Christian Character

Goodness, part I

In 2 Peter chapter 1, the apostle urges us to grow in our relationship to the Lord by adding several elements of Christian character. These are to be added simultaneously. We will not become perfect, but we will keep becoming more like the Lord every day. This process will keep us from being ineffective in our service to God, and it will make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:8-11). Faith is the foundation. Peter urges us to add goodness to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5).

The Greek word goodness appears only four times in the New Testament, but it is used effectively. As Peter begins his plea that we make our salvation sure, he assures us that God has given us “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Pet. 1:3). This use of goodness refers to God’s unparalleled excellence of character. God is the essence of goodness; our relative goodness comes from him. Using a similar term, Jesus tells us that “There is only One who is good” (Matt. 19:17). This statement mildly rebuked a young man who had asked what good thing he must do to have eternal life. We cannot merit salvation by our good deeds. But since Peter urges us to add goodness to our faith, we must strive for moral excellence and virtue. Stay tuned…

To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC

Faith, part V

We journey through this life with our eyes on someone we cannot physically see (1 Pet. 1:8). We travel toward a place we cannot see. “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (2 Cor. 5:1). The Christian life is full of challenges and trials, but we know that we are headed to our heavenly home (John 14:1-6). Secular people wonder how it is possible for us to base our hope on something unseen. Paul writes that “we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). The word “live” translates the original word “to walk.” When we are walking somewhere, we must watch where we are going. Do not stumble along the way. Do not wander off the path. In the Christian walk, above all, we must not take our eye off the destination.

We do not understand everything that happens around us, or to us. And without faith we would wander aimlessly. Let us keep our eyes on heaven, our spiritual eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). The destination and the reward will be very well worth the walk.

Next week we will begin to focus on adding Christian virtues to our faith. Let us continue to develop the character that God expects of his children (2 Pet. 1).

To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC

Faith, part IV

Faith is belief and trust. When we fully entrust our lives and souls to Jesus Christ, faith becomes commitment. Paul wrote, “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day” (2 Tim. 1:11-12). Paul believed, was convinced, and entrusted his eternal soul to the Lord. The apostle knew that the Lord was with him every day, including his darkest days.

 As Paul pens the conclusion to his last letter, he mentions his trial before Caesar. “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth” (2 Tim. 4:16-17). Perhaps the lion is a figurative reference to Caesar; perhaps it refers to the grisly way many Christians died in the first century. The truly committed Christian is not selfish with the gift of life. Paul was especially grateful for being spared for a time, that his preaching might continue. Even so, he knew his time was near, and he was ready to meet the Lord and receive the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8). God never deserts us, and we must never desert him. Even if no one else is with us in times of despair, God is there. When we know that, we are strengthened to carry on his work until he calls us home. Stay tuned…

To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC

Faith, part III

Some of the more powerful New Testament passages on faith are directed to believers. Just as surely as “faith only” will not save the sinner, “faith only” will not save the saint. That doctrine tends to create spiritual laziness. Putting it all on God. The faith that leads the sinner to become a child of God should work even harder once he is saved (Eph. 2:8-10). While we do not work to earn our salvation, a working faith is essential (Gal. 5:6; Phil. 2:12).

James the brother of the Lord wrote a great discourse subtitled “Faith and Deeds” in the NIV (James 2:14-26). Faith without deeds is useless and dead. James asks, “Can such a faith save him?” (James 2:14). The implied answer is a resounding “No.” Abraham is known as the “Father of believers” and people have too often said, “Abraham was saved by faith, and that is all I need as well.” James declares that it took both faith and action on Abraham’s part. Only when he was ready to offer Isaac on the altar did God consider Abraham’s faith to be complete (James 2:21-22). Do we have that sort of faith? To believe the right thing but fail to do it is not enough (James 4:17). The world will not find us genuine unless we take action and show our faith. Neither will God find us faithful unless we do so. Let us be faithful to the end (Rev. 2:10). Stay tuned…

To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC

Faith, part II

The salvation process begins with God. He offers us forgiveness and security through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus tasted of death—experienced death on behalf of every sinful human (Heb. 2:9). His taste of death on the cross was real and true, not a mere taste on the tip of the tongue. It was bitter for him, but he purchased our pardon. When Jesus introduced the Lord’s Supper to the apostles he said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28). Forgiveness is offered to all, but we must respond to the gospel call (2 Thess. 2:13-14). When Peter concluded the first gospel sermon on Pentecost, convicted believers asked what they must do to be saved. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Jesus’ death made salvation possible; individuals obey the gospel to receive salvation (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

In each case of conversion recorded in the book of Acts, salvation requires obedience. Salvation begins with faith, and true faith includes obedience (Matt. 7:21). The Ethiopian treasurer was baptized in water at the side of the road (Acts 8:35-39), and the Philippian jailer and his family were baptized after midnight (Acts 16:29-33). Urgency is indicated. Saving faith will not quibble about the necessity of baptism. Once saved, we must continue to grow in faith. Stay tuned…

To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC

Faith, part I

Let’s begin to take a close look at the Christian virtues, or components of Christian character
listed in 2 Peter chapter 1. Faith is the foundation, the beginning point. Then we must diligently
work to add the seven elements that help us to be productive in God’s service. We understand
that these virtues or Christian graces are similar to the fruit of the Spirit, found in Gal. 5:22-23.
Paul stresses the divine aid available to us. Peter stresses human responsibility.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…And without
faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he
exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 11:1, 6). We believe in God
even though we do not see him face to face. His creation powerfully declares his existence:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands…There is no
speech or language where their voice is not heard” (Psa. 19:1, 3). How could the world come
into existence? Only by the hand of almighty God (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 11:3). The world was made by
God and it is held together by God (John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17). Creation demands that we believe in
God (Rom. 1:19-20). One who fails to believe in God is without excuse (Psa. 14:1).

The same is true of Jesus, the Son of God (John 8:24). We have been given ample evidence that
his claim to be the only begotten Son of God is true (John 1:14; John 20:30-31). This faith leads
us to obey the Gospel and be saved (Rom. 16:25-26). Stay tuned…

To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC