How do you measure up?

May I ask you a question? Is character important to you? Why do I ask? I'm asking because I want you to think, for a moment, about YOUR character. For most people when asked to consider the importance of character, they immediately think about the other guy's character and not their own. They are usually quick to see the character flaws in others but slow to see their own shortfalls. This reality hit me hard one day. I've always expected others to be honest and upright towards me, but my integrity towards others was relative at best. No, I didn't cheat or steal from my fellowman, but I did justify "fudging" once and a while. I could justify leaving out some taxable income because I resented the IRS. I thought nothing about taking a few items from my employer from time to time. After all he could afford the loss. I could always justify what I did, but I was never willing to admit that I was stealing. Then one day, like I said, it hit me. What if I owned a business, and I had several employees taking home company property at will. I would feel violated. And rightly so because I would be the one taking the loss. I began to see my actions as contrary to Biblical ethics, and finally I admitted to myself that I was wrong. That's when I changed my behavior. Remember the name Ken Lay? He was the Enron guy charged with 11 counts of fraud and conspiracy. We hear the name and think--what a low life. Greed controlled him. But stop and think for a minute. Ken Lay didn't wake up one day and decide to commit fraud and conspiracy. He probably started out cheating in small ways that could easily be justified in his own mind. Without coming clean and denouncing his greed, he kept on until it got out of control and slammed him. Did you know that when the Great Wall of China was completed, it was breached three times. That's right. No, the enemy didn't break through by breaking down part of the wall. The enemy didn't go over the wall. The enemy came right through its gates three times. How did this happen? They bribed the gate keepers. The Great Wall of China, the only man made structure visible from space, was compromised by the gate keeper's lack of integrity. Character is important, very important. Jesus said that His disciples would know other disciples by the fruit they produced. You may call an apple tree a peach tree all day long, but there is no argument when the apple tree's fruit is visible in season. Someone may claim Christianity by his words, but his character tells all. For a man to merely speak like a Christian is not true Christianity. His character will identify him for what he is. On the other hand, someone may be a sincere Christian but slip into sin. What is the difference between a fallen believer and an insincere believer (if there is such a thing)? The difference is repentance. The fallen believer quickly recognizes his sin for what it is and repents. He doesn't cover up his wrong doing and go on living life as though nothing happened. He admits his wrong and rededicates his life to reflect total submission to Christ. The insincere believer never admits his need for repentance. Whatever sacrifices we make to strengthen our character not only honors God but honors society too. We can't let the corruption of the world discourage us. We must lift high the banner of godly living in the midst of worldliness. We are held to a higher standard. The standard is higher than the stars above us. The standard is the Son of God, and He is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is our soon coming King of kings and Lord of lords. Pastor T. Faith Fellowship Church 3101 So. 9th St. Broken Arrow, OK 74012 Senior Pastor Terry Dashner