Building Christian Character

GOLDEN TEXT: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him.”—Colossians 2:6,7

OUR Golden Text is a beautiful summary of what it means to build Christian character. Paul explains that we should walk in Christ and be built up in him along the same lines that we originally received him. The only condition upon which anyone in this age can receive Christ is with the understanding that he suffer and die with him by following consistently the course in life which will lead to sacrificial death with the Master. Jesus made this fact plain when he declared, “If any man will come after me [be my disciple], let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24) The apostle explains that in “bringing many sons unto glory” the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through sufferings.—Heb. 2:10

We are to grow up into Christ in “all things,” writes Paul. (Eph. 4:15) This means that we are to follow the example of Christ in self-sacrifice; in our willingness to bear witness to the truth at the cost of suffering; in prayer; in loyalty to the Word of God; in kindness; and in our love for God, for his people, and for all mankind. In Jesus we see a perfect example of godlikeness, and in emulating that example our true godliness in character results.

II PETER 1:5-11—Here the Apostle Peter enumerates many of the essential elements of true Christian character which, as he admonishes, should be added to our faith. In the 4th verse he reminds us that the basis of our faith is the “exceeding great and precious promises” which assure us that if we are faithful we will become “partakers of the divine nature.” Faithfulness to these promises calls for diligence in adding to our faith those elements of Christian character which result from being built up in Christ in “all things.”

We are to add to our faith “virtue,” writes the apostle. The Greek word here used has more the thought of “fortitude.” This suggests the need of stability and a strength of character which will enable us to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (II Tim. 2:3) The Christian way is not an easy one. As we have noted, we receive Christ on the basis of our being willing to suffer and to die with him, and we will need fortitude to continue in this narrow way of death all the way to the end.

And to fortitude “knowledge,” adds the apostle. In the matter of God’s providences over us as individuals we are often called upon to walk with him in the dark, and it is essential that we learn to trust him where we cannot trace him. But he has given us his Word in order that we might become acquainted with his plan, and we are to study that Word in order to show ourselves approved unto him as workmen who will not be ashamed. (II Tim. 2:15) Thus in the matter of his plan and our part in that plan we are enlightened, hence add knowledge to our faith.

“Temperance”—self control, should also be added to our faith. How tragic is the plight of those who fail to rule their own spirits. The prophet describes them as being like a city broken down, and without walls.—Prov. 25:28

“Patience” is also to be added to our faith. Here the thought is that of cheerful endurance under trial. Jesus said that those who endure unto the end shall be saved. (Matt: 24:13) Without the quality of endurance a Christian becomes “weary in well doing” and sooner or later will faint by the wayside.—Gal. 6:9; II Thess. 3:13

We are also to add “godliness” to our faith. As we have already seen, in Christ we have a perfect example of true godliness. As we follow him we will become more and more like God.

“Brotherly kindness” and “love” are essential elements of true godliness, and how beautifully they were exemplified in Jesus! Love comprehends all the graces of Christian character, and without love all our efforts to please the Lord would be in vain.

Peter explains that one who lacks “these things” is “blind, and cannot see afar off.” Evidently there is a very close relationship between faithfulness and spiritual vision. Perhaps this is the reason some seem to grasp the truth more readily and more clearly than others.

JUDE 17-21, 24, 25—Here Jude admonishes us to remember the words of the apostles concerning mockers who would come in the last days walking after their own lusts. (II Peter 3:3) Jude explains that these are the ones who “separate themselves,” and who “have not the spirit.” How important it is to have the spirit of the truth as it is exemplified in the various elements of Christian character which we should diligently add to our faith.

The spirit of the truth is a self-sacrificing spirit, a spirit which will urge us on to use time and strength and means in the service of the truth. If we have the spirit of the truth we will want others to know about it, and we will be happy to work with the “truth people” to this end. We will not be among those who separate themselves because they want their own ways carried out.

QUESTIONS:

What does it mean to be built up in Christ in harmony with the manner in which we have received him?

What did the apostle mean when he wrote, “He that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off”?

How does Jude identify the “scoffers” whom Peter foretold would come in the last days?

What does it mean to have the spirit of the truth?

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