True Character

We've probably all heard someone talk about another person's true colors. Webster says this means to reveal one’s real nature or character. You may have heard someone say, “I saw his/her true colors in that difficult moment.”

Interestingly, I penned this topic, and a week later former President Donald Trump was struck by a bullet in an attempted assassination. When he put up his fist and said fight, he showed his true colors. Regardless of his other characteristics, at that crucial moment, he was saying to every American don’t ever stop fighting for the country you love.

This chain of events led me to personally contemplate my character. The attributes I want to proclaim are the characteristics that Jesus displayed. To be honest, I know what they are and have even studied many of them. Yet the struggle continues for me to live out these desired characteristics, especially when met with disappointment or an unwelcome event.

Even if you don’t know Jesus or have a relationship with him, I hope you’ve heard a Bible story and know of His undeniable characteristics of love. Let’s look at the story of Lazarus in the Book of John, chapter 11 of the Bible. Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus who had two sisters, Martha and Mary. He became very ill and the sisters sent word to Jesus who was only a few miles away. Upon receiving the message, Jesus knew he had already passed. Four days after Lazarus was laid in the tomb Jesus arrived in Bethany. When Martha met Jesus she was crying and questioned why He took so long. Reading the story word for word from that point:

“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?” So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, as he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:33-44 NASB1995

Jesus showed deep compassion for Lazarus and performed an incredible miracle. In Psalm 111, many other characteristics of Jesus are listed including: splendid, majestic, righteous, gracious, provider, just, truthful, redeemer, awesome, wise, and praiseworthy.

The Lord’s Promise: “He has made His wonders to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and compassionate.” Psalm 111:4. Psalm 103:8 also reiterates these attributes: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness.”

Promise Reinforced: “The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure.” Psalm 111:7

For You Today: Don’t lose hope! Spend time evaluating the characteristics you desire. Keep striving to be consistent with those attributes. Remember, you will never be perfect; you are human, and you will fall short at times. However, Jesus being the perfect one, consistently shows the perfect true character of love.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10