Godly character

Remember my Reflection about the Kentucky Farmer? I've known Roger Cunningham since 2011, but I see him only one weekend a year. He's a humble man who doesn't talk about himself, and I didn't know some very important details of his background. Since I am talking about Godly character today, I'll add some information that I discovered.

Not only is Roger a top-rated refrigeration expert and farmer, he is also a professionally certified engineer, highly qualified in the structural field, and owns and operates a licensed engineering contracting firm that does work for the state and numerous local government agencies. Folks, with God as my guide and Roger as my friend, I could not have been in better hands! Roger's qualifications, reputation, and character are outstanding.

And that leads us into today's Reflection about Godly character.

It's interesting how different folk prioritize character traits, or Godly attributes, as having a higher value than others. For example, one person considers honesty as the highest character trait on the list, while someone else views compassion as the most important. Yet another extols humility. So, which one is the most important?

That can't be answered because it misses the main point; and it reminds me of when a friend asked me some years ago, "Which of your five children do you value the most?" I told him, "That question has no answer because they are all equally valuable." And it's the same with the various attributes of God: they are all equally valuable.

Character is a transliteration of χαρακτήρ, or carakter, which denotes express image. The idea is a brand, an engraving, or indelible mark -- in this case, an image or imprint on the soul. Therefore, a character trait of God is an attribute which characterizes or closely represents the nature of God.

Having worked with an organization called Character First (now Strata Leadership), I helped teach what I unofficially called the character traits of God. There are quite a few identified in the Bible, but here is my list. Don't go to sleep now. Read this list slowly and think about God as you read each word (in alphabetical order).

Depending on the circumstances, God is: Alert, attentive, available, bold, cautious, compassionate, content, creative, decisive, [shows] deference, dependable, determined, diligent, discerning, discrete, [manifests] endurance, enthusiastic, faithful, flexible, forgiving, generous, gentle, grateful, hospitable, holy, humble, [shows] initiative, joyful, just, loving, loyal, meek, [Jesus was] obedient, orderly, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, patient, persuasive, punctual, resourceful, responsible, [Jesus was] reverent, righteous, secure, self-controlled, sensitive, sincere, sovereign, thorough, thrifty, tolerant, transcendent, truthful, virtuous, and wise.

Still awake? Good. Almighty God is more amazing than you or I could ever imagine! After reading this partial list, can any one of them be considered more important than the others? The answer is a definite no. It takes all of them -- plus more -- to describe or define who our God is.

But we can truthfully say: depending on the circumstances, several may be more applicable than others.

For Example: If I am going for a job interview, a loving or reverent attitude might not be as relevant as being attentive or punctual -- depending on the job, of course. And if the house is on fire, we can forget hospitality; but being decisive, determined, and dependable would really help.

Roger, mentioned above, manifested no less than 31 Godly character traits as he helped me with the RV A/C unit. It's amazing how much we represent God as we help others. Why is that?

Remember my Reflection about being an ambassador? When God created mankind, He programmed us to be like Him. In Genesis 1:26 God said, "Let us make man in our image; to be like us." Therefore, as we endeavor to live a good life, it isn't just our duty and responsibility to represent God -- to be His ambassadors -- we can't help it because it's part of who we are. And as we help others, we are the extension of God's hands and feet.

But there's another side to this.

Some folk purposely live in rebellion against God. Some thrive as they steal or defraud others, damage reputations, hurt or commit murder. Some are greedy, ruthless, haters of good. I could continue, but you get the point. These folk have nullified God's eternal plan for their lives.

However, if they repent and honestly ask to be forgiven, God will forgive them although they may face the consequences of their poor decisions.

What kind of character are you manifesting?

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Gene Linzey is a speaker, author and mentor. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.