Character
Posted on June 25, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 1 Peter 1:5-8
I serve at a ministry where we have taught the message of victorious Christian living. The “Keswick” message has also been referred to as the “Exchanged Life” or “The Deeper Life Message.”
Over the years there has been confusion mixed in with truth that the Christian life is all about “let Go and let God” and that there is nothing more I need to do in my Christian walk because Christ has already done His work – it is not I but Christ.
And there is much truth to this message. However, we miss the full meaning of victorious Christian life if we ignore or negate the work that we need to do as we learn to “walk in the Spirit” and learn to do as Pastor Bill Raws taught, “trust and obey.”
1 Peter 1:5-8 makes it very clear that you and I have a responsibility to ADD qualities to our lives as we allow the Spirit of God to take full control of our lives. These qualities are the building blocks of what we can CHARACTER: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.
Please note that it isn’t something God is going to do FOR you – it is something that you and I do as we yield to the control of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Character is something missing in our world today. Just watch the 6:00 news and you will see leader after leader who are exhibiting the lack of character in their lives.
Dr. David Jeremiah, in his book, A Life Beyond Amazing: 9 Decisions that Will Change Your Life Forever, shares this quote by Pat Goggins about character:
I describe Character as the only thing that goes in the casket with you. It’s the only thing you take with you to the hereafter.
Character is returning extra change at the grocery store. Character is keeping appointments and being on time, honoring your commitments and honoring your word. Character is choosing the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Character is setting priorities that honor God, family, country, and then career.
Character in marriage is working through the tough times … Character is being committed to the well-being of your family and friends, associates, and others, even if it is personally costly; and yes, Character is setting a good example. A married person of Character acts married all the time.
A person of Character is self-disciplined and self-controlled. Character implies the courage to stand for what is right, if necessary, all alone to oppose what is wrong and to make the effort to discern the difference. Character is being truthful in all things while being sensitive to the fact that sometimes the truth hurts and need not be spoken.
So as you read through this quote, how are you doing with CHARACTER in your life? Take some time today to re-read Pat’s quote, but more importantly, take some time today to re-read 1 Peter 1:5-8. Dr. Ron Blue, retired professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, once said that he put one of these nine qualities on his prayer list each day. Not a bad idea.
Overflowing and abounding in hope,
Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 15:1-24 | 2 Chronicles 13-16|You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Think About This: Character is what man is in the dark. – D.L. Moody
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. Psalm 130:7