Word origin fascinates
me. Taken for example the word character. Today it can mean a letter or symbol
used in print or it can be the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an
individual. But both these meanings have the same origin.
In ancient times, (brick
makers, engravers, etc.) used a symbol to mark the things they created to show
that they were the makers. That symbol was his “character.” That symbol became
a measure of the work being done. The
quality of the person and his work gave value to his credentials. If the work
was good, so was the character. If it was bad, then the character was viewed as
poor.
It isn’t any different
today. We may want to label ourselves with certain words and phrases. But in
the end, it is what we do that gives value to those words. If we call ourselves
Christian and don’t act properly, it ruins the name. If we claim to be the church
of Christ and behave like any other group, we dilute the meaning.
They profess to know
God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and
worthless for any good deed.
Titus 1:16
A good name isn’t given, it is earned. A name
can be right but the actions behind it can undermine it. A good character can
be ruined in just 140 characters. They
will know you by your deeds. Does your work support your character?
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