First, Citizens Give Character to a City. If our community and our local cities have any character at all, it will come from the citizens of this area. Character doesn’t come from the town and all of its infrastructure. It doesn’t come from what it has to offer, or its economic strength. In part, it doesn’t even come from some person elected to office. Character comes from the people who make up the city. Indianapolis, Greenfield and the surrounding area will be nothing more than the people who call it home.

Secondly, Citizens Determine the Character of a City. How we live, how we act, and how we treat our fellow man all contribute to what kind of city and community we will have. As stated, it is not necessarily the leadership, although they are important, but what we are and how we are known is determined by us as citizens. We are the ones that elect our leadership, we are the ones who have the ability to go before our officers and speak our voice and define what we would like for our cities. I firmly believe if there was ever a time when people need to stand up and let their voices be heard, it is now. Our character and reputation depend on it.

Proverbs 11:10 says that “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth.” I am afraid that we have reversed God’s plan. Instead of cities watching and being concerned with righteousness, we are too concerned with offending someone with good Christian morals and character.

Lastly, Citizens Can Destroy the Character of a City. What we are is what our community will be. By the way, it doesn’t matter what anyone may say, one person can make a difference. This has been proven many times over. There are many ways citizens can destroy character. However, instead of destroying it we need to determine in our hearts that we will uphold Godly principles and do what thus saith the Lord. Sometimes we are too concerned with the profile of our land or what it has to offer as far as jobs, entertainment, and prestige. However, more importantly is what we have to offer as God-fearing citizens that are governed by God more than self or men having a concern for mankind’s eternal destiny rather than their temporal social status.

We can have all there is to offer, but all these things will pass away. If we can get people to give their hearts to Jesus and live by his word our homes, our community, our schools, our city, and even our nation will be different. We will find the greatest life of peace when we stop governing ourselves and allow God to have his way in our lives.

It is time for us to put away our sinful living, return to our Holy God, and to put God first in all that we do.

Please don’t get me wrong, I am very pleased and proud to be a citizen of the good city. However, I cannot help but think how much greater our city could be if we would rely upon the Lord more and put God first in our lives.

I close by asking you, if our city were just like you what kind of city would we have?