Smeagol is Free!
A hermitudinal view of...stuff...


8.31.2004  

Character

Character. As defined by Merriam-Webster, it refers to moral excellence and firmness. That very definition could, by today's accepted standards, define someone such as Oprah Winfrey as having character. Jerry Rice, according to a recently published article on ESPN's website, would also qualify. Yet there's got to be more than just being firm and excellent in morals.



Now, I'm not going to pick on Oprah or Jerry...after all, Jerry's the Man. If anything, I'm picking on myself today. I bring up character because it's something I've had to think about a lot as of late.



Dr. Draper, in his Interpreting Isaiah course, said that our outward moral acts are meaningless until they truly reflect the inward character of the heart. Ouch. We were learning about the setting of the eighth century BC, the time during which Isaiah made his prophecies. That period was not, from a biblical perspective, a time of greatness for Israel. God's people had added many horrid rituals to the system of rituals that God Himself had instituted long ago, and were engaged in a society where the rich got richer and the poor got poorer, with no signs of change on the horizon. Thus, so many of Isaiah's prophecies spoke of impending judgment.



In talking to Scott, many of our conversations have centered upon how we are going about living lives that take captive every moment for the Lord. God has seen fit to develop within both of us a desire to live in accordance with His Word, to live lives of character. Yet, that comes with a price. What is that price? It is the pain of being tried by fire, of having the dross purged from the silver. Is it easy? No. But is it worth it? Absolutely!



As student leaders, it's often difficult to live under the eye of scrutiny. Incoming students are watching, parents are watching, and faculty and staff are always there to urge us on toward obedience to Christ. But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. It is hard at times, and it is humbling, yet it is so worthwhile. Scott and I speak of the accountability that's built in with the roles we have here on campus. How are we going to ask guys if they've struggled with looking at pornography if we ourselves aren't living up to our end of the bargain? How will we urge other students on to more meaningful study and discipline if we ourselves do not practice such things? How can we speak of the gospel in glorious and savory terms if we ourselves are not glorying and savoring in the worth of Jesus Christ? It's simple: we aren't, we won't, and we can't. It's a matter of the inward heart matching up to the outward actions.



Character...joyful and faithful obedience to God, by His grace, for His glory.

posted by Bolo | 8:16 PM
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