Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Character & Courage

While I was reading "Growing in Christ" and "The Happiness Factor", and on the articles talking about CHARACTER and COURAGE, it immediately direct me to a person I know. Some would say it is just a coincidence. But, what I've heard from Sunday services, camps and conference, learned in lifegroups, read from bibles and other books AND what (relating to an issue/ teaching) is/was happening around me come simultaneously. It is not for the first time, but for many times and continuously. I feel like God wants to speak to another person through me. And it is at the right time, right place and right circumstances. I feel privileged to be able to do so.


Now, to the person that I'm sending this to. It is YOUR responsibility to hear and to listen as Romans 10:17 (NIV) says "Consequently, FAITH comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."


Your CHARACTER: (Partington, J. 2007. “The Happiness Factor” New Wine Press, Malta.)


1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV): “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”


“Birds of a feather flock together”: If you mix with people with bad habits, you’ll start to pick the habits up too. Start to change your social circle. (John Partington, 2007)


1 Corinthians 15:34 (NIV): Come back to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God – I say this to your shame.


==> Relate this to your current social circle. Who are you hanging out with? I’m not talking about judging others, but use this as a mean to judge yourself. Often, the people around you do reflect how you are like. They are like mirrors. We all need to be constantly assessing our characters.


Have COURAGE: (Hughes, S. 2005. “Growing in Christ” CWR, Singapore.)


1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV): Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.


Courage strengthens our character. Do not lack of moral courage. Our character is weaken every time when we refuse to face up to issues and confront them.


“Many Christians lose their witness because of lack of courage. They lie down before everything instead of standing up for something. All is not lost while we have courage. Christ is ready to give you all you need.”


Read also: 1 Corinthians 16:5-18 (NIV)


Story: A minister faced the situation of an elder in his church openly involved in an adulterous relationship. Everyone was aware of it and some members pressed the minister to speak to them. The minister’s response was not to intervene in the hope that the matter would right itself. Nine-tenths of the members walked out, leaving a remnant who were not very spiritually minded. Soon the one-tenth who were left disbanded. The minister lost his church because he did not have the courage to face up to an issue and take action.


==>Do you have the courage to stand up firm and faced when the problems have occurred? Or you just know it is there and let it be or give yourself excuse to treat it later and continue to sin?


Prayer: “O God, let the courage that pervaded Jesus also pervade me. Strengthen the courage I have with yours, dear Lord. Amen.”


==>Character Needs Courage: (Hughes, S. 2005. “Growing in Christ” CWR, Singapore.)


Read: Romans 5:1-11 on Peace and Joy


Romans 5:3-4 (NIV): Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.


  • Here Paul speaks of the development of character.
  • The hope Paul talks about is the confident of expectation that when we pursue what is right, we will have the backing of the universe.
  • When we confront issues --> troubles, sometimes suffering. But, the trouble and suffering strengthen our moral fibre --> they produce character. It takes courage to stand up and be counted, to resist evil, and speak out when wrong is being done.
  • Fear of suffering is what lies behind an inability or unwillingness to confront wickedness. BUT if we truly love Christ and seek to follow his footsteps, ought not our love for Him to be sufficient to dispel all fear? Perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). If you lack the courage to challenge wrongdoing don’t try manufacturing courage. Consider if your love for Christ is sufficiently deep and strong. That’s where the problem lies.


==>Where’s your courage? For God’s love to you, isn’t it more than enough for you? And why do you still fear? Many times, you claim that you know what to do but why didn’t you really make a firm decision to do what God wants you to? Is it because of your fear of suffering?


Prayer: “Lord Jesus, may my love for You so increase that it flushes out every fear. I would be ruled by love, not by fear. Help me, dear Saviour. Amen.”