The Next Generation - Character
We hear a lot today about the importance of character. We hear coaches talk about wanting to recruit men with character for their team. Polls tell us that character is very important in our choice of leaders in politics, business, and church. Yet in many of these cases, we find ourselves recruiting, electing, or choosing men whose reputations are scarred in character.
What is character? It is a characteristic I want us to pass on to the next generation . Some definitions define character as qualities that distinguishes one person from another. Others separate it more by stating those qualities that determines our response regardless of the circumstances. Evidently from these two definitions, there can be two different types of character - one that just identifies one person from another, and one that requires something extra above the other. That something else distinguishes us as men who are above the norm in all situations. Therefore, we may conclude, and rightfully so, that there is good character and bad character. I want to pass on the good character.
The kind of character we possess will determine the kind of life we live. It will identify who we are to others. It will also determine our accomplishments in life. Good character then must come from a heart that seeks what is true, and what is the highest standards of morality and integrity in any type of circumstance. This kind of character can only come from a man who recognizes the difference in the worlds view and the view from God's perspective. He recognizes that good character is more important than possessions, pleasure, and pride in life. Too many times, we may not give much thought to our character because we are consumed with what we are achieving and collecting.
" I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty," Philippians 4: 11,12. Good character comes from being content regardless of the circumstance. For many of us, our interest centers mostly on our circumstance while God's interest primarily centers on our character . Here is a statement hard to hear- it cost something to be a Christian. Here is another one - It is in the plan of God that all Christians should suffer. "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ to not only believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him," Philippians 1:29. But why would God expect or require us to suffer? "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21. It is our hope to be like Christ and to be with Him one day. That means we travel the same roads in our life that He traveled.
People don't like us because of our circumstances, but because of our character. Hard times produces character. "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that sufferings produces perseverance, perseverance character; and character hope," Romans 5:3,4. The period of our greatest character success is often accompanied by a period of our greatest circumstance failure.
So, how do we build good character? We have the perfect picture of good character represented in the life of Christ. But who can be like Christ? Right? Well, we can also look at other men in the Bible. We can look at Moses, Abraham, David, Joshua, Daniel, Peter, and Paul. Were they perfect? Of course not. What was it about each of these men, and others, that makes us want to follow them? They were men of character who had been through the fires of life, reached the pinnacle of success, and yet, held on and set the example for generations after them to follow. They were men whose faith and beliefs had been through the test and their convictions made them men of strength, courage, truth, hope, and character. Their character represented a man built in the image of God.
