A sign in an elementary school classroom read: ‘Character Counts’. The sign seemed to speak on the premise that the public did not value Character but, in reality, there was actually some worth to it. I would like to use logic and the Word of God to examine the message of this sign.
The premise that no one seems to value Character stands as an undisputed fact. Of course, in the real world there are those who value character, but in the common American view, it is not only overlooked but stomped upon. You only need to watch some popular television shows or movies that are being watched by the mass majority of America, and you will find my statement to be true. We do not value character. We do value pride, excess, good liars, those who get away without getting caught, violent justice, dangerous lifestyles, and putting people down. In the days of Benjamin Franklin, people went around saying things like: ‘A penny saved is a penny earned’ and ‘A stitch in time, saves nine.’ Now, the opposite is true. Children are taught to spend – usually on things they don’t need – and they don’t even know what a “stitch” is.
What is Character? “The thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character {Reflecting Christ, 301.2}. In addition to “Moral Character,” there is also what I call the “Life Character.” This would basically be the “common sense” and life training that one possesses. It would also include the ability of the person to handle stress and new situations, recover from losses, and endure rough times.
What is so important about Character? You can look at this from two perspectives that are both valid. The first would be more devoted to the “Life Character,” and the second would be more devoted to the “Moral Character.” [You see that I make a distinction in the difference between Life and Moral character. However, as we go on I would like to bring together into a more perfect harmony.] The first perspective of why Character is so important is that it is essential to life on this earth. That is why that I link it more closely to “Life Character.” People who have succeeded in this earth are those who have overcome problems and struggles. Almost no one is born with an easy life. There are those who have inherited riches, but there are few who could truthfully claim that there life been void of challenges, stress, and heartache. We see then that Life Character is made up of several attributes. Flexibility to adapt to changing and situations is necessary for the world of business and anything else. Logic is principle to a continued success in any field. Being easy to get along with is valued as one of the most essential aspects of leadership.
Let me now reveal what is controversial. Everyone knows to some degree that character counts. But does it just count? Or does it trump? Character trumps all knowledge, skill, eloquence, and riches because with Character you can gain all the things it trumps, but without it you can lose all the things your skill or riches brought you. Great men in the past have proved this fact to the world. If you are a skilled educator with sound principles of logic and hard work, you can take a young person, instill in them your wisdom, train them correctly in the practical aspects of life, and turn them loose. This young person, although destitute of money, knowledge, and connections will be able to push their way through life and not only become a useful person in society, but will most probably rise to the top of the business world and become a sought after person.
We now turn our attention to Moral Character. Although the saying says, “Those who are heavenly minded are no earthly good,” I would like to prove that this is past just obviously untrue, but is an outright falsehood. All throughout the inspired history of the Bible, we find that God gave work for man. In the Garden of Eden he gave work as a blessing to man, although it was soon made wearisome by the addition of the ground being cursed after the Fall. Down through time, the true followers of God were taught a practical trade with their hands, as well as the knowledge of books and the theology of God. During the early days in the Old Testament, it was considered a sin for children to be raised without a practical skill that they could fall back on or rely on if their “desk job” failed. Even the priests knew a trade. During times of apostasy, this “true education” died off, but people like Elisha started ‘schools of the prophets’ that purposed to guide youth in the principles of Character development and a true knowledge of God. Continuing on down through the ages, Christian men and women have forsook the easy path to riches and “get rich quick schemes” (Proverbs 28:20), knowing that their treasure is in heaven, and have been productive members of society- offering hard work and intelligence for the betterment of society.
Now I would like to connect the two types of Character. Moral character is summed up by the law of Ten Commandments as found in Exodus chapter 20. Those Christians who believe in moral character find in this brief ten “words” a description of what constitutes a moral character. However, on close examination, six out of the Ten Commandments directly relate to a person’s Life character! To honor your father and mother, preserve life, be faithful to your marriage, respect the property of others, tell the truth, and be content with what you have provides a comprehensive, albeit brief, summation of what constitutes Life Character. Even the fourth commandment dealing with the true worship of God on the Seventh day of the week involves the balance of rest on one day and hard work on the other six. So, in actuality, if you possess a Moral Character, you have a Life Character already perfected!
In conclusion, I would like to show prophetically that Character Trumps. The book of Revelation describes a people who “stand on the sea of glass” and have gained the final and ultimate victory over Satan and over the challenges of this life. They are described as clothed in “white raiment” (3:5) which represents the “righteousness of the saints” (19:8). They have come out of a “great tribulation” (7:13-14) on this earth that included a decree that none of them could buy or sell and finally a death decree (Revelation 13:11-17). They are free from guile or deceit and if this list doesn’t convince you, the Bible says that they are “without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:5).
Do you see that Character Trumps? It is the only thing that you can take to heaven. You won’t take gold (a.k.a. pavement in heaven) and you won’t need your ridiculously small knowledge of earthly things. There is nothing you can actually take with you except the Character that you have allowed God to perfect in you during the short hours of probation that you were given!
What is the answer to the American dilemma I proposed in the beginning of this paper? The key is education. Not the education that we are used to, No, it must be a higher form of education then is given to PhDs in our current state. It must be so much higher that only One person can truly teach it. It must be the education that can only be received in the School of Christ. It must not only consist of book learning, for that is not how any of the “schools of the prophets” operated. It must realize that the mind is actually physically connected to the body. It must realize that to have a perfect mind, you must perfectly treat the body. This education must actually use logic in its reasoning. The fact that life is mostly composed of true principles and persistence in work must be espoused. It must keep in focus that although it is important to have Life Character, Moral Character is the only thing that will count for eternity.
I challenge you as the reader to take a step back. Consider the character crisis that is all around us. Consider your own character. Do you see the glaring flaws? I see many of my own. May we educate ourselves and the precious, moldable characters of our young people to have a character that trumps.
“The only security for any soul is right thinking. As a man "thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). The power of self-restraint strengthens by exercise. That which at first seems difficult, by constant repetition grows easy, until right thoughts and actions become habitual. If we will, we may turn away from all that is cheap and inferior and rise to a high standard; we may be respected by men and beloved of God.--MH 491” (1905). {2MCP 666.3}
