The Sage
Dictionary defines character as a complex
of attitudes that determine a person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions.
God is
interested in our character. A person’s character is who they truly are. We can’t
separate what we are from who we are. A person with good character will be ethical
and moral. Our character is the sum total of these qualities demonstrated by
our actions and words – the choices we make and the actions we take. Our character reflects our heart. When our character
is ethical, moral and reflects the character of God and Christ, we witness that
we belong to God and will bring glory to Him. All that Christ did and said
while on earth in His flesh body brought glory to God, not Himself. By His life
and actions, Jesus was teaching His followers to imitate Him.
For as long as
we live, God is working to change our flawed character, so we reflect His ways
and will. This, of course, is a process in willing hearts. Jesus’ character was perfect because He had
no sin in His flesh body. Though He felt all that we feel, He remained sinless.
Jesus was honest, kind, loyal and honorable. All that Jesus did illustrated His
perfect character. His words and actions outlined in the Word of God will also lead
us to good character. If our words and actions don’t reflect the character of
Jesus, our testimony will be weakened, and we profane God instead of giving Him
glory. God created mankind for His glory. The original Adam and the Woman were
sinless and clothed in God’s glory before sin entered. God wants to restore us
to our original glory. This transformation is a work in progress in those who
love and follow His Son. It will be completed on the last day when we return to
the Father in glory in the spiritual, heavenly city – the New Jerusalem.
Character is a Matter
of the Heart
Character is a
matter of the heart. What we hold in our hearts will be the source of our
actions. Jesus said, “Listen and
understand, what goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what
comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean……’ This offended
the Pharisees when they heard it. Peter asked Jesus to explain this so Jesus
said, “The things that come out of the
mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart
come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false
testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with
unwashed hands does not make him unclean.”
Matthew 15:18-20 Some Pharisees and teachers of the Law were defending
the tradition of washing of hands before eating. Of course, washing hands
before eating will avoid diseases, but Jesus will bring the outward inward. Jesus
wasn’t about ritual. He was concerned with our hearts. Outward cleansing sanitizes
the body, but it is the inner cleansing of the heart that cleanses the soul and
is important to God. A cleansed heart will reflect His ways bringing blessing
to us and others. Jesus wants to take us to His ethical and moral high ground.
Jesus always wants to take us higher into His spiritual ways. It is the devil
who wants to bring us down to the pits of the earth through our sinful, fleshly
ways. Jesus lives in the highest place and wants us to come to Him in that high
place. This begins while we walk the earth as His follower. He wants us to
pursue His higher and nobler way. He said, “I
am the way, the truth and the life.” It is walking with Him according to His
ways that brings us spiritually higher. “All
a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is
right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:2-3
Character in Leadership
Jesus was the greatest leader ever to
walk the earth. He is the apex of godly leadership.
Next week, I
will begin a comparison of the character of David versus Saul, Israel’s first and second king. One was God’s choice and one was the peoples’ choice.
The following
are leadership qualities that God seeks in a leader:
·
Good
character – honorable
Speaks the truth
A person of integrity
· Humility,
not prideful and arrogant. “Everyone who
is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord. He will not go unpunished.”
Prov. 16:5
·
No
selfish ambition or vain conceit. “Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
·
Not
looking to his or her own interests but the interests of others. Phil. 2:4
·
Self-controlled.
Galatians 5:23
·
Slow
to anger. Proverbs 16:32
·
Gracious.
Proverbs 16:24, 27 uses “gracious words” not “like a scorching fire.”
·
Is
a peacemaker not an inciter. Proverbs
16:7
·
Not
self-promoting. Values others and seeks their good. Philippians 2:3
·
Has
a servant’s heart. Jesus was the servant of all.
·
Seeks
counsel and wisdom from God and others who are honest and trustworthy. Proverbs 16:16; Proverbs 4:7; Proverbs
15:22
·
Is
fair and just. Proverbs 16:8
·
Is
sensible. Proverbs 16:22-23
·
Is
accountable to others.
·
Prays.to the Lord
·
Is
motivated and strengthened by God and His Word.
·
Sets
an example. 1 Timothy 4:12
·
Empowers
others. Ephesians 4:12
If a leader does not have these qualities, he is not led by
God but by the devil himself and will bring cursing instead of blessing. God
showed this throughout the Older Testament. Those leaders who were led by the
Lord although imperfectly brought blessing. Those who didn’t brought bondage to
God’s people.
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