Developing Christian Character

 

Growing to become like Jesus Christ—developing Christian character—is an essential part of God’s plan for us. What is godly character? How do we build it?

“We’re in a war,” my friend told me almost every week at church. He wasn’t talking about a military war, but about the temptations, trials and traps that a Christian striving to live in a godly way must face in this ungodly world.

Peter described one such battle. He said Lot “was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (2 Peter 2:7-8).

Knowing the enemies of Christian character

My friend was talking about the negative pulls of the world around us. We didn’t live in Sodom, but can anyone say our society is not slouching in the same direction?

He was talking about the attitudes and attacks that the Bible traces back to the evil one—Satan the devil.

He was talking about our natural, selfish desires—our “flesh” and its evil works (Galatians 5:19-21). Paul says those who do these things “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (verse 21).

Society, Satan and self. These can be formidable foes.

I’ve lost track of my friend over the years, but I am convinced he has continued to fight the battles and will win the war. Why? Because he trusted in God and was developing Christian character.

What is Christian character?

Christian character is godly character. It is growing to think, act and become like God.

Developing Christian character is an essential step in the process God is using to convert—to transform—us into His eternal children.In his book The Incredible Human Potential, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this definition of godly character: “It is the ability, in a separate entity with free moral agency, to come to the knowledge of the right from the wrong—the true from the false—and to choose the right, and possess the will to enforce self-discipline to do the right and resist the wrong” (p. 138).

The Bible calls on us to know the right, choose the right and do the right. This requires defeating the enemies.

The New King James Version uses the word character only three times in two verses, Romans 5:4 and Philippians 2:22.

More often, the Bible refers to those who overcome, who are conquerors and “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37).

It takes Christian character to become an overcomer.

The importance of Christian character

Paul wrote that God’s plan for us includes growing in character. “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

Developing Christian character is an essential step in the process God is using to convert—to transform—us into His eternal children.

He wants children just like Him. Tested, pure, precious character is the possession we can take with us into eternity.

Examples of godly character in the Bible

The Bible has many examples of character, including Joseph, Paul and Timothy.

Joseph, a single man tempted by his boss’s wife, had the godly character to flee the temptation, in spite of the heavy price he would pay. He would be unjustly imprisoned for refusing to “sin against God” (Genesis 39:9; see more about Joseph’s growth in character in our article “Joseph in the Old Testament”).

Paul sought to imitate Jesus Christ, and so he developed exemplary Christian character (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Even before his conversion, he was a zealous man, but after meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, his zeal was properly focused. He was willing to endure any hardship and persevere through any persecution to do God’s will.

Paul wrote many instructions about how Christians can think, act and become like Christ. He lived what he taught. His example of Christian character was an open book to the congregations he visited—and to us through his letters and the book of Acts.

Paul called his assistant Timothy a man of “proven character” (Philippians 2:22). We’re told the following about Timothy’s character:

• He lived the truths he had been taught and earned a good reputation (Acts 16:2).
• He was “like-minded” with Paul (and Christ). Paul knew Timothy would “sincerely care for” the Philippians, seeking the things of Christ, not his own things (Philippians 2:20-21).
• Paul told Timothy, “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance.” Timothy had supported Paul in his persecutions and afflictions (2 Timothy 3:10-11).

How to develop Christian character

How can we grow in Christian character? Here are five steps:

• Set the right goal: to become like Jesus Christ.

John tells us to “walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). This requires studying Jesus’ example and following it. (See our series “Walk as He Walked.”)

Paul explained the goal—what the Church and the members should achieve: “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

This is a very high goal!

• Learn God’s definition of right and wrong.

Learn what pleases God and what He hates. (Study this in our articles “The 10 Commandments for Today” and “How to Please God.”)

• Commit to doing what is right and pleasing to God.

See our blog post “How to Surrender to God.”

• Do what is right and resist what is wrong.

Humanly, we can produce some great feats of willpower, and we can structure our lives to avoid many temptations. But to truly develop the mind and consistent character of Christ, we need something more.

• Use the power of the Holy Spirit.

God offers His Spirit and supernatural power to transform us from the inside. He calls it becoming a new man (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Study further about this vital step in our article “How Do You Know You Have the Holy Spirit?” and our booklet Change Your Life.

Win the war. Become an overcomer. Develop Christian character.

Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice

 

The apostle Paul instructed members of the church at Rome to “present your bodies a living sacrifice.” How is that possible, and what did Paul mean?

Long considered the most comprehensive treatment of theology in the New Testament, Paul’s epistle to the Romans explains everything from sin to salvation, and from justification to Israel’s place in the plan of God. The first 11 chapters are dedicated to these topics.

Chapter 12, however, begins with a big “therefore.” Paul moves from theology, or “head knowledge,” to practical applications of that theology. In essence, he is telling the congregation at Rome that, because of the doctrine he has just laid out, they must live their lives differently—be converted.

What is so surprising is the wording of Paul’s first instruction: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

Living sacrifices in a world of animal sacrifices

In a world full of religions practicing animal sacrifice, this statement would have appeared odd at best, but fanatical at worst. Since sacrificial animals were slaughtered at the altar, the idea of a living sacrifice would seem to contradict itself.

Before we can begin to understand the concept of a living sacrifice, though, we must come to grips with what makes a sacrifice a sacrifice.

Cost is at the core of a sacrifice. A sacrifice entails giving up something, especially something precious.

In its article “Offering and Sacrifice,” the Zondervan Expository Dictionary of Bible Words defines the living sacrifice of Romans 12:1 as corresponding to “the whole burnt offering of consecration.” For the person who gave a valuable animal to be completely burned up, this was a costly sacrifice. And, of course, from the perspective of the animal, it was the ultimate sacrifice. (Learn more about the sacrifices of the Old Testament in our online article “Types of Sacrifice in the Bible and What They Mean.”)

David understood that, to God, what is most important about a sacrifice is the heart—the motivations and intentions—of the person who makes that sacrifice. In his well-known psalm of repentance, David recognized that “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17).

So, then, what does it mean to “present your bodies a living sacrifice”?

Just before urging the Christians in Rome to present their bodies “a living sacrifice,” Paul reminded them of “the mercies of God.” The order here is important. The fact that mercy comes before these living sacrifices distinguishes them from the sacrifices of the world.

As noted in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary on Romans, “Whereas the heathen are prone to sacrifice in order to obtain mercy, biblical faith teaches that the divine mercy provides the basis for sacrifice as the fitting response” (Vol. 10, p. 127). It is because God gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice to pay the penalty of our sins that His children should desire to become living sacrifices.

Being a living sacrifice is all-encompassing. It’s living by every word of God. It is putting God first.Another word in the passage, the Greek word logikos, warrants a closer look. It is not easy to translate into English, but has been translated as spiritual (English Standard Version), logical (Complete Jewish Bible) and true and proper (New International Version). In the King James and New King James Versions it appears in the expression reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

In essence, logikos carries with it the idea that “the sacrifice we render is intelligent and deliberate” (Expositor’s, p. 127). This intent distinguishes the living sacrifice of Christians from the sacrifices of animals.

The living sacrifice in Romans is a response to God’s mercy, and it involves the intent of the individual. What else does it mean to be a living sacrifice?

Living sacrifices and the great commandment

Being a living sacrifice is all-encompassing. It’s living by every word of God. It is putting God first.

It can be summarized by what Jesus called the first and great commandment, to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37; study this more in our online article “Heart, Soul and Mind: Three Components in Loving God”).

This great commandment—paired with the other summary command, to “love your neighbor as yourself” (verse 39)—guides Christians in a way of life that directs their every action and every thought. It’s a way of life of obeying, serving and sacrificing.

Living sacrifices and the perfect will of God

Consider Paul’s exhortation that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice in light of an important prayer of Jesus. This prayer was only hours before His crucifixion.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, shortly before Jesus was arrested, He was “deeply distressed” (Matthew 26:37). Knowing the manner of death He faced, He asked the Father, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me,” but quickly added, “nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (verse 39).

Jesus made this request three times with such passion that “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44).

Yet each time He concluded by yielding to the will of the Father.

When Paul urged the Roman Christians to “present your bodies a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) and to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (verse 2), he concluded his statement by explaining that after this transformation they could “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

In both cases, sacrifice is connected to the ability and desire to yield to God’s will.

The unity that comes from presenting our bodies a living sacrifice

Romans 12 connects sacrifice, service and unity. After exhorting the Christians in Rome to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), Paul admonished them not to think too highly of themselves (verse 3). Instead, they were to use their different gifts to serve the Church (verses 4-8).

Though Paul did not use the word unity in this passage, the concept is implied. This is especially true in verse 5: “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” To be one body means to serve God and each other and live in unity.

You were called to present your bodies a living sacrifice

Paul was not the only apostle to understand how crucial sacrifice is for the Christian. Throughout the New Testament, we see references to sacrifice. Sometimes the terminology is a little different, but the idea is there.

For example, Peter reminded servants that they had a responsibility toward their masters. That responsibility did not go away when the masters behaved badly. Christian servants were to treat their masters—good or bad—with respect and dignity (1 Peter 2:18-20).

The sacrifice Jesus made was the rationale for Peter’s instruction. In fact, suffering is part and parcel of the Christian calling, according to Peter: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (verse 21).

How can you present yourself a living sacrifice?

The Christian calling, though a gift of God, comes at a cost—it requires sacrifice. In a sense, we give up our lives to yield to God’s will, first, and to yield to one another, second. That is why we die a symbolic death at baptism.

This is critical for all of our relationships, whether with God, in our marriages, in our jobs, among our neighbors or in our churches. Some of the sacrifices are large. Some are small. Altogether, they add up to a life completely dedicated to loving God and loving others.

We must work to identify areas of our lives where we need to put to death our wrong habits and ways in order to develop the righteousness of Christ. Examples could include:

• Doggedly striving to overcome an addiction to harmful habits—alcohol, drugs, gaming, etc.
• Working hard to conquer pride and vanity—striving to be humble.
• Controlling the tongue—being more kind, thoughtful and loving in the way we speak. Not gossiping.
• Working to stop lying and become a truthful person.

Remember, a living sacrifice is a response to the mercy God has already shown us. So, it is altogether appropriate that we extend mercy to those around us. It is also a deliberate choice on our part.

Submission to God, of course, must come first. That is part of the first great commandment. Only within that context do we yield to our spouses, coworkers, neighbors and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Why is this so important?

God has created us and called us to become His children, to live in His family throughout eternity. But He will not just automatically do this for everyone. He is looking for people who are fully committed to His way of life. Those who present their lives to Him as living sacrifices are the ones who will be given this wonderful blessing.

How to Be Righteous

 

What does the Bible mean by the word righteous? How does someone become righteous, and is sacrificing to become righteous worth it?

Bible believers recognize that God is righteous and wants people to be righteous. But what does that mean?

Righteousness is defined as “purity of heart and rectitude of life; the being and doing right; conformity in character and conduct to a right standard” (The Century Dictionary).

Merriam-Webster.com says it is “acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin.”

We all agree our world would be a better place if there were more righteous people.

But not everyone has the same understanding of what constitutes purity of heart or what moral law is. So, let’s look at how the Bible defines a righteous person.

For a sinful human being to become righteous involves more than beginning to keep God’s 10 Commandments. In Galatians 3:6 Paul gives a historical example that shows why God considered Abraham righteous: “Just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’”

Abraham’s story: how he was counted righteous

We see in Genesis 12:1-3 that God requested Abram (whose name was later changed to Abraham) to relocate from his home in Haran (Genesis 11:27-31). He was to move far away from his relatives and everything with which he was familiar to begin a new life in Canaan. God promised that if he would do this, he would be the recipient of amazing promises and the founder of a new nation.

Though he may have been a fine man overall, nothing Abram could have done up to this point would have qualified him to be worthy of receiving such profound and extraordinary promises. By His grace, God chose Abram above all other men to receive this special covenant offer.

Responding to God’s call would be no minor adjustment for Abram. It seems he was from a well-established, successful family within the Chaldean community. He was being asked to give up the secure life he had and, in faith, trust that God would be true to His word.

It might be like being told to leave a very successful business in New York City, as well as many family members and friends, in order to move to Guyana where, you are told, things will go well for you—even though you have never been to Guyana and are not sure what awaits you.

Abram would not have decided to do this without faith in the God who made the request.

Genesis 12:4 tell us, “So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him.”

In faith, Abraham embarked on a new life that would be directed by the will of God. He would strive to no longer be guided by his own self-determination but instead submit to the plan God had for him.

Once he believed God from his heart and demonstrated his submission to God’s will by his actions, God considered him a righteous individual. This was because of his living faith, demonstrated by his obedience to God’s law (Genesis 26:5).

The righteousness of faith

This is the righteousness of faith spoken of in the New Testament. In Philippians 3:8-9 Paul explained his desire to “gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”

A person cannot become fully righteous simply by determining he or she is going to obey God’s law. We don’t keep it flawlessly, and even if we could, that would not wipe out our past sins. Only God can forgive our sins and provide us help to obey the law. That’s why our faith must be in God.

Peter declared in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

To repent means to turn around and go in a different direction. True repentance is yielding oneself to God’s will. As the apostle Paul put it, our life is no longer our own. We now live according to the faith that comes through God’s Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20).

Once a person responds to the call of God (1 Corinthians 1:26), repents of going contrary to God’s will, accepts Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to pay the penalty for past sins and lays down his or her life in baptism and obeys God’s laws, that person is considered righteous in God’s eyes.

Sadly, the elements of repentance and obedience to God’s law are often downplayed or ignored by religious people. Some believe that since Christ brought grace and truth (John 1:17), then the law of God has been abolished or done away.

This is a serious misunderstanding of God’s will and how godly righteousness is produced.

The role of the law of God

When we turn our life around—when we repent—we must repent of something. Clearly, a person God calls must repent of sinning. That is why the law of God is so important.

The apostle Paul stated that “by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). He said he would not know what sin was if the law didn’t define it for him (Romans 7:7). As John wrote, “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4, King James Version).

The spiritual law of God, based on the 10 Commandments, is what helps us know right from wrong, or righteousness from unrighteousness. That is why Paul said the law was holy, just and good (Romans 7:12), as well as being spiritual (verse 14).

The law defines what is and isn’t God’s will for us.

How to walk in righteousness

Thus, once a person has responded to the call of God and has been made righteous, that individual must now strive to walk in righteousness, which is defined by the law of God (Psalm 119:172).

This is why Jesus stated, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). Jesus knew that a declaration of faith by itself—without repentance and a commitment to obedience—would not result in the gift of eternal life.

One test of true conversion is to determine if we are yielding to the rule of God in our lives through His law, or if we still have the natural enmity against the law of God in our mind (Romans 8:7).Abraham understood this principle as well. Even though he was justified by faith, he walked in God’s law. God said, “Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5).

Jesus lived a sinless life as our example. He always obeyed God’s law. We are going to fall short of this perfection, but a converted person who has the faith of Christ will strive to allow Christ to live in him or her (Galatians 2:20) and obey the spiritual law of God (1 John 2:4, 6).

We can’t truly love God if we don’t obey Him (1 John 5:3).

Our Savior’s sacrifice opened the way to righteousness

Christ is the Savior of mankind, and He has made the way to the New Covenant possible through His sacrifice. Now when we sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we can confess our sins and know that God is willing to forgive us (1 John 1:9; Hebrews 8:12). Christ’s sacrifice is the only way we can have this hope (Romans 7:24-25).

A converted person is not without sins or imperfections. But a person with the faith of Christ is not satisfied with or indifferent about being imperfect. He or she is striving to be holy (1 Peter 1:16), repenting when convicted of sin, but not giving up from discouragement about falling short of Christ’s perfect example. Christ’s sacrifice allows us to be forgiven and continue on the path of righteousness.

The role of God’s law in the righteousness process is critical. The law does not convert or save us, but it guides us in righteous living.

A test of true conversion

It is possible for someone to believe he or she is a Christian, but not to have been fully converted through God’s calling.

One test of true conversion is to determine if we are yielding to the rule of God in our lives through His law, or if we still have the natural enmity against the law of God in our mind (Romans 8:7).

So, there is a condition of being righteous that applies to all of those God has called into His Church (1 Peter 2:9). But there are also levels of personal righteousness that each of us has, depending on how close we are to God. There are varying degrees to which we have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) and have grown in the fullness and stature of our Savior (Ephesians 4:13).

Benefits of righteousness

Living righteously is not always easy, but righteousness is definitely worth striving for. God is righteous, and He wants His children to be righteous. Living righteously is the way that pleases Him and the way that produces a successful and abundant life.

Righteousness allows God to hear and answer our prayers (1 John 3:22; James 4:3).

Being religious may result in being a moral person to one degree or another, which is honorable. But there is no greater gift than being considered righteous in God’s eyes through repentance, belief in the gospel (Mark 1:15) and a commitment to obeying God’s laws. That gift is available to you if you desire to have it.

Study more about the steps of the biblical conversion process in our free booklet Change Your Life.