Character

A few days ago I spent a little more time than usual catching up on reading blogs online and ended up running behind in my morning routine. Even though I knew I had enough time to get to work, I felt the need to make up for my lollygagging. Now, normally I drive close to the speed limit on my route to work since there are a few places where motorcycle officers like to rest on their Hondas (or whatever they ride), but that particular morning I felt the need to drive a little faster than usual. And I thought, if character is who you are when no one is looking, then what does this morning say about me?

I asked a couple of people what traits a person of "good character" would have. Some of the responses were
Honesty---Integrity---Loyalty---Good morals---Decency---Modesty---Reliability

Of course, this is not an all-inclusive list. One of the people that answered went on to say that someone of good character is someone who strives to be Christ-like.

That's an honorable ambition, to be Christ-like. But you know what? We all fail at that. So does that make us bad people? No, not if we do our best every day.

But do we? Can we honestly say with the utmost integrity that we are 100% loyal in practicing good morals, decency and modesty, with 100% reliability? Do we really try our best in every action to be Christ-like? I don't think I've met another human being who can say that he or she does. I know that I can't. Otherwise I wouldn't have felt the need for speed earlier this week, and drivers wouldn't need the warning sign that is shown in the picture (and the officer would be at It's A Grind sipping coffee instead of sitting on his motorcycle).

It's been said, "Sow behavior, reap habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny." For those that believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, our destiny is eternal life in heaven. But our behaviors, habits, and character do not meet God's standard of holiness and would taint the purity of His glory. That is why Jesus took on our sins when he died on the cross. For, as Watchman Nee once said, "The Spirit can't anoint what the cross hasn't crucified." When we surrender our character, flaws and all, to Christ and accept His forgiveness, we will be able to partake in the glory of heaven.