Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1405262
Character Matters Marty Edwards Character is "the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual." In general, people who are considered to be of good character often have traits like • integrity • honesty • courage • loyalty • perseverance • fortitude ...and many other important virtues that promote good and decent behavior. A person with good character does the right thing because they believe it is the right thing to do; not because they HAVE TO or because someone is watching or because there might be a reward... but because it is the right thing to do. The Bible speaks of character and its synonyms. The word "integrity" evolved from the Latin, meaning whole or complete...and could also speak to "strength (as in: "the bridge was strong and integrous). In this context, integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. In Christian ministry, character is critical; more important than any amount of knowledge, fame, giftedness, talents, personal success or achievements, physical strength, stamina, good looks, wittiness, or personal finances. Without good character, a person is not fit for ministry. Traits that typically reveal poor character include, but are not limited to: dishonesty, laziness, excuse making, a mean or judgmental spirit, self-centeredness, self-promoting, poor self-control, vulgarity and or lude behavior. There are so many more words that we could list that illustrate the lack of character, but I think you get the point. Let me share some quotes that may also be helpful: "The expression of Christian character is not good doing, but God-likeness. If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit divine characteristics in your life, not good human characteristics . God's life in us expresses itself as God's life, not as human life trying to be godly." Oswald Chambers "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, all is lost." Billy Graham "The test of Christian character should be that a man is a joy-bearing agent to the world." Henry Ward Beecher I've been in full-time ministry since 1978, first as a youth pastor, then a pastor and now motorcycle ministry. While some will argue that the sole enemy of the church is Satan, I would clarify and say it is Satan at work in the lives of Christian people lacking character. I do not ever remember being directly confronted or assaulted by the devil or a demon, but I have met scores of professing Christians who have been USED by the devil because of a lack of character. I have known Christian people to lie, gossip, steal, spread un- truth, fight for power and control, "bend the rules" and deny the opportunity to confess their sins. (1 John 1:9) I served as a children's pastor for one year. (Trust me...I feel much safer with bikers!) One Sunday, about fifty elementary school children, presented their artwork for a coloring contest and I was to be the judge. After our winner was declared a mother approached me and said, "I don't think I saw my daughter's picture up on the board." I said, "Oh I'm sure it was up there. You must have not seen it." Later that morning I found her daughter's artwork on the floor, behind a table. (Evidently it had become unpinned and fell.) Later that afternoon the mother approached me again and said that her daughter's picture was not on the wall - and I insisted that it was, even though I knew what I was saying was a lie. Was it a big lie? No. Was it going to change anything? No, but it was, nevertheless, a lie revealing my lack of Christian character. So, it was with much humility and embarrassment that I had to find the mom and tell her the truth. Fortunately for me, she was very understanding and forgiving. This may seem like such a small thing, but for me it was a life lesson. Recently, a very well-known and highly respected Christian apologist, evangelist and preacher died. He traveled widely for the cause of Christ and wrote many good books. He was one of my personal favorites. Almost immediately after his death he was found out to be living a double life. He had many adulterous affairs and was accused by many as even being a rapist. My wife and I were crushed! The Church of Jesus Christ received a HUGE black eye and I am sure that many had their opportunity to mock the church and say, "See!