Building A Godly Character

Bro. Ken Passwaters

Character We Build Now We must ever strive to keep in view that it is character we build now that determines whether our future life will be spent in those everlasting habitations. It would be well for us to ask ourselves frequently how we are progressing in this most important of all works. Are we making our foundation sure and firm? Are we using the best material available? Are we diligent and careful in the work, or is it slipshod and haphazard? Can we feel with all sincerety that it will stand the test of time and stress? These are questions that if properly answered will reveal whether we are going steadily along with the construction that will be approved by Christ. If we inspect our character as we would a building that needed repair, we should start by trying to find the flaws....those things that weaken the building. Counting the Cost Luke 14:28-30 Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.

First do exactly what Jesus says, sit down and count the cost. Bring ourselves to the realization that this is a solemn task we are undertaking, one that requires a life to be dedicated to the service of God and our brothers. One that demands the best material for the building of a Godly character. Then we should, with the help of our heavenly Father and our elder brother, Christ, determine to build wisely. Avoiding delays that may be costly, or wasting material that may indeed keep us from completing the building, or being lazy and slothful, doing only what we wish to do at a time that suits our own convenience. Once all this is given a careful consideration then we are ready to go ahead and lay the foundation. We are all aware that the foundation which we lay is Christ. The scripture tell us "for other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus." Undoubtedly this is the foundation on which we all started to build. It is possible that we stopped right there, going no farther than just to lay the foundation or perhaps we have forsaken the firm foundation and are deceiving ourselves into believing that we are still building toward that everlasting habitation. It is recorded that through wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established. Paul says as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him as ye have been taught, and again lay up instore for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that ye may lay hold of eternal life If we know that our foundation is the one true foundation, then we can press forward with our building. Let us keep before us, as we build, the words of Solomon when he began the building of the temple Behold I build a house to the name of the Lord my God and dedicate it to Him, to burn before HIm sweet incense. We should all realize that we have embarked on a serious business and we are no more our own but laborers together with God, being God's husbandry and God's building. We are the temple of the living God and the Spirit of God dwells in us. Paul says whoever defiles the Temple of God, him will God destroy, for the temple of God is Holy.

Blueprints Builders of today call in architects to design and plan the building and make the blueprints. He then determines the cost from the architects plans. Engineers determine whether the land will support a good foundation. The foundation must be solid and sure. Contractors pour the foundation and the builder begins the walls and up goes the building. The engineer, contractor and the builder know exactly what to do from the architects blueprints. The blueprints for a Godly character have been drawn up by God and are found in the Bible.

Psalm One Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Potter God is the potter and we are the clay. He is trying to mould us into a vessel of honor, which He can use. With His planning and moulding, the vessel will be one of honor but if the clay isn't strong enough to hold the shape after He forms it, it will be one of dishonor. If we will be shaped by God's word and continue in them, then our characters will be one of honor not one fitted only for destruction.

Ken Passwaters