Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

a. when Paul was shipwrecked, the natives showed him “unusual kindness; for they kindled afire and made [them] all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold” (Acts28:2).b. kindness is not always repaid instantly, but it is always part of cooperating with God (SecondCorinthians 6:1-10)c. the Good Samaritan is kind, because he stops and helps, while the priest and the Levite areunkind for they do not care enough about one of their own4. kindness can be as simple as a tiny, little act of encouragement or as great as a massiveendowment of assistance, but in any degree, it is necessary to play a role in whatever it is God wants toaccomplish with your lifeC. Integrity1. we remember Boaz as a man of integrity, who is more than fair with Ruth the Moabitess and whoupholds her chastity when she uncovers his feet during the night of her proposal2. another Joseph was a man of that kind of integrity (Matthew 1:18-19)a. Joseph knew in his heart that she was innocent and that there had to be some unknownexplanation for her pregnancy and he was unwilling to prosecute her under those conditions, so God wasable to use him in the life of his own son on Earthb. Joseph had no interest in humiliating Mary whom he knew to be chaste3. integrity is moral soundness–honesty, fairness and impartialitya. here is someone, like Boaz, intent on doing the right thing no matter the cost and even ifothers selfishly will not bear their own loadb. Timothy was told to be an example of good works and sound speech, teaching with integrity,reverence and incorruptibility (cf. Titus 2:7-8)4. integrity prevents us from cutting moral and legal corners, from reading our opinions intoScripture instead of reading God’s will out of it, from sinning willfully with the insincere intention ofrepenting later and repeating the process continually5. it takes integrity to be useful to God, which is why so many false ministers are being exposedthese days for their corruptibility, not only in doctrine, but in deedsD. Sexual Morality1. one supposes that Ruth might have tempted Boaz when she came to his room and lay at his feet,but the man showed himself to be trustworthy and chaste2. others in similar circumstances might have given in to lust, but Boaz could not3. did these people have this sense that God was working out some master plan through themundane decisions of their lives?a. probably not, and neither do you, but that is the pointb. the moment we decide it doesn’t matter what we do, we become useless to God and he has tofind somebody else to take our place4. how often is it sexual immorality–lewdness, lust, fornication or adultery–that puts someone onthe bench? (First Thessalonians 4:3-8)a. Jesus taught that looking at someone with the intent to lust is tantamount to adultery (cf.Matthew 5:27-28); Paul added that fornication is a corruption that is not easily cleansed (cf. FirstCorinthians 6:18-20)b. even participating in lewdness–the role of enticer–is an evil that disqualifies you fromusefulness in God’s plan (Romans 13:11-14)ConclusionBoaz is a study in kindness, generosity and integrity; he is a man that we can emulate is so many ways.Character Studies! 125