DOES CHARACTER COUNT?
NELSON PRICE
PSALM 15: 1-5
9/20/98
Jesus Christ dealt with a cast of characters as diverse as we. He
provided for all the potential of peace with God in time and for
eternity. In time He inspired hope and for eternity He enabled the
love of God to be shared.
It is through the most circuitous route that He leads us to build our
character. The path is marked for us:
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access
by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the
glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
character; and character, hope" (Rom 5:1 - 4).
This passage explains why so few people live positively with
inspired hope. It is character that produces hope.
Character traits were once the words used when persons were
spoken of. People were described as persons of character. Words,
such as, honesty, integrity, truthful, and dependable were used.
Gradually the operative word changed from character to
personality. Charming, cool, funny, and outgoing became the
vocabulary.
Character has been so devalued as an admirable trait we have
even been assured character doesn't count. God said it does.
Psalm 15 opens with a strategic question: "Oh, Lord who may
approach your holy place? Who may worship on your holy
mountain?"
Transliterated that means what are the character qualities we
should bring into the presence of the Lord? Then the answer:
"Those who walk blamelessly, live righteously and speak the truth
from their heart."
How can it be said character doesn't count in a world full of
"oughts" and "shoulds." Frequently in Scripture the expression
"ought to" is used. It means what we "ought" to do is for our good
and God's glory.
Every "ought" is rooted in a value; every ...
NELSON PRICE
PSALM 15: 1-5
9/20/98
Jesus Christ dealt with a cast of characters as diverse as we. He
provided for all the potential of peace with God in time and for
eternity. In time He inspired hope and for eternity He enabled the
love of God to be shared.
It is through the most circuitous route that He leads us to build our
character. The path is marked for us:
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access
by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the
glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
character; and character, hope" (Rom 5:1 - 4).
This passage explains why so few people live positively with
inspired hope. It is character that produces hope.
Character traits were once the words used when persons were
spoken of. People were described as persons of character. Words,
such as, honesty, integrity, truthful, and dependable were used.
Gradually the operative word changed from character to
personality. Charming, cool, funny, and outgoing became the
vocabulary.
Character has been so devalued as an admirable trait we have
even been assured character doesn't count. God said it does.
Psalm 15 opens with a strategic question: "Oh, Lord who may
approach your holy place? Who may worship on your holy
mountain?"
Transliterated that means what are the character qualities we
should bring into the presence of the Lord? Then the answer:
"Those who walk blamelessly, live righteously and speak the truth
from their heart."
How can it be said character doesn't count in a world full of
"oughts" and "shoulds." Frequently in Scripture the expression
"ought to" is used. It means what we "ought" to do is for our good
and God's glory.
Every "ought" is rooted in a value; every ...
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