What would you say your reputation is? How is your temperament? How do you believe others view your ethos? What traits of yours do you believe others admire? In other words, what is your character?
We all have a variety of traits that make up our character. Our temperament, attitude, ethos, habits, disposition, and aptitude are just a few others observe about us. When we add all of them up, we identify the character of someone.
But how do we hone these character traits? They don’t simply come about on their own. Oh, there are some we are predisposed to based on our genetics. Yet we can build on those we deem to be good character traits and grow new character traits we believe will aid us in life. Despite popular belief, a person can change quite a lot about themselves, if they truly desire it.
We admire people of stately or noble character. Many times, we want to be like that person. Unfortunately, far too often we don’t desire it enough to work toward building a better character. We prefer to take the easy road rather than the road less traveled. We go with the flow rather than cutting our own pathway. We hang out with the same group rather than searching for a better one.
Making a change is hard. I know from personal experience. Leaving behind your old ways, pursuing new ways takes a concerted effort, discipline, and a strong desire. There are struggles and challenges that come with it. There will be missteps along the way. We likely will face ridicule from those we leave behind. Yet, in the end, building a noble character is worth it.
Building our character on God’s promises, knowledge, and wisdom is noble. As we build that character, our faith is strengthened, our hope becomes more confident, and our lives improve dramatically. We begin living the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).
Being of noble character also provides us opportunities to lead others into God’s kingdom. We become a living, breathing example for others to follow. We become the stately person others want to be like. We become the image of Jesus for others to see.
I pray we all pursue a noble character. I pray we desire to live the abundant life Jesus promised. I pray each one of us seeks to be the image of Jesus to the degree possible. Be of noble character. Pursue God’s wisdom. Be a positive example for others. Strengthen your faith. Increase confidence in your hope.
Acts 17:11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Marty Pressey 