Character, which is the sum total of our moral and ethical choices, is based in the heart and shines forth in what we say and do. Christians often forget that, from God’s perspective, all our talents and abilities mean nothing if we are not going to do the hard work of developing our character. God absolutely cares about character, so much so that it could be said that the Bible is a character textbook, filled with many stories of men and women who have developed and lived by godly character, and many who have not. In this issue of The Sower we explore the topic of character, what it is, its role in our Christian walk, and how to develop it.
This issue opens with godly character, a letter from John Schoenheit, which discusses the importance of character. John provides us with some great insights and an understanding of the high priority that we must place upon it.
The lead article, “Humility-Dying to Self, Feet First” by Karen Theisen, explores how foundational humility is in developing of godly character. The Importance of Character is this months Contender article by Dan Gallagher in which he examines in detail what character is, what God says about character, and how “character is really a matter of the heart.”
In our Fuel For the Fire, Joshua Anderson investigates “Why Your Life is Revealed on a Need-to Know Basis,” as he develops the concept of each person’s life mission from the perspective of the spiritual battle. In The Vine, Mike Patten expands our concept of speaking to others on behalf of Christ beyond teaching and preaching, by probing the idea of “testimony.” As he says, “Everyone can testify as an eyewitness to what Jesus has done for him or her personally.”
In our Partner Profile, Evonne Anglesey highlights her journey in Christ and how Spirit & Truth Fellowship has contributed to her spiritual life through her “study and understanding of the Bible.” John Schoenheit once again discusses a figure of speech, Homeopropheron (Alliteration), the repetition of the same letter or syllable, and thus the same sound, which God uses throughout the Bible to put emphasis where He wants emphasis.
Every Christian’s goal should always be to please Christ, and the only way to do so is to develop godly character. We believe you will be inspired, possibly convicted, and hopefully motivated as you see that when it comes to our Christian walk, Character Counts!
