Building Character

Through character building we ought to share God’s transforming love with others.  When providing these blessings to the unloved, let them see that our hearts are filled with goodness.  By doing so, we’ll be declaring to the world our love.  Such a deed is glorious to live by.

Dennis Prager (b. 1948), a political conservative, nationally syndicated radio talk show host, and author explained, “That goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like.  More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.”  As the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.”  We must love people and treat them right.  This must be one of our foremost goals in loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Faces of Love

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968), a Baptist minister and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character.”  While addressing our nation, King’s challenge was for us to have a good attitude of race relations.  People matter, regardless of their race, religion, or national origin.

Inevitably love faces good and bad challenges.  Walter Anderson (1903–1965), a painter, writer, and naturalist wrote, “Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life.  I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.”  As our characters continue to take shape consideration must be given about how we respond to adversities.  Some faced with such problems saw such times as motivators of higher levels of understanding.  Such defining moments have helped shape their attitudes towards people.

Development of Character

Helen Keller (1880–1968), an author, political activist, and lecturer said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”  Keller was certain challenges played a part in our lives.  People are essentially a pot in their Maker’s hands to be shaped the way he pleases.

In true love people have to be faithful.  That’s why love and friendship complement each other.  These signs of godliness are often expressed in families.  Billy Graham (b. 1918), an evangelical Christian evangelist and Southern Baptist minister wrote, “The greatest legacy one person can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”  Character is treating others the way we want to be treated.  When our children see these signs in us their ideas concerning life become clearer in their relationships with their friends.

By helping others let people see goodness in your lives as you reach out to a broken world.  You must celebrate love in action and rejoice in the Lord.  John Wooden (1910–2010), a basketball player and coach reminded us: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”  Let your major goal in life be to build a fine character and serve others.  People are here on earth to build up the body of Christ.  These are gifts that come with living in obedience to him.  Be always open to giving and sharing love.