Character Counts

In this day of compromising living character still matters. It still matters in the home where a husband and wife trust each other because of the covenant marriage vows they exchanged. It matters with the children so the parents can trust them whey they are out of sight. It matters in business when employers lead with integrity and take care of those who work for them. It matters in government when politicians get elected and work to keep the campaign promises they made.

It also matters in the church. Sadly there are plenty of charlatans, swindlers, deceivers and showmen who prey on innocent unsuspecting followers. Money is embezzled. Adultery is committed. Secret take over schemes are planned and orchestrated. Lies are fabricated, told and believed.

Character matters in the church. Over the years hypocrites have done their harm to the church. Often they go unchecked until it is too late and the damage is done. A long trail of destruction is left for someone with integrity to clean up. Many get hurt and disillusioned in the process.

It is easy to make promises and tell people what they want to hear. It is much more difficult to speak truth in love. I thank God for all those faithful pastors, deacons, teaches, choir members, elders, and those who served on committees with character and integrity. I am thankful for those God put in my life to speak truth, at times hard truth, to keep me on the straight and narrow.

I recall a group who served on one committee I sat in on. I later found out that six of the seven people on that committee all struggled with pornography. The sins might be different but the church is in crisis because so many people are living hypocritically. Sins like gossip, stirring up strife and division in the church, falsehood, deceit, immorality and much more are all listed in the Scripture. How can reasonably expect God to bless and be pleased with a dirty bride. A blemished bride.

I wish we could all live with this thought before us. There will be a day of accounting. A day of reckoning. Read it for yourself. I need not make any further comment. See if God thinks character counts.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NASB)
13  The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
14  For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.