Christian Character
Christ-likeness is produced by the power of God through the Word and the Spirit. Christian character is not achieved by human effort, self-discipline, or willpower — it is formed by God's transforming work in the believer. As we behold the glory of the Lord in the Word, we are changed into His image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Goal — Conformed to the Image of Christ
Romans 8:29 — "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
God's purpose for every believer is conformity to the image of Christ. This is the goal of all Christian growth, all sanctification, all spiritual formation. We are predestined to be like Jesus — in character, in thought, in action.
Ephesians 4:13 — "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
The Method — By the Word and the Spirit
Christian character is formed by the combined work of the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Transformation by Beholding
2 Corinthians 3:18 — "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
As we behold the glory of the Lord in the Word, we are changed into His image — not by striving, but by beholding. The transformation is from glory to glory — progressive, continuous, and by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Mirror of the Word
James 1:23-25 — "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
The Word is a mirror that shows us what we are and what we ought to be. The one who continues in the Word — not just hearing but doing — is transformed.
The Renewing of the Mind
Romans 12:2 — "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Transformation begins with the renewal of the mind. The mind is renewed by the Word of God — by thinking God's thoughts, believing God's truth, and seeing things from God's perspective.
Ephesians 4:23 — "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind."
The Fruit of the Spirit — The Character of Christ
Galatians 5:22-23 — "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Christ produced in the believer by the Holy Spirit. This is not achieved by human effort — it is fruit, not work. Fruit grows naturally when the branch abides in the vine.
John 15:4-5 — "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Without Christ, we can do nothing. But abiding in Him — remaining in fellowship, walking in the Spirit, feeding on the Word — we bear much fruit.
Not by Human Effort — By God's Power
Christian character is not formed by self-discipline, moral effort, or religious activity. It is the work of God's power in the believer.
Philippians 2:13 — "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
God works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. He produces the desire and He produces the doing. Our part is to yield to His working.
Colossians 1:29 — "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."
Paul labored, but he labored according to His working. The power was God's, not his own.
The Pattern — Christ Himself
1 Peter 2:21 — "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps."
Christ is our example. We are to follow His steps — in humility, in obedience, in suffering, in love.
Philippians 2:5 — "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
1 John 2:6 — "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
The Process — Day by Day
2 Corinthians 4:16 — "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."
The inward man is renewed day by day. Transformation is a daily process — not a one-time event. Each day we feed on the Word, each day we walk in the Spirit, each day we are renewed.
Colossians 3:10 — "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."
The Means — The Word of God
Psalm 119:9, 11 — "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word... Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
The Word is the means of sanctification and character formation. It cleanses the way, prevents sin, and transforms the heart.
John 17:17 — "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
Ephesians 5:26 — "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."
Conclusion
Christian character is the life of Christ formed in the believer by the Spirit through the Word. It is not achieved by self-effort, but by yielding to God's transforming power. As we behold the glory of the Lord in the Word, we are changed into His image from glory to glory.
Galatians 4:19 — "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you."