CHRISTIAN
CHARACTER
Christian character, how
important is it to have a Christian character?
It must be important because that is the only thing we are able to take
with us to heaven. So we need to know,
what is the definition of character?
The dictionary defines character as “the unique qualities and traits
that separate one person from another.”
Now we need to go a little further and define Christian character. Christian character is the character of
God, which Jesus displayed and which all Christians show in the public and
private good they do. To be good is to
be Christlike.
You don’t have to be a Christian to demonstrate Christian
character. But when you are a
Christian, you will be more consistent in the Christlike things you say and
do. The people you come in contact with
will recognize and benefit from your Christlikeness. There will be no mistaking that you are reflecting Christ. The disciples did and were courageous as no
others could be. This is why the
by-standers commented that “these men had been with Jesus’ (Acts 4:13).
Character is positively
improved when a person relates closely, through faith, with Christ and
Scripture; but it can be adversely affected by - among other things - bad
company.
From an article in the Signs
of the Times, May 14, 1894 it talks about Christian character.
“The Christian must
modify his stern traits of character through the grace of Christ, and cultivate
that which is gentle and peaceful.
Great harm is done to the cause of Christ when Christians permit their
unholy traits of character to misrepresent the gentle, courteous, spirit of the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Old age at
times expects too much of inexperienced youth, and youth expect too much of
aged. Let all take Christ for their
example, who never spoke a hast, discourteous word, or performed a rude
action. It is just as much the sacred
duty of the aged to grow old gracefully, mellowing in disposition in the autumn
of life, as it is for the youth to represent the graces of the character of Christ. Manners are the expression of character, and
divine grace can do everything to sanctify the character. Therefore, ‘let this mind be in you which
was also in Christ Jesus’”.
Do you know the difference between right and wrong? Read Proverbs 20:11. Our close relationship with Christ sharpens
our ability to know the difference between Christlike and un-Christlike
character. The Ten Commandments are a
set of guidelines to help you distinguish between good and bad character. Let’s compare a mirror to the Ten
Commandments.
·
The mirror reflects what
is placed in front of it, while the Ten Commandments reflects the character of
a person’s life.
·
The mirror cannot comb
the hair or give approval; you have
to make the decision to act. Likewise,
the Ten Commandments do not change us.
They help us to be aware of the type of life we are leading.
·
When you look in a
mirror, you don’t focus on the mirror itself (you often do not see the
mirror). Likewise, we do not focus on
the Ten Commandments and make them a problem.
Any focus should be on our relationship with Christ.
The Ten Commandments are a guide to help us to see if we are
living a Christlike life, one that reflects Christian characteristics.
Let’s read the Ten Commandments, I think it will do us all good
to refresh our memory of them. But
before we read, here are some questions (show on overhead projector) I want you to think about for each one of
the commandments:
1. Who benefits when I am
in conflict with this commandment?
2. Who benefits when I
cooperate with this commandment?
3. Do I need to keep this
commandment constantly in my mind to
cooperate with it?
4. Which is easier, to be
in conflict with or to cooperate with this particular commandment?
OK, let’s read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-17.
In the fruits of the Spirit you have the perfect description of
Christian character traits. So let’s
turn to Galatians 5:22, 23 and see what the fruits of the Spirit
are. There is no other formula that can
supersede this. This why a Christian
should be the happiest person on earth in any given situation.
All of us will experience ups and downs, but “our Saviour, who
understands our heart-struggles, and knows the weakness of our natures, pities
our infirmities, forgives our errors, and bestows upon us the graces which we
earnestly desire. Joy, peace,
long-suffering, gentleness, faith, and charity are the elements of the
Christian character... Where these
graces reign in the home, the sons are ‘as plants grown up in their youth,’ and
the daughters ‘as corner-stones polished after the similitude of a
palace.’ These heavenly attainments are
not dependent upon circumstances, nor the will or imperfect judgment of man. Nothing can give more perfect contentment
and satisfaction than the cultivation of a Christian character; the most
exalted aspirations can aim at nothing higher” (Signs of the Times, Sept.
9, 1886).
In closing, Christian character development involves not only a
personal commitment, but also the willingness to be changed. It happens when we invite God to take part
in our growth process.