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CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 26, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 48.

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CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

By A. C. Gilbert

A. C. GILBERT. (Danville, Ill.)
Of all wonderful buildings that God can create, or man construct, none is more wonderful than the building called character. Both God and man have important parts to act in its construction. One cannot work independently of the other. God, the great master architect, draws the plans, and we are to build accordingly.
God made us free moral agents, and endowed us each with the power of choice, therefore we are responsible for the kind of material that is put into this building. The quality depends entirely upon the way in which we spend our time.
If a man wishes to build a house that will endure the inclemency of the weather, and withstand the ravages of time, he first lays a good foundation, and then selects the best material that can be found. He does not take what happens to come his way, or that which is the most easily obtained.
So we who desire a character that will bear up amid the trials and perplexities which are just before us,—a character that will stand the test when the great Inspector shall critically examine the work upon this most wonderful building,—must now be seeking earnestly for that substance which will, when molded by the immaculate hand of Jehovah, fit us for the society of angels and the presence of God.
How may we secure the essential requisites for this work?
Although science may be the gambler’s motto, and luck the trader’s maxim, shall we obtain our characters in this way? Do you think to get into heaven through chance?—No, no; far from it. How then?
As every building must have a foundation, let us see what the apostle Paul says about the foundation of character: “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Tim. 6:18, 19. Here are enumerated some of the attributes which are essential to the building of good character,—that we do good unto all men; that we be abounding continually in the works of God; ready to distribute to those who are in need; willing to communicate to others the great and precious truths so liberally given us of God. If we will make these truths practical, carrying them with us into our daily life, we shall find no time to idle away.
He who is striving day by day to improve his opportunities and privileges; he who realizes that his time is given him of God, and that he is responsible for every moment; and that “of no talent God has given will He require a more strict account than of his time,” is building upon a sure foundation—the Rock Christ Jesus—which will endure throughout eternity; for he has the assurance that Christ will help him build, and that God will work in him “that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Christ Jesus.”
The completeness and perfection of Christian character is not attained until every impulse to help others comes from within. Do not think that this building is completed in an instant: the work is accomplished by daily living an honest, upright, Christian life. Love for others will become the ruling principle of our lives, and we shall form the habit of doing good to our fellow men, and every motive and every impulse will be for the uplifting of humanity.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48. This does not mean that when we accept Christ as our pattern and example of perfection, we at once become perfect, nor that we no more can sin; but it does mean that we have within us those elements of perfection which, if developed, will reach its highest standard. The reason we have not reached a higher standard is because we have allowed these inborn, God-given talents to remain dormant. The thing for us to do is to arouse ourselves and see whither we are going,—up or down the scale of perfection,—and earnestly cultivate those gifts and traits of character which will, when properly cared for, enable us to grow up into perfect men and women in Christ Jesus.