by Hanna M. Jagow

Created on: January 31, 2010   Last Updated: February 05, 2010

First we need to define the word "character."  We are not talking about somebody's Aunt Hazel who has a mustache and smellls like lilac.  We are not talking about a cowboy whose six-shooter is "for hire."   For our purposes we will be be addressing the meaning of the word in association to those who exhibit honesty, integrity, empathy, endurance, and an ability to put others' needs first, especially when it is inconvenient.

There is a scripture that says "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."  (Proverbs 20:11)  In other words, people judge the character of a person, even a child, by tangible evidence of inner values as exhibited in outer behavior.  Character is important for many reasons. 

Every world religion has a form of what is commonly referred to as the "Golden Rule."  However, in every religion save one, the rule is expressed in a negative.  "Don't do to others what you would not want done to you."  Jesus was the only one who made it third person imperative: "(You) do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  His is a higher standard, for not only does He command that we refrain from doing harm, He expects us to see needs and meet them in the exact way that we would want ours met.

Living out this high standard to the best of our ability in a world that laughs at basic honesty and judges themselves by a watered-down version of righteousness called "situation ethics" is challenging, but many are attempting to do just this.  These are the quiet folks who take meals to shut-ins, send Christmas cards to soldiers, pray for those in need, sacrifice a portion of their own income to support needs in the world, usually for people they have never meant.  This is the true essence of character, manifesting the love of God that starts on the inside and naturally produces outer behavior that blesses others.  If every single person on the planet adopted such an attitude, the changes that could be wrought can only be imagined.

Being salt:

Besides having been commanded to "do" by our savior, displaying genuine Christian character is important for other reasons.  The world is watching, and they are quick to note the difference between what we say and what we actually do.  Teachers and mental health professionals know that role modeling is the most effective teaching tool there is.

Character for some is a global concept, not certain

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