Character Is Vital

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DAILY VITAMIN
- Character Is Vital
"But a beautiful palace does not make a great king! Why did your father Josiah reign so long? Because he was just and fair in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him" (Jeremiah 22:15 TLB)
    Fame and riches may get you a throne, but only character can keep you on it. Greatness is subtly a product of character; this is because a man's reputation, which is an offshoot of his overall character, is far more important than any other thing he possesses (Proverbs 22:1).
    The rich fool in Jesus' parable had all he desired, but because of his awful character he didn't live to enjoy it. The same with Nabal the fool in 1 Samuel 25. But for David, God called him a man after His heart; a man with a godly character, and therefore godly dispositions. And notice how he ended up. Even the scripture says that the humble man will be lifted up (1 Peter 5:6) and the proud will be debased (James 4:6).
     Consider what He also says in Hebrew 1, "You love right and hate wrong; so God even your God, has poured out more gladness upon you than on anyone else." (v. 9 TLB). Furthermore, we are told again that He (Jesus) earned this glory not because He was the Son of God, but because of how He lived every day (Heb 5:7-9). In other words, how we are addressed by God is a function of our dispositions and not merely our position.
      Little wonder why Paul was always keen to tell the leaders of the Gentile churches about the need to refine themselves in character and behavior, because it is the real proof of our true persons. It isn't our shadow, but the reflection of our original selves.
       Let's also consider another thing Paul said: "There is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). The last phrase of that sentence "who live and walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but the dictates of the Spirit" (AMP) is a choice only we can make through our daily character and dispositions. That is, we can choose to either live as God desires or as the flesh craves; but know that each man will be judged according to his works (Rev 22:12). And so we are told "You are children of the light, walk ye as children of the light" (Eph 5:8).
     So, let your identity in Christ be proven in your character. Let what you believe and preach be shown in what you do to be fully effective in all good works. "So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work." (2 Tim 2:21 AMP). And this you can achieve by giving yourself more to the Word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to sanctify and refine you every day until you are brought into complete conformity with the very life of Christ you have been entrusted with. Remember, not by their inner content, but by their fruits shall they be known. Hence, make God proud today, and show everyone His light and life through your character every day.

Prayer:
Dear Father, it is my utmost desire to please you and to live like you every day of my life. Help me to reflect your person through my character and dispositions. Refine me by your Spirit, so that in words and deeds I may learn to become more and more like you. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen

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