be true of most of us some time or another. The term “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” This term was first given to the believers at Antioch, because of their great moral fortitude and backbone that in all they did they appeared Christ-like. When you tell someone that you are a Christian, do they see you as Christ-like? Do you have a Christ-like character?

Have you ever thought that God would be glorified by your character or would He be ashamed of your character? What a tragedy it is for anyone with an ungodly character to proclaim to be a Christian. Is it time for a character analysis in your life?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, enable me to have an upright character and do what is right this day. Help me every moment of this day to be worthy of Your name. May every person that sees me and hears me today feel that I am Christ-like.