CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

Salt is the combination of two basic chemicals: sodium and chlorine. When they are combined they form salt. Christian character is composed of two important ingredients: faith and works. As chlorine gas is a deadly poison by itself, so faith without works is dead. Metal sodium alone is likewise destitute of the saving quality of salt. So is works without faith. As the chemical union of these two elements forms salt, so faith and works, when united, give life and efficiency to Christian character.

Christian character is genuinely qualitative.When Jesus said to "have salt in yourselves" He was inviting us to link up to the authentic Source of Taste! The Psalmist put it this way: "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps.34:8). Later, Peter adds: "now that you have tasted that the Lord is good....grow up in your salvation" (I Pet.2:2-3). The most compelling evidence then is demonstrated through what Paul calls "the fruit of the Spirit"(Gal.5:22), which includes "love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

If the Church is to regain its influence in our present decadent society, perhaps we need to
take another serious look at what Scripture says about Christian character and start putting it into practice.

BLOSSOMS AND SUMMER FRUIT

Years before Disney World invaded Orlando, our family took a spring vacation to Florida. I will never forget the delicate smell of orange blossoms filtering through our van as we drove past miles of orchards. They appeared as beautiful flower gardens with nature's promise that soon summer fruit would appear.

Paul reminds us that "we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Cor.2:15). One of the dangers during blossom time is the intrusion of blight. The promise of delicious fruit is painted in the delicate spring flowers. But sometimes a sudden frost, a strong east wind or some insect mars the blossoms that affect its fruit. Marred fruit is always second best!

In the parable of the vine and the branches, Jesus reveals the secret of good fruit: "no branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine" (John 15:4). Sap cannot flow through branches that are not connected and sin in the Christian will mar the quality of our testimony. The key to fruit bearing is daily communion with God through His Word, prayer and confession (I John 1:7-9). When the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal.5:22-23), flows through our lives, "the aroma of Christ" will become evident as we bear "much fruit" (John 15:5,7). What kind of fruit are you bearing for Him? After all, your decision will affect your testimony and may be the one link to someone coming to Christ.
--B. Pent