Before I was a Christian, I considered my life to be my own, and what I did with it was my business and no one else’s.

Boy, did I have a lot to learn once I became a born-again believer when I was in my mid-30s.

At first, people who had previously known me viewed my conversion as a passing phase, something like getting over a bad case of the flu.

But then, the evidence for an authentic spiritual transformation began piling up. The Holy Spirit began “housebreaking” me for life in my “Father’s house,” and my tastes were changing fast.

Sadly, that’s when most of those people dropped me like a bad habit.

So, what seemed to be bothering them?

Before conversion I was a heavy drinking carouser with a very worldly character. Like “birds of a feather,” I attracted friends with similar affinities.

Then something began to happen inside me, gradually at first. I began to lose my taste for all that dissipative behavior. To be clear, it wasn’t me doing this, it was God all the way.

Paul the Apostle put the result this way in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8:

“We are not of night nor of darkness; so then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

So, what does this look like?

The late Bible commentator Bill MacDonald wrote: “… faith, love, and hope — the three cardinal elements of Christian character … Faith, or dependence on God. Love for the Lord and for one another. The hope of Christ’s return.”

As written in 1 Thessalonians 1:5:

“… for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men (that) we proved to be among you for your sakes.”

MacDonald continued, “The primary ministry of a Christian is the ministry of character.  What we are is far more important than anything we ever say. Our unconscious influence speaks more loudly than our conscious influence. James Denny said, ‘A Christian’s character is the whole capital he has for carrying on his business. In most other callings, a man may go on, no matter what his character is, provided his balance at the bank is on the right side; but a Christian who has lost his character has lost everything.’”

Reputation flows directly from character.

Someone once asked, “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Those who constantly dogged Paul’s steps to find something to accuse him of returned empty handed because Paul had a sterling reputation among believers and unbelievers alike, “… you know what kind of men (that) we proved to be among you for your sakes.”

Paul’s upright character authenticated his message even though his enemies were always on the lookout to discredit him. It is the same today for every Christian, especially those in leadership.

What is your effect on other people?

Do you carry the “aroma of Christ,” or is your effect on others less pleasant?

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, Paul challenges us with this:

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing …”

How About You?

Let’s get something straight. I am not even close to perfect, and I do not expect to become so in this earthly life.

We’re not talking perfection here — we’re talking about cooperating with the Holy Spirit in changing the general direction of our lives from worldly to Christlike over the course of our lives.