LENGTH: A Life
There are no overnight successes or failures in the kingdom of God. Rather, our character is built or torn down over time with one decision, one action, one thought, one word at a time. At his farewell speech to all the people of Israel, the prophet Samuel said, “I have walked before you from my youth until this day...”(1 Samuel 12:2). He lived each day before the eyes of others. And now looking back and measuring his entire life, he stated, “...you have not found anything in my hand.”
Samuel lived his life in such a way that no one could find blame in him or accuse him of anything. How? He mentions two things that he will CONTINUE: pray and instruct. As with Samuel, the goal is to keep steady, to live a life of integrity, a life above reproach. How? First, by prayer. It gives perspective to our lives as a whole and connects us to the God of our character, a God who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). Second, by God’s Word. Psalm 119 says that by it we are given protection (vs. 9, 133), light (vs. 105, 130), and wisdom (v. 98).
HEIGHT: A Sense
Every day we must have a sense - an awareness- of God and His presence. Who He is and what He has done can never be forgotten. We must listen closely and not lose His whisper in the roar of our vision, our busyness, and our zeal. We can miss His kind conviction, His loving correction, and His faithful guidance.
God saw Samuel before Samuel heard God (1 Samuel 2:26; 3:10). God sees everything, knows everything, controls everything. So when He, the sovereign God, speaks, He knows what He is talking about! God spoke to Samuel and Samuel obeyed. God honored Samuel’s obedience and “let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:18-19). That doesn’t happen overnight; that happens over time in the lives of those who have a holy reverence for God and a heart united to fear His name.
DEPTH: A Purity
Is there anything in your life you don’t want anyone to know about? When it comes to character, we cannot stay private. We cannot keep hidden what impedes our relationship with God, our marriage, our family, etc. We cannot keep secret that which if shouted from the rooftops would ruin us. We must have a passion for living for God by living above reproach. Somehow we forget that integrity is holiness and that the power of God comes to a pure heart.
Samuel prayed to God and God sent thunder and rain (1 Samuel 12:16-18). That’s something we’d all like to do! But we can’t be amazed at the thunder and despise the other thing that Samuel also did, “Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you...you have not found anything in my hand.” (12:2-5) Thunder, gifts, and competency will all make room for men. But purity, holiness, and character will make room for God. What we need MOST is a pure heart.
WIDTH: A Confidence
How wide is your sphere of influence? It may be a home, it may be a church. It may be a corporation, or it may be a private business. You may have one person in your life or be overseeing thousands. You have a sphere of influence. Can your character go public? Are you ready for your private life to be brought into the public light?
The prophet Samuel and the apostle Paul (Acts 20:33; 2 Corinthians 7:2) made wide-sweeping statements regarding their character. But they didn’t get up and leave quickly before people could disprove them. They stuck around and gave plenty of room and time for those under their leadership and in their sphere of influence to call them out. Yet none did. Not because Samuel and Paul were perfect, but because they lived a life of character - of repentance and forgiveness - and the proof was in the people around them.
Jesus said to His disciples, “the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me” (John 14:30). There was nothing in Jesus that the devil could accuse Him of: Jesus was perfect. We are not. But He who lived and died above reproach lives in us. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). We can live a life of character, with a sense of His presence, a pure heart, and spiritual confidence, through Him.
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