• Psalm 51:6: “You desire integrity in the inner self, and you teach me wisdom deep within.”
• Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Character and Righteousness:

• Character is the face; reputation is the photograph.
• Character grows from within; reputation grows from without.
• Reputation is what you have when you move to a new community. Character is what you have when you leave.
• Reputation is what people think you are. Character is what God, yourself, and those closest to you know you are.
• Reputation is what man desires. Character is what God desires.
• Character is built over a lifetime. Reputation can be made in a moment.
• Character grows like an oak; reputation grows like a mushroom.
• Character is the one thing we develop in this world and take with us into the next.
• A single news report can give you a reputation. A life of diligence gives you character.

We’re not alone in our fight for a life of character. Through faith in Jesus Christ and His way of salvation, God has promised to put a new heart of character in us. Really, something more than character – RIGHTEOUSNESS. Righteousness is pure white, bright light, no blemishes, no decay. It is the character of heaven, living on earth.

Yes! We can choose character. Greater still is to receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Character will be a by-product.