Character Is Respected

Character invites respect and admiration. This comes over time as a track record of consistently doing right becomes evident. Your character becomes valuable as a creditable community assigns it value. This begins in your home. Does your spouse, children or roommates see the same person in private as others see in public? The alignment of your private and public character is necessary to qualify for the respect of respectable persons.

The Lord both creates character in His children and confers blessings on its attributes. One of His favorite descriptions of His favorite ones is a “righteous” man or woman. “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness” (1 Samuel 26:23). Character means something because Christ says it means something. He respects righteousness. Righteous behavior is a barometer of the Lord’s blessing.

Have you ever observed how another’s character rubs off on your behavior? If you are around a gentle person for any period of time do you tend to grow in gentleness? If you are honored to see up close the generous deeds of good people do you become more generous? If praying people regularly lift you and your needs to the Lord do you find yourself looking for those with whom you can intercede on their behalf? People of character have a profoundly positive effect on you, as your character does on others!

God created you with an innate desire for authentic respect from those you admire. It is when you feel respected that you more quickly reciprocate respect. However, be cautious not to dwell on feeling respected. Instead, extend respect and as God grows your character respect for you will take care of itself. Character is an incubator for respect.

You may ask, can righteousness bring alignment in my relationships? Yes! It prepares the road of respect on which relationships travel more smoothly. “Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps” (Psalms 85:13). Respect reaps the rewards of trust and transparency in growing relationships. Is my character worthy of Christ’s respect and the admiration of respectable persons? Do I respect character in others?

Related Readings: Psalm 92:12; Psalm 112:6-9; Matthew 1:19; 1 John 3:6-8

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?