Why we are teaching about character?
Because many Christians unfortunately come to church but maintain their old and negative character, giving a bad testimony as Christians and children of God. We must all be transformed and have a sanctified character.
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 NTL
We have already seen that: Character is the sum of the positive and negative moral qualities that a person has. That is where the foundation of a trustworthy ministry lies.
Many people overvalue gifts or abilities and care little about character. By gift or skill, I mean the ability of an individual to accomplish things, thereby impressing those around him. These abilities may be inherent to the person (genetically inherited, such as intelligence, leadership, being musically gifted, etc.), developed (the result of a learning process or training, such as family or cultural teachings, learning through the studying of texts, listening to teachers, etc…) or they can be supernatural (the result of a spiritual action in one’s life − having God as the source or the kingdom of darkness − as divination, witchcraft, or, in the case of the church, the gifts of the Holy Spirit).
It is very important to distinguish character from gifts.
Character speaks of what a person is, while gifts refer to what one is able to do. While gifts can easily impress men, character draws the attention of God.
This is because man tends to focus on appearance while God cares about the essence, the heart of a person.
A leader in the House of God must bring both the gifts and the character factor, but there is an order of priority and balance between these two truths. In Psalms 78:72 it is written:
“And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he led them.” Psalms 78:72
The text refers to David, the great “shepherd” of Israel, “a man after the heart of God” (1 Samuel 13:14).
Through him we can understand that a ministry or a calling of success must be based on two truths:
- Heart integrity – The great foundation of an approved leadership ministry is integrity of heart. David’s character and inner life were the cornerstone of his ministry. What made him special to God was not his ability to rule or to win a war, but the sincerity of his heart that led him to right attitudes.
- Skilful hands – Skills, training, supernatural gifts are very important in ministry. David was a great king before the people because he had “skilful hands.” This was the fruit of his quest (seeking of) for God and dedication to learning.
Saul, the king who preceded him, was also full of ability, but was rejected by God because he did not keep a righteous heart. David’s gifts were sustained by his character. When this doesn’t happen, large crowds can be attracted, but all will end in scandal and ruins, like a house built without the proper foundations.
The need of a role model
In character formation it is essential to have an outstanding example or a role model.
A role model is a permanent reference that guides us, teaches, inspires, corrects and challenges us to constantly overcome.
This role model produces admiration in us and we generally imitate those we admire.
God established a very concrete reference in creating us: “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness”. Genesis 1:26
God Himself was the model; the quintessence of creation. And although, because of sin, we have lost this image, God has never denied His purpose to restore His shape in us (Col 3.10).
- The church is built through examples
The apostle Paul said: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1.
He also said:
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9
He had very clear the principle that the church is built through examples.
Christ is the perfect and absolute role model, but between Christ and the new disciples it is necessary that the more mature disciples be also an example. Therefore, the apostle Paul tells his disciple Timothy:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
Peter told the priests:
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them (…); not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2-3
The model God set to men
Jesus Christ is the frame of character which we are to imitate, according to the eternal plan of God (Romans 8:29).
He was so aware of this, that several times He presented Himself as an example, with statements like the following: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29
“(…) and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (…)” Matthew 20:27-28
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
Peter presents Jesus as our great model, when He declares:
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:21-23
Undoubtedly, there never was such high referential on earth as that of Jesus. He was perfect in all His way of living, never corrupting Himself with anything at all. His life and posture have become the unquestionable model to which all believers must aim for. Here are some of the many moral and inner qualities he embodied during His years on earth:
- Truth – Isaiah prophesied many things about Jesus, among them the following words: “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” Isaiah 53:9
Jesus literally fulfilled this prophecy. There never was a lie upon his lips. In fact, He proclaimed himself to be the Truth itself (John 14:6).
Even under the greatest pressure, he did not yield to the temptation to speak deceptively, not even to get rid of dangers and oppositions.
The phrase “verily I say unto you” was common in his mouth, to the point of it being repeated over a hundred times in the four gospels.
It reveals the Master’s constant concern to emphasise the truth and to teach others to do the same.
- Sincerity – Sincerity goes one step beyond truth, because it speaks of transparency. One can use the truth without being transparent.
Jesus, however, was a sincere man, as well as true. His followers knew His heart completely.
He was able to share difficult feelings (as in Gethsemane, when He asked for help from His disciples and said that He was deeply distressed – Matthew 26.38), just as He was able to say what He thought or believed, even though it might cause him rejection by some of the people (as it happened in the episode of the purification of the temple – Luke 9:44-48).
- Incorruptibility – Jesus was not corruptible.
He knew the Father’s purpose and did not accept any offer that would divert him from fulfilling it. Satan offered Him riches and glory, but Jesus rejected all of the devil’s bribe. Men wanted to make Him a king, but He denied such a proposal (John 6:15). Nor did He yield to the demands of the people to diminish the weight of His preaching. When He had to choose between telling the truth or keeping followers, He chose to be alone with the truth because He would not corrupt Himself. He was a man guided by principles, not by opportunities. His compass was that of a holy character and not opportunism.
- Honesty – Jesus was an honest man, fulfilling the Law of God and the law of men. Enemies accused him of breaking their religious customs, but they could never point out an attitude of dishonesty in his life. Even when they set a trap for Jesus, His enemies could not condemn Him for His actions.
- Faithfulness – Another hallmark of Jesus’ character was his faithfulness. Once he made a commitment to someone, he would take it to its ultimate consequences. “Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13: 1
His concept of friendship was as noble as possible. Even though He was abandoned by most of His disciples at the hour of His death, He honoured His covenant with them and sought them after the resurrection (John 20:19,21,26).
- Commitment to the family – Before becoming a popular figure, Jesus was simply known as “the carpenter’s son”. His commitment to his family was the first mark noticed by men, being seen even at the time of his death. Before dying, he asked his disciple John to take care of Mary, His mom, probably a widow at that time.
- Sexual Purity – Jesus, because of the character of his vicarious mission, remained single for life. The Bible says that he was tempted in everything, but He did not sin! His position was of absolute respect towards women (for that reason many women followed and helped him without any embarrassment). Although He had many enemies lurking in search of a way to catch him in error, Jesus was never accused of immorality or sexual sin. Certainly, His behaviour was perfect and respectful.
- Self-Control – There were times when Jesus could use violence because he was being humbled or baffled, but His self-control was impeccable. His attitudes and words, though often harsh, never surpassed the limits of human respect.
- Absence of prejudice – Jesus lived in a time and place where racial and religious prejudice were high and normal. However, He always treated everyone equally. He let children come to Him (Matthew 19:14), valued the poor (Mark 12:42-43), approached Himself to sinners, tax collectors and lepers (Matthew 8:2-3) and broke the prejudice between Samaritans and Jews.
Discipleship and transfer of Christ’s character
The eternal purpose of God is to have a family of many children similar to Jesus (Romans 8:29). It means that: The Holy character of Christ must be formed in every Christian.
The Lord has many tools to make this a reality.
He acts through the Word, the ministries of the Church, the fellowship of the saints, the direct action of the Spirit and many other ways.
However, there is a very clear New Testament strategy by which the man of God is formed in his image: discipleship.
Jesus’ great order was: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,…..” Matthew 28:19
This is more than gathering people or bringing adepts to a religion.
Making disciples is shaping lives to God’s standard, especially through teaching and example.
When a person is born again, his/her spirit is recreated, and a new nature is released within him/her: the nature of God.
However, the character of this person needs to be worked and improved day by day through discipleship.
Paul wrote to Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Paul also wrote:
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1
Here is the synthesis of what it is to make disciples: To stand as a model and teach people to live God’s standard, so that they can do the same with others.
May we have a sanctified character that will bring glory to our beloved Lord and Saviour.