Character: April 17, 2013

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2013

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:

Nothing is more important in life then to have proven character that is honest and worthy. When a person’s character is questioned it is very difficult to ever be completely trusted. As a believer we have a greater responsibility to have an upright character because what we do and what we say affects what others see in us and how we represent our Lord.

When we think of character we think of Job. In the book of Job we read about a man of upright character and great faith in God. He was also very prosperous. Satan came before God and challenged 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. These men knew that character was 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 given thought about whether 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 Philippians 4:19.

My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER:

Lord, enable me to have an upright character and to do what is always right. Help me every moment of this day to be worthy of Your name. It is my prayer that others might see Christ in me and that my desire will be to honor Him by having an upright and honest character.