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How can we show the character of God?

Al Menconi

I try to do the right thing all the time, don’t you? In fact, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to be a man or woman of good character. No one goes through life thinking, “I want to be a lowlife, a pervert. I want to do the wrong thing!”

As Christian parents, we believe we should show good character at home – but how do we do that? We demonstrate it by being Christ-like. Christ is perfect, so we need to be perfect too. Right?

But is that possible? No way! Because of our sin nature, we sin. We blow it. We get angry with our kids or spouse. We make unreasonable demands. We have lustful thoughts. No matter how often we ask ourselves “What would Jesus do?” we will occasionally do or say things He wouldn’t.

The true test of our Christian character is how we respond when we “blow it”.

Often, especially when dealing with members of our family, we try to hide and/or ignore our faults, or make excuses:

“If I don’t mention it, they won’t see it.”

“It’s not my fault.”

“He/she got me angry!”

I couldn’t help it! I was tired!”

“Everybody does it!”

Our children are watching us and evaluating Christianity by observing what we do and say. “Is the Bible real?” “Is it valid for today?” “Is Jesus a fair and loving God?” “Is this the type of life I want to lead when I grow up?” These are questions our children struggle with. Often we parents think we have to be perfect because Christ is perfect. We are afraid that if we admit a mistake, our children will know we aren’t perfect.

How foolish! Our children already know we aren’t perfect. If we try to hide our mistakes, it just makes the matter worse. The media refer to this type of behaviour as hypocrisy. So do our kids. Our role as a parent, spouse, and Christian is not to be perfect. It is to model growth in Christ. If we want to model Christ to our children, we must openly admit and ask for forgiveness for our less-than-perfect actions.

Reprinted, with permission, from Al Menconi Ministries, Box 5008, San Marcos, CA 92069, phone 1-800-78MUSIC.

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Last modified August 31, 2000.

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Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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