Article April 22, 1967 Issue

The Importance of Christian Character

DOROTHY RICE ARMATO

We may ask ourselves, "What is Christian character and why is it so important?" The standards for it are set forth in the Holy Bible, and all peoples and nations who revere this book honor the models of character set forth in its pages. Christ Jesus is the great Exemplar. The fact that Christian character inspires and guides men and women to high achievement, noble aims and motives, and love for one's fellow beings and has been doing this for centuries in the honor of God, the Father, is evidence of its importance to our lives.

Mrs. Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, "We know that all will be changed 'in the twinkling of an eye,' when the last trump shall sound; but this last call of wisdom cannot come till mortals have already yielded to each lesser call in the growth of Christian character."^{Science and Health, p. 291;}

This important statement shows that although one may be suddenly healed of a physical difficulty through Christian Science treatment or may suddenly see the light of Truth as did Paul the Apostle, he must grow into "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ"^{Eph. 4:13;} in order that his nature may express the healing power of divine Principle. Paul's nature was transformed by his putting into practice his newly found ideal of Truth. For some this growth may be slower than for others; yet as one perseveres, there will be steady advancement. Obeying "each lesser call" is a sure way to realize the blessings of spiritual growth.