Christian Character

The letter to the Romans is Paul’s most profound statement of Christian doctrine. He reaches lofty heights in speaking of God’s plan and his action to save the lost. Then, in chapter 12 Paul turns to practical application of everything he has said in the earlier chapters. Christianity is action, not just ideals. Such is the usual pattern in Paul’s letters.

Brotherly kindness is philadelphia, brotherly love. Christians are all together in the family of God, saved by grace and the blood of Jesus. People often say that blood is thicker than water. The blood of Jesus is a powerful tie. How fitting that Paul begins in Romans 12:9 to speak of the agape love we must practice, and in verse 10, of devotion to one another in brotherly love. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Rom. 12:9-10). Second only to agape, brotherly love grows from the things we have in common. We should see so much of Jesus in one another that it is impossible to not have brotherly love. Affection between Christians is pure and unselfish. We care about one another and serve one another. Filled with zeal, our competition is against Satan, not one another. Love is not just emotion but genuine care for the brotherhood of Christ. Christian service reaches out to all mankind but begins with the family of God (Gal. 6:9-10). I continue to be amazed at the brotherly love exhibited by the Cameron Road church of Christ—a precious local household of God’s family. The care, the prayers, the service!

Stick together, brothers and sisters. God is with us he will never forsake us (Heb. 13:5). Let us do the same with one another. 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

In his first letter, Peter teaches us that brotherly kindness is a natural and necessary consequence of being born into the family of God. “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Pet. 1:22). The command to love, found at the end of the sentence, uses the word agape. Brotherly kindness is practically equated with agape.

Jesus taught Nicodemus that a new, spiritual birth from above is essential to entering the kingdom of God (John 3:1-8). The new birth is conversion to Christ. We are taught by the Spirit through the word and we obey from the heart. Faith then leads to repentance, confession of Christ, and baptism (Acts 2:38). It is in baptism that we become a new creation (Rom. 6:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:17). We become part of the family of God, the church. We are transferred from the world into the kingdom of God (Col. 1:13-14).

All who have God as their Father and Jesus as their elder brother are bound by cords of love. We are all washed in the blood of Jesus, saved by grace.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we come to enjoy a deep spiritual fellowship. Family that is closer than physical family. Eternal family. Our love must be from the depths of our heart. Sincere love, not superficial love. Church family, let us continue to practice brotherly kindness. 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

In his admonition regarding growth of Christian character, Peter saves the best for last. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love” (2 Pet. 1:5, 7). We commonly use the term “brotherly love” for the term brotherly kindness.

The language of love. You have heard it all before, but here is a brief rehearsal. (1) Agape love is deep concern for the welfare of another. It is not based on like/dislike. This love is commanded, and our response is always a choice. Love is the chief of virtues. Love leads us to do right by God and man. (2) Philia is friendship love or warmth of affection. It grows out of appreciation for others and is emotional in nature. This term is quite akin to the word “like.” As such it is not typically commanded but encouraged. We may not like everyone, but we must love them (Matt. 5:43-48). (3) Storge is a lesser-known term referring to family ties. Family is not perfect, but it is family. We often say, “You just have to love family!” (4) Eros is not used in the Bible, but we see it reflected in numerous English terms today. This is physical, sexual attraction. Sex is not a dirty word, and God has provided for lawful fulfillment of every natural appetite. God made us male and female, male and female only, and directed that sexual desire is only to be consummated in marriage.

Peter uses the word philadelphia in our text. It compounds friendship love with brotherhood. We must love the brotherhood of believers both with agape and philadelphia love. The blood of Jesus ties us together. We are members of God’s family and should behave accordingly (1 John 5:1). 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

The penitent robber on the cross rebuked the one who was not penitent: “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve” (Luke 23:40-41). Godliness involves fear of God. For the most part, this is a reverent, worshipful fear. A fear born of respect and admiration. Fear of failing the one who is so great and so good. But there is another element of godly fear. We must have a healthy fear of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28).

Peter concludes his second letter with a call to live in view of coming judgment. In the first part of chapter 3, he admonishes those who feel that time will always go on. We should not think God will not end the world and usher in eternity. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” ( 2 Pet. 3:9). This world will burn up and we will go to our eternal destination. What shall it be? Peter warns, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (2 Pet. 3:11-12). An old song says, “What shall it be? What shall it be? Where will you spend your eternity?”

God has done what he can to save us. The rest is up to us. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13). We must live with the realization that God is watching us, aware of our every thought and deed. For the saved, it is comforting to know God is watching and listening (1 Pet. 3:12).  

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

Godliness requires self-discipline but brings great benefit. Exercise is not a fun word in my book, but it is necessary for life. With all kinds of joint problems and a tendency to gain weight, I have to exercise. If you travel through north Pflugerville early on a given morning and see a preacher plodding along on the sidewalk, it might be me! 

Paul gave his understudy Timothy personal advice as well as instruction for all the church. He addressed godliness. “Have nothing to do with godless myths or old wives’ tales; rather train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Physical health is important, but spiritual health infinitely more so. All the physical training in the world will not save your eternal soul. Paul urges Timothy to revere God, not himself. Some people work so hard at physical fitness they have no time to tend to the soul. Physical fitness will fade; godliness helps us now and leads to eternal salvation.

Godliness requires training. Giving God first place in everything. Being awed by his majesty every day. Seeking God’s will in his word. Talking to him constantly in prayer. Thinking about God. Loving him with our mind. “We hold you in the highest place!” The world seeks to crowd God out of our lives, but we cannot allow this to happen. Paul urges, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11).

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

Peter began his second letter by telling us, “His divine power 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). He then includes godliness in his short list of the Christian virtues we are to develop (2 Pet. 1:6-7). Remember that godliness means deep reverence for God, or sacred awe. The more we learn of God, the greater should our sense of godliness be. Our whole life depends on God (Acts 17:28). He grants our existence and sustenance, and we look to him in hope of eternity in heaven. The wise man wrote, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole [duty] of man” (Eccles. 12:13). The word “duty” is supplied by translators. Solomon is stating that living for God must be the whole of mankind’s reason for existence. Such is the message of the book of Ecclesiastes.

 Life without God is empty and meaningless. Life with godliness honors God and gives us true fulfillment. What keeps us going? Surely it is the knowledge that the Creator loves us and seeks to be loved by us (1 John 4:19). He lavishes affection and blessings on us. He even gave his One and Only Son to pay the penalty for our sins (John 3:16). We should be awe-struck at God’s goodness and grace. How can we but love him? How can we but serve him?

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