The world needs good character

Remember that old song, "What the world needs now, is love sweet love..."? I am reminded of the need for good character. The world needs good character. Many issues of life, family quarrels and disputes, corruption, substance abuse, crime and war can be averted if we have good character. In the character building program that I use, I strongly present that each of us has a God-given conscience that is dead when we are not renewed by Christ. We fail to hear our conscience which is activated by the Holy Spirit. This chapter in Romans is all about followers of Jesus activating their God given conscience.

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Our lives are filled with moment by moment decisions that require us to respond to all kinds of impulses. We constantly need to ask God to search our hearts to see if there is any wicked way in us. As Paul wrote this chapter I am sure there were issues in the church that could only be resolved by understanding where we should be with Christ in us. The chapter ends with Paul quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22.

Romans 12:20-21

Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is so counter normal human behavior. Are we ready to obey this scripture? The enemy became an enemy because of something terrible he did to you. And now you are to bless him. We can only do this when we move out of our broken human nature and obey our God-given conscience.

Father, help me to operate with your character always.

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