A year ago when I stopped posting in this blog I had this question in my drafts. It was just waiting for the day when I would return and finish it up. Although, I have written about character many times, this question asks us to judge an individuals character before we consider obedience. It is asking us to consider whether their character can be trusted, because if we obey an individual who is not trustworthy, then we have not discerned truth. Truth is a must!
When I propose a question that I feel is on my heart, I am really expecting Holy Spirit to bring clarity. Furthermore, I believe that with a question, such as this, it is God who has placed it in my heart to begin with. It is as simple as that! I have godly wisdom, I have godly understanding, but I want to first and foremost be obedient to what God is saying. To move out of step with what the Spirit of the Lord is saying, or doing, is never good. In fact, I have many times said of the Lord, let what I write be pleasing to You, and always in agreement with Your character.
For believers our character is continually under the sanctification spotlight, which basically means it is a process. We all know those who have been so transformed by God’s love that they are not the same people anymore. For each one of us, the character flaws that we possessed before we came to the knowledge of Christ are disappearing. It has all been done by the love of God, and our obedience to that love is character building.
This question is relevant for many reasons. What if I said that trusting someones character could be tied to forgiveness? Think of the times when you were disappointed in behavior, behavior that you knew was destructive, and which impacted you personally. I am sure you formed an opinion of that behavior that was based on character.
When I was in my early 20’ I met a young man that I thought was terrific. He was spontaneous, intelligent, handsome, and all the things that most young women would desire. Yet, the most important man in my life was my father, and he had a different opinion. He observed, in this young man, what he believed would not go favorable for me in the future. My dad heard this young man speak disrespectfully about his parents, and warned me that one day, he could turn that disrespect on me. My dad saw immaturity, and considered that one day, that lack of maturity could get me in trouble.
All of his observations were valid, but to a young girl in love it was difficult to be persuaded. Thankfully, I did listen, and I did observe for myself that what my father said was true. So, when this young man proposed marriage, it was difficult to trust that what I had seen would change as we grew old together. In fact, I had gotten to the point that I did not trust that his character would keep me safe, as there were many mistakes.
At some point I was no longer with this young man, but he continued to pursue me with hopes that I would change my mind. In fact, during the time that we were apart he got saved. This changed everything for him, and yet I was not sure. He was no longer in my life, but he continued to reach out and share his new direction. Now here is where I believe forgiveness comes in. This young man professed to be changed, saying all the things that sounded so good, and yet I did not know if I believed him. It was not easy to let go of the selfish behavior that was there, and now see him as redeemed. Yet, this was God’s plan.
I did forgive him, but it did not reverse my decision. I had met another young man that was totally opposite. He was spontaneous, intelligent, handsome, and liked by my dad. My father saw the character of this young man immediately. Father’s do have a way of seeing what many a young woman could easily miss. Thankfully, for me I did not! After almost 42 years his young man is much older, but he has never given me cause to question my obedience, or his character.
Psalm 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
Romans 5:4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.