Let’s face it:
It’s not easy to become a person of character. It takes a good heart, but it
also requires wisdom to know right from wrong and the discipline to do right
even when it’s costly, inconvenient or difficult. Becoming a person of
character is a lifelong quest to be better.
A
person of character values honesty and integrity, and pays whatever price is
needed to be worthy of trust, earning the pride of family and friends and
self-respect.
A
person of character plays fair even when others don’t and values no achievement
unless it was attained with honor.
A
person of character has strong convictions, yet avoids self-righteousness.
A
person of character believes in the inherent dignity of all people and treats
everyone with respect, even those whose ideas and ideologies evoke strong
disagreement.
A
person of character deals with criticism constructively and is self-confident
enough to take good advice, admit and learn from mistakes, feel and express
genuine remorse and apologize graciously.
A
person of character knows what’s important, sacrifices the now for later, is in
control of attitudes and actions, overcomes negative impulses and makes the
best of every situation.
A
person of character willingly faces fears and tackles unpleasant tasks.
A
person of character is consistently and self-consciously kind and empathetic,
giving generously without concern for reward.
A
person of character feels and expresses gratitude freely and frequently.
A
person of character is not defeated by failure or dissuaded by disappointment.
A
person of character seeks true happiness in living a life of purpose and
meaning, placing a higher value on significance than success.
—Michael
Josephson,
Commentary 401.4, March 17, 2005.
God Does the Unexpected
In spite of the
patriarchal arrangement, God picks a woman to speak for him. Deborah is
recognized as a prophet in Israel. This is just like God. He does not do the
expected thing. When we meet Gideon, the next judge, he says of himself: “My
clan is the poorest in all Manasseh and in all my father’s house none counts
for so little as I” (Judges 6:15, Knox). When we meet Jephthah, we learn
he was illegitimate (Judges 11:1). Although we know we should not judge a book
by its cover, most of us do it anyway. God never does (1 Samuel 16:7).
We
see in Deborah a respected woman in Jewish society. … Women had a valuable
contribution to make in Old Testament times and they have a valuable
contribution to make within the body of Christ. Let no one ever say to any
member, male or female, “I have no need of you” (1 Corinthians 12:21).
—The Herald of Christ’s
Kingdom, September/October, 1999
Take
Heed
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God” (Acts 20:28).
When the Spirit of the Lord raises leaders for the Lord's people, the result is wholesome. The Judges of Israel raised by the Spirit of God from time to time according to the need of the Israelites were Godly men of noble influence. Contrast this with the large majority of kings of Israel and Judah who led Israel in idolatry. Much better to accept the leading of the spirit. All who have influence among the Lord's people should be mindful that they represent the Lord. Their allegiance is to God, godliness, and truth. If this responsibility is kept in mind, their influence will be proportionately wholesome, godly, and spiritual.