A hero has fallen

What happens when the heroes you once had as a kid reveal their true character and are not the real heroes you once believed them to be?

True character reveals itself in time.  Those words were written to me in an email exchange from someone who will remain nameless who saw a glimpse of someone’s true character.  This particular person was speaking of someone in which we both knew and have seen do horrific things.  For a moment, this person spoke wisdom and truth but like the tides this person, and we are all guilty of this happening, became blind to the truth once again.

It does not take great effort to see with human eyes the true character of someone.  How we handle life eventually reveals to everyone in our life the type of person that we truly are. The problem becomes that we often choose to look the other way.  We choose to pretend that what is taking place is not that bad.  NO matter the lies or destruction caused by the person or situation, we turn a deaf ear and choose to remain the side of Switzerland.  No sense in rocking the boat or causing someone to feel uncomfortable.  Right?

I posted a couple of weeks ago about the disciple Peter.  He was a fly by the seat of your pants kind of guy.  Always talking and getting into trouble.  Kind of a loose cannon. Though is was a risky candidate, He was chosen to be a disciple. He was a man that Jesus chose to be part of “His team”.  Though Jesus chose Peter, he was not instantaneously transformed into perfection. 

Peter was a walking demonstration of what the work of Christ looks like within us.  He was a great example of true character revealing itself over time.  Peter messed up a lot.  We could sit and make a list of his sins but that is not the point right now.  The point I am trying to make is that though he sinned, he continually revealed through his actions his true character.  When he fell, he got back up and pressed on toward the prize.  He pressed on toward the goal of being transformed into the person God created him to be.  He experienced speed bumps and roadblocks but was able to get around each one because he walked with Jesus.  He had been with Jesus.  He reflected Jesus.  Though his life was not perfection, his heart was a heart that followed the Perfector and finisher of his faith, his life.

 1 Corinthians 3:13 says “their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.”  One day we will stand before the Lord and our work on earth will pass through the fire.  Our words and actions will be tested and our true character will be revealed.  No amount of singing, writing, sporting of God proclaiming tattoos, speeches and so on will matter if done with deceptive hearts. 

Throughout the Bible, we are given access to the lives of many who walked with God.  We see their stories, ugliness and all. We are also able at times to see the motives behind their actions, which may be ugly as well.  We are given insight into stories. We are given the ability to see what God sees in some of those people.  What does He see in you today?  Do the words you speak align with the actions you participate in behind closed doors?  Do you proclaim to stand for Christ but choose to support those things that hurt others?

Our true character is never hidden from God.  Though we may hide it from the world, God sees our devious ways and dark hearts.  In time, those around us will see our true character, whether good or bad, being revealed.  When we are tested and our faith is stretched, our character will be revealed and the world will know where we truly stand in hard times.  Did we make the choice to be bitter and full of hate or did we choose to love as Christ has commanded us to love.  Just sit back and watch.  That person who claims to follow Christ will eventually reveal true character and you will know who claims the throne of their life.