9 Qualities of Christian Character

     On Thursday I wrote a post entitled “Character Counts.”  https://thepreachersword.com/2012/10/18/character-counts/#more-2641

It was a preview to the Impact 2012 Men’s Retreat that I was privileged to faciliate last week-end. Theme was “The Character of Man.”  I believe our readers, both men and women, would benefit from the key points from those three sessions.

There are many qualities of Christian character.  However, I have condensed it to 9 to form an acrostic based on the word “Character.  Here are the first three. We will look at the following  6 over the next two days. 

CONVICTION.

     Conviction involves  a strong or firmly fixed belief. Howard Hendricks once wrote, “A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you die for.”  You can’t be a person of true Christian character without deep convictions.

Conviction involves a commitment to a set of values or standards. It influences your actions.  Reactions.  Attitudes.  It’s the boxer getting up after being knocked down.  The runner going another 5 miles when his muscles are aching and his lungs are burning. The Missionary saying goodbye to comforts of home to share Christ with lost souls.

Conviction requires courage.  Confucius said, “To see what is right and not to do it, is want of courage.”  Courage is, as Henry Van Dyke expressed it “the standing army of the soul which keeps it from conquest, pillage and slavery.”

Jesus a great example of conviction.  He knew who he was and understood his purpose. At age 12 He said, “I must be about my father’s business.”  Conviction lead Him to the Jordan to be baptized.  To the wilderness to be tempted.  To the Mountain to teach a radical new way of life.  His convictions were fortified by commitment and courage.

HUMILITY

          This is not a trait that we necessarily think of  today as a element of success.  When we think of powerful politicians, gifted athletes, or talented musicians, we don’t necessarily think of them as humble. Yet, humility is an important character trait for the successful Christian.

A humble person is real. Authentic. Unassuming. He doesn’t have to appear bigger than he is. Pride is the opposite of humility.  And the Scripture tells us that “pride goes before a fall.”  It is the kind of pride that’s carnal.  Fleshly. Worldly.  The Bible says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Jesus was humble.  He born to parents of humble means in a lowly stable.  He grew up in the scorned little town of Nazareth. He credentials did not impress the religious leaders of His day.  He did not seek glory.  Fame.  Or acclaim. He lived a modest life. He was meek and lowly.  Humble and holy. 

Humility Gives preference to others. Humility is teachable.  Humility is willing to say, “I’m sorry.”

AMBITIOUS

     At first thought this may sound contradictory to humility.  But I mean someone who is enterprising. One with aspiration. A desire to achieve. Not satisfied with ordinary.  Or mediocre.  Or average.  Someone who is eager. Desirous. Determined.  Intent.  Industrious.

Laziness condemned in the Bible.  The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” (Prov 22:13).  Unambitious folks will find any excuse to get out of work.  No wonder the wise man says, “as vinegar to the teeth and smoke to  the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him (Prov 22:6).

Was Jesus ambitious?  He said, “I must work the work of Him who sent Me while it is day…” Jn. 9:4   Luke says “He went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).  We see His ambition for the things of God. For the Kingdom of God.  For the people of God.  For the lost.  Jesus was not lazy. He was hard at work to fulfill the Father’s purpose and to finish His mission.

The Christian possess a godly ambition that is rooted in a desire to please God. To know Him.  To have a relationship with Jesus.  To grow spiritually.  Christians seek to serve others.  And provide for their family.

Tomorrow, we will consider three more qualities of Christian character.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman