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Character Training
- September 26, 2017
- Posted by: William Hurtado
- Category: Transforming Education

What is Highest Education?
Highest Education is not higher education, because an academic degree is not the end-goal; it is highest education, because something much greater is the goal—eternity.
If a diploma is an earthly treasure, then a Christlike character is a heavenly treasure. “A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next.” – Maranatha, page 224. The quote continues:
- “Mental ability and genius are not character, for these are often possessed by those who have the very opposite of a good character. Reputation is not character. True character is a quality of the soul, revealing itself in conduct.
- A good character is a capital of more value than gold or silver. Integrity, firmness, and perseverance are qualities that all should seek earnestly to cultivate; for they clothe the possessor with a power which is irresistible–a power which makes him strong to do good, strong to resist evil, strong to bear adversity.
- Strength of character consists of two things–power of will and power of self-control. Many youth mistake strong, uncontrolled passion for strength of character; but the truth is that he who is mastered by his passions is a weak man. The real greatness and nobility of the man is measured by his powers to subdue his feelings, not by the power of his feelings to subdue him. – Maranatha, page 224
Highest Education is about character development. Not for behavior modification’s sake, but because at the heart of an encounter with Jesus Christ is transformation of character. There is so much clutter and noise in our society today, which is why we need to take the initiative and “add to our faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7
“Add,” according to Oswald Chambers, “means that we have to do something. We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save nor sanctify ourselves—God does that. But God will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk correctly before Him. We have to do all that ourselves. We must “work out” our “own salvation” which God has worked in us (Philippians 2:12). Add means that we must get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages that is difficult. To take the initiative is to make a beginning— to instruct yourself in the way you must go.” That is Highest Education.
How are you “instructing yourself” and your family in this Jesus-style education? Engage with this website’s offerings and find yourself on the path to eternity.