DAY 28

BUILDING KINGDOM CHARACTER

NIKKI KORTH, DIRECTOR, TWC SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

In the Kingdom of God, impact is not measured by power, popularity, or outward success, but by the depth of our relationship with Christ. God is constantly shaping our hearts and lives to reflect His nature. As followers of Christ who live in His presence and are shaped by the Holy Spirit, we bear His fruit. When we allow the authority of the Holy Spirit in our lives, each act done with humility and every decision to honor God in private and in public forms our character and carries weight in Kingdom living.

As I was reading through the book of Acts this summer, I felt revelation about the idea that godly character is not just personal growth—it is Kingdom advancement. 

Acts is an action-oriented book, and I have often found myself reading through this book rather quickly. I challenged myself this summer to read through Acts really slowly, to allow the words and the story to saturate my mind. I would take a chapter at a time or sometimes even half a chapter, re-read through chapters a few times, write out verses, and so on. An interesting pattern caught my attention. Many times throughout the book when someone new was introduced, there would be a little side note in the next verse or few verses saying something about the person’s character. What happens because of these people's character brings either death or life into the Kingdom.

Here are contrasting examples of multiple people's character and the resulting impact on the early church that stood out to me. First we have Ananias and Sapphira who lied about being generous compared to Tabitha who was known for doing good and helping the poor. Then we find Simon the Sorcerer who wanted to purchase the gifts of the Lord compared to Cornelius and his family who were devout and God-fearing, generous, and prayerful.

Let’s take a look at what Acts tells us.

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Acts 5:1–5

This was a time when many people were selling their homes and possessions and giving to the early church. This couple together decided to do the same but allowed everyone to think that they gave all the money when they actually kept some for themselves. The lack of character here was not generosity related, it was a desire to make themselves look better through a lie. How often are we tempted to do something like this in our everyday lives? 

Now compare this with the story of “a disciple named Tabitha; she was always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9:36). Here we encounter a woman who exhibits godly character. She was known to the community by her actions of serving. This is a miraculous story where this woman has died and Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit, raises her to life again. 

These stories are talking about literal life and death; however, during my prayer time, what came to mind was life and death in relation to God’s Kingdom. From the text we see that seeking personal gain resulted in death and serving others resulted in life. The picture here is about what our character produces related to kingdom advancement. Promoting our own image often leads to death and destruction to ourselves and those around us, where serving others brings life and fruitfulness. The times in my own life where I have chosen to elevate myself often led to relational strife compared to the times I elevated others, which produced the fruits of joy, peace, and goodness.

Next up we have a sorcerer named Simon contrasted with a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Acts 8 recounts the story of Simon the sorcerer, who ends up believing the good news and getting baptized! This leads to him following Peter and Philip around, being amazed at the outward power of the Spirit and offering to pay the disciples for the ability to perform such miracles. Peter’s response is as follows: 

May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. Acts 8:20–24

Interesting to note is that when Simon is first introduced, the text tells us that “he boasted that he was someone great”. Here is our second example of someone within the body of Christ who did not submit their character development to the Holy Spirit, but rather held on to the desire to be someone great. The result? His story is over, we do not hear about him further. What could have been a beautiful conversion story simply ends without furthering thegood news.

The story of Cornelius on the other hand leads to exponential growth! Cornelius is described in Acts 10:2,

He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

An angel visits him in a vision in Acts 10:4b–5 and says,

Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.

The conclusion of the supernatural meeting of Cornelius and Peter is the revelation that the good news is for all people, including Gentiles. This interaction, offered to a man obedient to God, opened up the gospel for the entirety of humanity.

What is the purpose of allowing ourselves to be shaped by theliving God, of practicing the narrow way, and of refusing to be swayed from our spiritual disciplines that form our character?What did those memorial offerings result in for Cornelius? Oneman, full of kingdom character was able to play a pivotal role in kingdom building all for God’s glory. It regularly astounds me thata holy and all powerful God would choose to work through us, but He does! May we be continually refined by Him that we might have a part to play.

PRAYER: Pray about some people you can go to for feedback, who know you and love you, and ask if they had to make a comment on your character, what would it be? If it doesn’t remind you of Tabitha and Cornelius, pray David’s prayer of authenticity in Psalm 139:23-24,

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

If it does remind you of our godly character references, pray a bold prayer asking for your next assignment that you may get to participate in the joy of advancing God’s kingdom. My prayer for you is that you dive in and submit yourself fully to allow the presence of God to guide and shape your life!