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Constant Character
David Jeremiah
But [God] honors those who fear the LORD; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change.
Psalm 15:4
Recommended Reading
Psalm 15:1-5
In the 1960s, an Episcopal priest named Joseph Fletcher developed a theory of Christian ethics known as "situational ethics." He said that the highest biblical law was selfless (agape) love and that other lesser laws could be disobeyed if necessary in the pursuit of love. Therefore, the ends can justify the means. And, one's circumstances or situation can determine which of God's laws one keeps.
This unbiblical approach to God's laws can also lead to "circumstantial character" - the willingness to allow one's circumstances to dictate one's character. If God says He does not change (Malachi 3:6), and if it is God who lives in us (Galatians 2:20), it's hard to see how we could be justified in changing who we are - our character - as a response to our circumstances. One of the characteristics of those who dwelt in the presence of God in the Old Testament was a willingness to suffer loss rather than compromise their character (Psalm 15:4).
Character has often been described as what people do when they know no one is looking. Because God's eyes are always open, our character needs to be constant before Him.
A person's character is accurately measured by his reaction to life's inequities.
Unknown
Read-thru-the-Bible
Acts 21:17 -- 23:35
David Jeremiah
But [God] honors those who fear the LORD; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change.
Psalm 15:4
Recommended Reading
Psalm 15:1-5
In the 1960s, an Episcopal priest named Joseph Fletcher developed a theory of Christian ethics known as "situational ethics." He said that the highest biblical law was selfless (agape) love and that other lesser laws could be disobeyed if necessary in the pursuit of love. Therefore, the ends can justify the means. And, one's circumstances or situation can determine which of God's laws one keeps.
This unbiblical approach to God's laws can also lead to "circumstantial character" - the willingness to allow one's circumstances to dictate one's character. If God says He does not change (Malachi 3:6), and if it is God who lives in us (Galatians 2:20), it's hard to see how we could be justified in changing who we are - our character - as a response to our circumstances. One of the characteristics of those who dwelt in the presence of God in the Old Testament was a willingness to suffer loss rather than compromise their character (Psalm 15:4).
Character has often been described as what people do when they know no one is looking. Because God's eyes are always open, our character needs to be constant before Him.
A person's character is accurately measured by his reaction to life's inequities.
Unknown
Read-thru-the-Bible
Acts 21:17 -- 23:35
