CHARACTER MATTERS

 Ephesians 5:1-2

    Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

                We live in a world that has divorced character from public life, especially when it comes to those who are chosen to take positions of leadership. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the political upheaval of recent years. We have been willing to place people into positions of significant leadership who have questionable characters because publicly they have promised us what we want. The lesson we have not yet learned is that character and public performance go hand in hand. Character shapes everything that a person does for good or ill. If a person’s character is faulty, them their actions will be faulty as well.

                As disturbing as it is to realize that we have entrust the leadership of our country to people with questionable character, it is far more disturbing when we discover we have done this within the church as well. I have been listening to a challenging podcast from Christianity Today which exposes the fall of some prominent Christian leaders and the reasons behind their fall. One of the common threads that winds its ways through each of these stories is the lack of a well-developed spiritual character. People have been placed in positions of influence based on their giftedness before their character was ready to handle them. Each of them had amazing “success” for a season, but then had a tragic fall when the reality of their character broke through the façade of giftedness. Character matters far more than outward giftedness.

                Jesus made that clear in Luke 6:43-45. "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

                James highlighted this reality when he pointed out that the origin of sin is within us, not outside of us. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)        

                Deeply embedded in Jesus’ sermon on the mount is the truth that character matters. We can put on a false front but if our heart is not right the truth will eventually come to light. So, Paul challenges us to do some spiritual house cleaning. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

                The point is not for us to become character police for others, but to take an honest look at our own character. What allows us to place people with flawed character into positions of authority is our own flawed character. When we develop a truly godly character we are blessed with the gift of discernment. Discernment is not sitting in judgement of others, but the ability to recognize when things are not right. Discernment can raise a red flag to stop us from moving forward, or a yellow flag that cautions us to slow down. Godly discernment causes us to treat others with kindness and compassion, rather than judgement and criticism.

                Paul gave us sound advice when we encounter those who may be headed in the wrong direction, whether they are a leader or a follower. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1) A person with a godly character will always seek to correct and restore the other person rather than punish them.

                As I have listened to these podcasts about fallen leaders, it has caused me to examine my own character. There is the temptation for me to take some delight or pleasure in their fall, but that is the wrong response. My first response should be to grieve, both for the fallen leader and for the Church. Then I need to look carefully at my own character and ministry. Where have I strayed into a spiritual ego trip that has caused damage to others’ walk with Christ? Where have I sought my own glory instead of the glory of God? How can I discipline myself so that my character is growing more and more Christlike? Ultimately, at the end of the day, character matters far more than a façade of outward success. God’s will for us is not that we would be successful, but that we would be whole and holy.

Colossians 1:9-10

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,