Character change, not Charter Change

By S. Bill Jimenez

CHARTER CHANGE has become a hot topic in the Philippines. Some Filipinos, in favor or against the change, are engaged in confrontational debates. Big rallies are held where top government officials and religious leaders are vocal participants. In a recent rally, a senator was reported shouting curses and invectives. This is conduct unbecoming of his position. It used to be that senators were distinguished as models of good attitude, behavior, conduct and decorum (abcd).

There seems to be an urgent need for character change in the country. The word character is only two letters more of charter. Insert the letters AC (Acceptable Conduct) to charter and we have character. It’s good that GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct) is still part of the elementary curriculum in our schools. Teachers teach this course to elementary pupils as they inculcate moral and spiritual values and plain good manners and right conduct. We think it is a valid course to develop among students good character.

With the deterioration of morals in the country, for we often hear and read reports of graft and corruption in the public and private sectors, and even immorality among religious leaders. A number of officials enjoy denouncing others until they are also caught doing the same. They like to look at the telescope instead of in the mirror when making judgments and accusations. Have our religious leaders and educators failed to mold the character of our people?

What we really need in the country is character change from to top to bottom of the citizenry. Parents, teachers, religious leaders, public officials, business executives and everybody should begin to ACT (Acknowledgement, Conversion and Transformation). We need as a people to acknowledge the problem, have some form of conversion, and work out the process of transformation.

First, we must acknowledge that we are all sinners. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Second, is conversion. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
Third, is transformation. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
As a Christian nation, let’s resolve to ACT for character change and live righteously. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

Amen

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments