THE CHAEAGTE~<br >OF CHRIST<br > For roughly fifteen years various earnest people，<br > eager to know God， have asked me to write a book<br > on "The Character of Christ." Some of these thirsty，<br > seeking ones have been ordinary lay people like my-<br > self. Others are scholars， pastors and teachers.<br > This book is my third serious attempt to respond<br >to that compelling inner cry of the human spirit， "Oh，<br >that I might know God， Whom to know is life eternal"<br >(see John 17:3). For when all else is said and done，<br >a man s greatest and highest goal in life is to enjoy<br >intimate communion with Christ.<br > The keen companionship which can be developed<br >and cultivated between Christ， who is God very God，<br >and a humble human being is based upon a clear<br >understanding of His character. Not until we come<br >to perceive clearly with our spirits the true nature of<br >Christ and what a sublime person He is do we ever<br >actually draw near to Him or allow Him to draw near<br >to us.<br > The first book I wrote to portray the true character<br >