The Developing Christian Part 4

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)

Character. It just rolls off the tongue. Unfortunately, it also seems to roll off of people without sticking.

Suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character. I never really understood how true that is. People persevere through all types of things, but I believe we fail to understand how character is perceived by others, especially when we are associated with certain others.

Take Senator Obama for instance. He has been severely criticized (and probably rightly so) for his relationships with people like a terrorist (Ayers) and an angry tirade by Rev. Wright. As decent as Senator Obama may be, his associations are ruining who he may be as a person.

Here is what the Bible says:

Don't let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. 1 Cor 15:33 (GW)

Associations also corrupt your thinking. Character develops around our influences. No one can say that if they listen to Howard Stern everyday, that Howard doesn't influence their thinking.

This is why suffering in faith is so important. As a developing and growing Christian, I must realize I will never be perfect. I never realized how much others influenced my thoughts, until I tried to defend myself once using Scripture. I had heard great sermons but had not followed up with good Bible study, and I found myself floundering.

I am not saying preachers are deceptive (some are). I am saying that my character reflects things I am influenced by. When I suffer for the wrong things, my character reflects the attitude of the things I cling to.

The same is true of the opposite. If I suffer and remain steadfast for the right things, my character reflects it. This is where the rubber meets the road. I have to be grounded if I want to have a Christlike character. My faith has to have substance. People do not realize that they become what they feed themselves.

If you only listen to a sermon, you are only getting one side of the conversation God wants to have with you. Your character develops lopsided. Tempered character must be refined just like the steel that makes up the blade of a sword. If the steel is not properly tempered, it will shatter.

Bad character shatters in the midst of suffering. Godly character is refined and proves stronger with each use. Hope needs foundation. Character refined by God provides that foundation. This is why Christians, when placed in the arenas to be fed by lions, would get on their knees and worship God. They knew who they were. The ones who fled were the ones whose character had not been refined - they did not know hope (a topic for tomorrow).

So the questions I ask today, what influences you and the formation of your character? What do you want to do about it? Does being called a Christian by title instead of lifestyle fit your character?