When I think of a person of high character, I think of Tom Landry. He was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, as they participated in the National Football League, he was their first head coach. He coached from 1960 to 1988.
In those 29 seasons, though, they started with a winless season, he led them to a winning legacy that we all know of as the Dallas Cowboys today. In those 29 years, he had something like 20 winning seasons, 19 playoff appearances, 13 division titles, five Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl victories.
Tom Landry was a winning coach, but even more importantly he was a man of character. He was an Air Force veteran who flew 30 combat missions. His Christ-like character was demonstrated, and he wanted to see that character in his players.
Philippians 2:18 -30
18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. 19 But I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven character, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly. 25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need, 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold people like him in high regard, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me.
If you want to have godly character, surround yourself with people of godly character. As you see people with godly character, you can emulate them just as they are pursuing Christ.
Choose joy in your life despite the circumstances.
Even though Paul was in prison, Paul’s joy came from the gospel. He encouraged the Philippians to hold Timothy and Epaphroditus in high regard, to emulate them and to speak well of them. On the contrary, 1 Corinthians 15:33 says that “Bad company corrupts good character.”
You should evaluate who you allow to influence you daily. Evaluate the characters that separate them from others. Be careful who you choose to be in your inner circle that you allow to have influence in your life.
Also, evaluate the influence of media in your life. How much time do you spend watching media? What are you consuming? Over time the media that you consume will influence what you think, behave and do. Be careful where your influence comes from. Media can sometimes be that bad company that corrupts your good character.
Psalm 1:1-2 says,
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
You can choose good character by choosing to respect and honor God’s plan for your life. Paul shows that he trusts the Lord. He allows his relationship with God to influence his life in such a way that what others did and thought didn’t matter. When you trust in God, you can see your stress decrease and your joy increase. Do you have people speaking into your life that you know that God is speaking into your life?
Paul gave his whole life up when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and determined that he would trust in the Lord. Paul trusted the Lord above everything else.
Like Timothy, follow Christ faithfully.
Timothy had a compassionate faith. Timothy saw Paul’s journey firsthand. Paul asked Timothy a great favor regardless of distance and time because he knew that Timothy cared deeply.
Think of someone’s name who needs love, care, and kindness and show them that compassion. Timothy also had a committed faith. Timothy had served with Paul in the furtherance of the gospel, like a child serving his father. Timothy was always there and always committed.
Jesus had a total commitment to us and He expects the same commitment from us. We see this commitment in Paul and in Jesus. I pray that Christ would see it in you.
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Like Epaphroditus, follow Christ relentlessly.
Epaphroditus was relentless and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the gospel and for Paul. Look around and evaluate. Are those in your circle willing to pursue Christ relentlessly?
The highest honor is when we respect God’s character so much, that we emulate it. Who has godly character in your life? Write down their name and emulate them.
Never once did I see my grandfather mistreat me or my grandmother. Who is that for you? We need godly examples in our lives. Honor them with your words and follow them because they follow Christ.
