Saturday // 14th December 2024
A good Character is the foundation of a ministry!
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. Reputation is what people think we are; character is what God and the holy angels know we are. People with character have integrity; what they say and do comes from a heart fully dedicated to God. Integrity means inner wholeness; we’re not trying to fool others (hypocrisy) or fool ourselves (duplicity).
Character is Joseph saying “no” to Potiphar’s wife and going to prison for being honest and chaste. It’s Moses giving up the privileges of an Egyptian prince for the perils and problems of a Jewish prophet, and for forty years sacrificially serving a people who didn’t deserve his leadership. It’s Jeremiah devoting his lifetime to faithfully pleading with his people, and seeing the nation die before his very eyes. It’s Paul saying, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1), and getting slapped in the face for saying it.
A healthy and holy character is formed by making Scripture a part of our inner being and obeying what it says. It comes from spending time faithfully in worship and prayer, gladly making sacrifices and willingly serving others. International fame and reputation is no guarantee of character. Someone spoke wisely that “When little men cast long shadows, it is a sign that the sun is setting.”
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin