Judged by the content of our character

[RevDWW]

Martin Luther King Jr., stated in his "I have a dream" speech that he dreamed of a day when his children would be judged by the content of their character.

I notice Peter telling us that we are called to glory and virtue. It's God's glory we should reflect, but it's virtue, our strength of character that is our we are to added to our faith. I notice that virtue is in the list second. First we must have faith, then we must have strength of character to act on that faith, no matter what the prevailing winds of doctrine blow, what waves of popular opinion rise, or what sweet siren voice of deceit sings into our ear.

2 Peter 1:1 - 2 Peter 1:8 (KJV)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Seems the world is lauding fairness over character. And perhaps forgetting character all together.


In the words of Abraham Lincoln:
"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."


Is the Church in a decline of Christ-like character within it's ranks?
Are our children being taught the importance of character?
What are the attributes of good character?
How do you see those characteristics exampled in real life, everyday living?

[RevDWW]

What makes up "Good Morale Character"?

Is 2Peter 1: 5-7 a template for having good character?

What are practical examples?

[RevDWW]

No takers?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

What makes up "Good Morale Character"?

Is 2Peter 1: 5-7 a template for having good character?

What are practical examples?

One example of good moral character would be the avoidance of pornogrpahy.

An important aspect to developing good moral character is discipline. St. Paul wrote about "beating his body into submission" and "casting down imaginations... that exalts itself against the knowledge of God."

The developing of practical godly habits help to build good moral character that has eternal value.

However, I do not believe the appearance of a lack of good moral character is indicative of a lack of God's Spirit abiding in a person's life.

The Bible says the, "the soul that sinneth shall die." This implies a continuation of sin and a rejection of Christ. But just because a person has a moral failure doesn't mean they're not saved.

Look at King David.


Along the lines of practical godly habits, "standards" do have a place in the life of a Christian. However, it becomes problematic when we apply wholesale practical godly habits to folks in a way that encourages a mindset that in someway we preserve our salvation by our good habits.

The Bible teaches against this mindset very clearly.

Furthermore, the pursuit of practical godly habits can become a practice of idolatry.

The attaining of a life lived in the light of practical godly habits can become a source of pride.




I am unsure how to be clear about this, neither does a scripture come to mind right now so maybe someone can help me here. I think the encouraging of everyone to practice the same practical godly habits can in a way negate the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the individual believer.

"If meat offends my brother, I will not eat meat," is what Paul said. He did not add, "around my bother". He said he would refrain from eating meat. Though very vague, this too is an example of the development of practical godly habit-- not so much the avoidance of the meat as much as the heart's intent of Paul and the discipline needed to carry this oath out, even though meat may not be an issue for him.

But where does one draw the line in living their own life before their God and Savior in light of the whims, preferences and practical godly habits of other Christians?

[Fiyahstarter]

To me, good morale character is to do what is right, regardless of who's watching and regardless of what others may think.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Fiyahstarter

To me, good morale character is to do what is right, regardless of who's watching and regardless of what others may think.

Throw out an example.

[Fiyahstarter]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Throw out an example.

You mean a personal example?

Like the time I refused to sign a paper that I didn't agree with the principles of (so I stepped down from the choir instead. Man, that hurt. I loved the choir. Just what does "living and overcoming life" mean anyway???)

Like the time I went back to the store when I realized the clerk gave me back too much change? WAAAYYY too much change!!!

Like the time I turned down a "dream job" because my uncle, whose health was failing, needed me to help him on a daily basis. (I had been waiting for years for a chance at that position. And the day before it was offered to me, my uncle called to ask me if I could help him because he had Parkinson's and prostate cancer. Dream job will have to wait.)

I'm certainly NOT the epitome of great character...but I guess we all have our moments. LOL!

Just basic honesty and goodness I guess is what counts. And I suspect we all aim for that! I hope!

[Aquila]

I've learned that moral character appears to be primarily judged according to one's sexual behaviors. It's also judged by one's level of love for the things of God, family, and respect for life. But these are all areas where one is easily revealed to be moral or immoral. An aspect that I think isn't talked about enough is how one deals with money and power. I know men who would never commit adultery, men who would never be unfaithful to church, men who always assail the virtues of family, men who appear to hold a strong respect for life...but who see no issue with cheating on their taxes, or in fudging the time they arrived at work on a time card, or have any issue with the infirm or needy struggling to survive as they hoard wealth. I know men who appear to be moral but who are on a power trip bordering on the cultic.

I think when we talk morality the sexy subjects get the attention and we often neglect other areas that are just as important.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I've learned that moral character appears to be primarily judged according to one's sexual behaviors. It's also judged by one's level of love for the things of God, family, and respect for life. But these are all areas where one is easily revealed to be moral or immoral. An aspect that I think isn't talked about enough is how one deals with money and power. I know men who would never commit adultery, men who would never be unfaithful to church, men who always assail the virtues of family, men who appear to hold a strong respect for life...but who see no issue with cheating on their taxes, or in fudging the time they arrived at work on a time card, or have any issue with the infirm or needy struggling to survive as they hoard wealth. I know men who appear to be moral but who are on a power trip bordering on the cultic.

I think when we talk morality the sexy subjects get the attention and we often neglect other areas that are just as important.

As the scripture says "the little foxes spoil the vine".

Honesty, integrity, brotherly love, seem to get lost in the shuffle. How can I show the character of Christ if I can't be trusted? How can I show the character of Christ if I can't seem to get the "love thy brother" thing right?