When Dr. King made this famous quote, it became a pillar in the civil rights movement and a statement that resonated with the American people.
People don’t want to be judged by others for things they can’t change, but for things they develop in their lives. Dr. King was attempting to reason with the American people that judging a person by their skin color or nationality was wrong. People should be evaluated by their character, which is the sum total of their choices.
The dictionary definition of character is also more than a person’s reputation. It is, “the complex of mental and ethical traits making up the person.” A secondary definition is, “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s ire which determines his or her response regardless of circumstances.”
Here’s the deal: Our country as a whole no longer looks at character to determine a person’s value, rather their words create our perspective of who someone is.
Dr. Martin King Jr. would not recognize the civil rights movement today because character carries very little weight today. The argument he was making was sound because we all know talk is cheap, but sacrifice for one’s beliefs is very compelling.
As a Christian, the concept of being a follower of Christ has so changed that now it only means having a mental perception of what Jesus taught, not being committed to those same values. Jesus taught that we were to live for the kingdom of God first and foremost because it represented trusting the rulership of God above our own. Matthew 6:33 defines a real Christian reality, which means we have shifted from living for self supremely to living for God supremely. Our character is tied to our beliefs and they produce a constantly transformed life. It is a life that is being transformed because we mean business with God and the world we live in.
Let me ask a simple question:Is your character reflecting your values as a follower of Christ or are you just hoping for forgiveness from a merciful God? The first reflects 2 Cor 5:17 and states the old is passing away and we are being transformed daily. The second reveals a faulty perception of what it means to be a Christ follower.
Make the move to being a person who is authentic and has character. All it takes is yielding to your Savior for His miraculous touch and transformation.
Pastor Dale
Your sermons are what helped lead me to the lord and I look forward to reading your blog. I am digging deep into myself and my relationship with the lord through your teachings and asking of thought provoking difficult questions. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family as you bring forth the word!
Hi Maria
Thanks for your feed-back on the blog and my sermons.
Can I suggest you writing out your testimony on finding Christ at SALC? It would be a blessing to me and all who read it.
Hi Maria
Can’t remember is I replied to your comment so thanks for the encouragement- If i didn’t already ask, please write your testimony for my blog and send it. People need to hear from people who trusted God and who are eating their creator guide their lives.
Thanks
Pastor Dale,
It is nice to see you teaching again and adopting your teaching to such a professional media. As you know, I am not a Facebook guy, but apparently I am a blog guy.
May God bless your new ministry. As you stated, we are not retired, we are repurposed. Nice start on your new PURPOSE!
Love you brother.
Hi Jason
Thanks for your feed-back. Many of the post in facebook are now in the blog so you can review past writings.
Hi Jason
Thanks for the encouragement – Please give me regular feedback about the articles that stir you and please be specific on what you like and didn’t so that I can constantly improve my delivery.
Love you my friend!