Christian Character - Part 1

But a man named Ananiashis wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with himsold a piece of
land, secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles
and made an offering of it.
Peter said, Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back
part of the price of the eld? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the
money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this?
You didnt lie to men but to God.
Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into
everyone who heard of it. The younger men went right to work and wrapped him up, then
carried him out and buried him.
Not more than three hours later, his wife, knowing nothing of what had happened, came in.
Peter said, Tell me, were you given this price for your eld? Yes, she said, that price.
Peter responded, Whats going on here that you connived to conspire against the Spirit of
the Master? The men who buried your husband are at the door, and youre next. No
sooner were the words out of his mouth than she also fell down, dead. When the young
men returned they found her body. They carried her out and buried her beside her
husband.
By this time the whole church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these things had a
healthy respect for God. They knew God was not to be tried with.
Acts 5:1-11 MSG

Denition
The English word character is from a Latin word that means engraved'. It is the inner
moral strength.

Dictionary:
the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. (Oxford Dictionary)
synonyms: personality, nature, disposition, temperament, temper, mentality, turn of
mind, psychology, psyche, constitution, make-up, make, stamp, mould, cast; More
the distinctive nature of something.

Christian Character is living out Gods nature that is engraved within. It is living out Gods
perfection that is within. You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of
godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity],
as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:48 AMP.

It makes us stands out. Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men
of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we
may assign to look after this business and duty. (Acts 6:3 AMP)

Christian Character is what makes our life a reection of God, his righteousness and
spiritual life. All things are legitimate [permissibleand we are free to do anything we
please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, protable, and wholesome). All things are
legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. (1
Corinthians 10:23 AMP)

Christian character is a product of personal conviction, an inner (inside) resolve and
willingness that is engineered by the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. It
is not compromised by what is on the outside: Let your character or moral disposition be
free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly
possessions] and be satised with your present [circumstances and with what you have];
for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you
without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor
forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]. (Hebrews 13:5 AMP).

Christian character is different from Charisma and gifting.
Charisma is a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.
Charisma will attract people, but Character will keep them. Charisma will open doors but
character will keep the doors opened.
Character will build solid and long lasting relationships but charisma will do the opposite.
Christian character is what validates our charisma and gives probity and integrity to what
we show and profess.
Charisma must be combined with Christian character for us to live as true disciples of
Christ The Lord.
Jesus had both and that is why we are still here today

Christian Character must be developed and taught.
BUT [as for] you, teach what is tting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine [the
character and right living that identify true Christians]. (Titus 2:1 AMP)

For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in
exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in
[exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence) (2 Peter 1:5 AMP)

Therefore, since we have been made right in Gods sight by faith, we have peace with God
because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has
brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we condently
and joyfully look forward to sharing Gods glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into
problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance
develops strength of character, and character strengthens our condent hope of salvation.
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us,
because he has given us the Holy Spirit to ll our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:1-5 NLT)