The Importance of Character

Read the quote at the left and think about it.  The importance of moral character is: “personal acceptance and progress, as well as good relationships and prosperity, are all built on moral character.”  What we do is an expression of who we are.   In one word this is character.  What we do is based upon our moral character.

This study's focus is that character IS a big deal.  Character counts.  Most of the influence we have on other people related to our faith is due to our character.  Whether we have integrity, or show generosity, or are humble and at peace with ourselves, determines how others are influenced, either towards Christ or away from him. 

Now notice the second part of the quote in the image: “Without it, our children would struggle to achieve true peace of mind, make moral decisions, form solid, long-lasting relationships, or achieve meaningful success in their activities or careers.”  Does the situation of the world around us today give evidence of a lack of moral character?

This study's focus will help you to answer "What am I going to do with myself?"  The studies won't merely recite for you all the things you should be, but will also point to the reasons why your character counts. 

In most of the origins of the word character the word symbol is used.  When someone describes another person by their positive traits, e.g., kind or generous, or by the negative traits, e.g. mean or hypocritical, these are characteristics – a description of who they are as a person at the most fundamental level.  That's character and eventually your character becomes a symbol of who YOU are.

We look a 2 Peter and see that Peter gives us a checklist for Spiritual Character that is good for all of us to study.

"Fake it till you make it" is a common expression, or as one mentor once put it "to become, act as if."  But is that really the case?  The world is FULL of people pretending.  Some men are pretending to be women, some women are pretending to be men, some politicians are pretending to be good, honest, ethical.  There are a large number of people wearing a mask of goodness or deluding themselves into believing that "if they act or behave in a certain way, they will become a certain thing, be it good, or moral, or the opposite sex.  But pretending to be a certain kind of person seldom gets one to their desired destination.  If you are so busy pretending when do you ever transition into reality?  If the focus is on pretending then the reality believed is always a pretense.

Character is how we describe who we really are. An ancient letter written to some believers in Christ affirms that what is needed for a character makeover is available to those who believe in God’s provision. While it takes some effort on our part to experience deep change, it brings lasting benefits.  God has empowered us to grow in Christlike character. 

2 Peter 1:1-3

1 Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

One of the earliest followers of Jesus during His earthly ministry was Peter, the author of two books in the New Testament bearing his name. Peter is a good example for a character study.  What do you think of when you are asked to describe Peter?  Just throw your first thoughts out there.

Stubborn, impulsive, quick to judge, these and many others quickly come to mind.  Peter was unpredictable, surely, but at times he would rise to the occasion with spiritual understanding.  But then in the next moment he would fail to grasp even the most basic truth about Jesus. 

For example Peter believed he was above ever being disloyal to Jesus even though others might be. However, after stating boldly that he would never betray Jesus, within hours he denied Jesus and declared that he never knew Him. In a nutshell, Peter, like all of us, was a stereotypical human.  Peter, like all of us, was in need of a genuine renewal of character. 

The greatness and goodness of Jesus drew Peter toward a transformed character. He came to realize that Jesus was so much better than he was. But it also dawned on Peter that this teacher from Nazareth had the power to change his life.  That’s why he wrote to those early believers and assured them God had given them everything they needed to grow in Christlike character. And nothing has changed about that. The same is true for us.

The book of 2 Peter was possibly written to the same group of believers in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), whom he’d addressed in 1 Peter. Whoever the audience, Peter’s purpose was to strengthen these true believers’ faith in the face of false teachings that had arisen from within their church.  Much of these false teachings denied the future return of Christ and the final judgment, opening the door for immoral living and a libertine lifestyle. Peter wrote to remind his audience that grace should produce holy lives, not immoral ones.

Peter emphasized that God’s divine power, that is, divine energy, was the source of the believer’s spiritual growth. This divine power has established the Kingdom of God, brought the rulership of God's principles back to humanity, allowed Jesus to perform divine miracles, and is still at work within believers to enable them to live a life with the divine guiding the way.  The energy of God, literally ALL energy within the universe, is more power than we can even conceptualize.

In the person and character of Jesus, God has provided everything necessary for the Christian’s spiritual growth in Christlikeness. Certainly, this includes the knowledge of him who called us because of his own glory and goodness. Believers are enabled to grow in Christlikeness because it is God who is at work in them.  Divine Spirit indwells us and produces the life of Christ in us. God has also provided His Word as a guide for us.  The histories, songs, law books, wisdom literature and Gospel that are in the library of books known as the Bible illustrates for us God's working, nature, and desires.  

Christ incarnated into humanity once, and God's word gives a hope that Christ will return a second time, and that we have an eternal inheritance and home with Him. This should motivate us to holy living. Furthermore, God safeguards believers through His power ensuring that we will spiritually endure to the physical end. Peter emphasized that God has given us everything necessary to grow in Christlikeness.

Life and goodness in verse three may refer to eternal life; godliness refers to spiritual growth in this present life, meaning that God has given believers everything they need for eternal salvation and present sanctification (growth in Christlikeness). It may also refer to God as the source of our physical existence on earth, and godliness refers to the transformation of one’s life in spiritual growth into Christlikeness. In both cases, the emphasis is on the gifts that God has given. 

Spiritual growth involves human effort and is our duty as believers.  But transformation into Christlikeness is impossible without the work of the Divine within the believer.  God calls believers to salvation and spiritual growth through the knowledge of Christ (God's Annointed one) and by his glory and goodness. More than just knowing about Christ, the term knowledge refers to the intimate relationship believers have with God through both their initial conversion and throughout their ongoing sanctification. 

Christ’s glory refers to the splendor and majesty of Jesus,  his goodness and moral excellence. It is up to us to recognize that Jesus just got it right as God's Anointed-one to bring the rulership of God back to Earth. Even the demons recognize that Jesus is “the Holy One of God”.

Next, we see Peter offer us a catalog Spiritual Character Traits that we should seek to develop in ourselves. 

2 Peter 1:4-8

4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 
7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter's catalogue for Spiritual Character: 

Faith:  Biblical faith is a deep trust and confidence in God and God's promises, based on evidence and revelation, even when not fully visible or understood.  It involves believing in God's existence and character, accepting His word as true, and acting on that belief.  

But biblical faith isn't simply believing that something is true, it also is trusting in it and relying on it.  It's not blind faith merely dictated to be followed.  It's built on the evidence of God's works in the universe and the world, His revealed word in the Bible, in the testimony of others and in our own lives. 

Faith is both a gift from God that enables a person to believe, and a response to God's grace and revelation. It involves a personal relationship with God, characterized by trust, adherence to God’s guidance, and a desire to follow His instructions. 

Biblical faith is not passive, but active, leading to good works and a transformed life. It is about learning about good, learning to do good, and learning to be good and then seeking to do this at every opportunity in our lives. 

Faith is trusting that God will fulfill His promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them. 

Goodness:  Good character has a magnetic quality to it. We are drawn to people who are truly good. In the Bible, goodness signifies a moral quality of being virtuous, righteous, and benevolent, aligning with God's will and reflecting His nature. 

It encompasses actions, intentions, and character that are considered praiseworthy and beneficial to others. Goodness is also seen as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, a characteristic that believers are called to cultivate and exhibit in their lives. 

Goodness is a core attribute of God, reflecting His character of love, kindness, and generosity, and is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit, suggesting it's a quality that grows within believers as they yield to the Holy Spirit's influence. 

Biblical goodness goes beyond presenting a mask of goodness; it involves actively choosing and doing what is right, both in terms of behavior and character. It often involves working for the benefit of others, demonstrating kindness, compassion, and generosity. 

The Hebrew word translated as "goodness" also carries connotations of pleasantness, beauty, and benefit.  The Bible provides examples of God's pleasantness, beauty, and benefit and calls believers to imitate God's character, such as being kind, merciful, and just. 

Goodness is not self-serving, it is about putting the needs and well-being of others first. It is often linked to faithfulness.

Knowledge: In a biblical context, "knowledge" encompasses more than just factual information. It signifies a deep, experiential understanding of God, His character, and His will, often involving a personal relationship and obedience to God’s instruction. 

It's not merely conscious awareness, but also an experiential spiritual application of truth in daily life. This knowledge is often gained through personal experiences, prayer, and studying Scripture. It involves discernment, perception, and the ability to apply truth to life situations. 

Knowledge provides the raw information, understanding helps grasp its meaning, and wisdom guides its application.  For example knowing that a tomato is a fruit is knowledge, but wisdom dictates not putting it in a fruit salad; or knowing the scriptures is knowledge, comprehending their meaning is understanding, and applying their principles to life is wisdom. True knowledge involves understanding what to do with information.

The Bible suggests that knowledge can be a gift from God, a revelation of consistent reality. It also emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing knowledge through study, prayer, and obedience. The Bible also warns that knowledge can be misused if not coupled with love and humility; "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up". True knowledge is meant to lead to growth, service and a closer relationship with God.  Just plain knowledge can lead to pride or arrogance, hindering a relationship with God. 

Self-control: In the Bible, self-control (or temperance) is defined as the ability to restrain one's desires and impulses, mastering one's actions, thoughts, and emotions, especially in the face of temptation. 

It, too, is a fruit of the Spirit, meaning it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and is essential for a godly and righteous life. 

Self-control helps believers to resist temptation and avoid sinful/harmful behaviors. It involves making conscious choices to align one's behavior with God's will. It extends to thoughts, feelings, and internal states. It is a characteristic developed through the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, rather than solely through human effort, and is considered a vital virtue for Christian character and maturity.  

It involves making wise choices in everyday situations, such as resisting overeating, controlling anger, or maintaining sexual purity. Self-control requires active effort and intentionality, rather than being a passive trait, it involves taking positive actions to live a godly life. 

Self-control mirrors God's own discipline and order, and it helps believers to live in accordance with His nature.

Endurance: Biblical self-endurance, often discussed alongside perseverance and patience, refers to the ability to withstand trials, hardships, and temptations while maintaining faith and integrity.  

It's about remaining steadfast in one's commitment to God and His teachings through difficult circumstances, and not merely enduring hardship.  This involves relying on God's strength, growing in spiritual maturity, and ultimately, becoming more like Christ. 

It involves actively persevering through challenges, learning from them, and allowing them to strengthen one's faith. It is intertwined with faith and a commitment to God's principles, remaining true to one's beliefs even when faced with opposition or adversity. Trials are seen as opportunities for growth, and endurance is a key component in developing spiritual maturity and a stronger character.  The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who displayed remarkable endurance, such as Job, Joseph, and the Apostle Paul, all of whom faced significant hardships while remaining faithful to God. Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of endurance, enduring the cross to the point of death trusting that God would resurrect him to life to continue his mission with humanity.

Practices like prayer, scripture reading, meditation and fellowship with other believers can help cultivate endurance in the face of trials, hardships and temptations. 

Godliness: In the Bible, godliness refers to a life that is pleasing to God. God has standards characterized by reverence, piety, and a commitment to living according to His wisdom.  It involves both an inward devotion and an outward expression of that devotion through righteous behavior. 

Essentially, godliness is about being like God in thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions – a mighty tall order for mere humans.  Godliness involves a deep respect and awe for God's character and commands; separation from sin and dedication to God's purposes; living justly and uprightly, and reflecting God's moral standards into the world. 

Demonstrating selfless love towards God and others, fulfilling the law; recognizing dependence on God and submitting to His will, and actively living out God's commands and principles are all a part of godliness.

In its essence, godliness is not just an outward appearance of adhering to a set of rules, it is a transformation of the inner self that results in a life that honors and reflects God's character. 

Stated another way using a human parental phrase, godliness is living in a way that makes God proud of us.

Brotherly affection: Biblical brotherly affection, often referred to as "brotherly love", is a deep, familial love and affection that should exist among believers in the Christian community. 

It is feeling such a love and respect for others that one considers almost all of humanity a "part of the family."  

It is a reflection of the love of God characterized by compassion, care, and mutual support, mirroring the natural bond between siblings. 

This love extends beyond mere feelings to active expressions of service, encouragement, and forgiveness. Brotherly affection is a reflection of God's love for humanity, which is extended to believers as a community. It's not just an emotion but a commitment to serving, encouraging, and supporting other believers through actions. 

It's not enough to simply say "I love you." Brotherly affection requires tangible expressions of love through actions, demonstrating genuine care and concern for others. It involves being willing to forgive one another, bearing one another's burdens, and seeking the best for each other, even when it's challenging. 

In essence, biblical brotherly affection is a call to treat other believers with the same love, care, and loyalty that one would show to a close family member, all rooted in the love of God and expressed through our practical actions. 

Love:  Biblical love is more than just a fleeting emotional feeling or romantic inclination.  It's a deep, abiding commitment rooted in God's character, emphasizing action, sacrifice, and loyalty. 

Biblical Love originates from God.  It is unconditional; this selfless, sacrificial love is given freely without expecting anything in return. It, too, is reflected in God's love for humanity which was demonstrated by sending Jesus Christ. 

It describes a deep affection and bond between friends or fellow believers, characterized by mutual respect, shared devotion, and common values.  It is also the natural love and affection felt between family members, like the love of parents for their children.  

Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of love – laying down his own life on the cross and assuming the penalty of sin for all of humanity. Or stated simply, Jesus paid the price (death) that God foretold would be the result when humanity rebelled against God's authority in Eden.

Characteristics of biblical love include patience and kindness, enduring difficulties with grace and seeking the well-being of others.  Biblical love is humble and celebrates the successes of others without seeking its own glory.  It acts appropriately and considers the needs and interests of others ahead of its own.  It is not easily angered and doesn't keep score, but rather forgives and lets go of resentment.  

Biblical love seeks and delights in what is right and just, and it perseveres through trials and challenges. 

Biblical love is not passive; it calls for action in daily lives. People are to love God with all their heart, soul, and might, and love their neighbor as themselves. This translates into practical acts of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and serving others, even those who may oppose them.  

Biblical love meets needs and does not force itself upon others for self-glorification.

Peter reminded us that God has made promises and that God would fulfill all His promises:  Jeremiah described the new covenant of God in detail; Ezekiel promised a new work of God as well. God has also promised us “a living hope” and an imperishable inheritance which entails eternal life in heaven. Through Christ, God has given believers the promises of God.

The promises of God in Christ are fulfilled through the believers’ sharing in the divine nature. Through moral transformation we share in certain characteristics and attributes of the divine nature. Peter viewed this process of becoming more and more Christlike in terms of escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. 

In other words, human beings can only escape the evil desires of their fallen nature and their consequences when they receive the promises of the gospel through Jesus Christ by placing their faith in his atoning work and sacrifice. This process begins at the moment of conversion (justification), continues throughout this life (sanctification), and will be completed at the end of this age with the return of Jesus (glorification).  

Stated simply, we escape evil desires by receiving the gospel, having faith, working at it, learning from it, and growing ever closer to Christ throughout this life and into the next.

Peter tells us to supplement our faith with these spiritual character traits as an encouragement for believers to cooperate with God’s work of maturing us in our faith by developing and practicing the qualities of goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love within us.  Growing to spiritual maturity until we are glorified with Christ at the end of the age. 

Maturing Christians work, i.e. expend energy, diligently for the Lord. We render ourselves idle when we do not grow spiritually becoming useless believers,  ineffective workers in God’s kingdom. Jesus used the term to describe idle workers who wasted their time in the marketplace “doing nothing.” This should not be confused with being worthless, but rather to the levels of spiritual energy expended in becoming effective workers for God's Kingdom. 

As believers grow spiritually, they produce fruit. Without expending the energy to grow, i.e. merely existing, we don't produce the fruit of the Spirit.  

Let's look at what Peter says about this situation.

2 Peter 1:9-11

9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

In Peter’s era, the churches he ministered to were plagued by false teachers. But it wasn’t just a leadership issue, the congregations had to sort through whose faith was genuine and who were just "putting on airs." 

Some professed belief but weren’t growing in their faith. Their experience of God’s grace wasn’t real to them. It was just a "head knowledge" about God and not an experiential knowledge OF God. 

While Christianity likes to look toward the future at the "final judgement", the reality is that all believers are judged EVERY DAY for how they live or do not live for Christ after we have placed our faith in Him. Did your profession of belief in Jesus as God's Annointed-One change your life, or are you the same old human you have always been?

Those who expend the energy to live for Christ and grow spiritually will be rewarded, while those who fail to do so will be saved but their actions will be shown to be empty.  These are described as those who are spiritually blind and shortsighted.  Peter described it as a failure of memory. Spiritual realities must be brought back into the center of our spiritual life. We might describe this passage as the church experienced a number of "card carrying members" who knew nothing of what it meant to be a member of God's family.

Confirmation of our faith is found in godly character. As we grow in these qualities, we verify our possession of faith as true. The great news in all of this is that we don’t have to pretend to possess the qualities of character. It’s about progress, not perfection. We can be confident that the qualities which Peter called for can be authentically developed within us. We confirm our relationship to God as we grow and live with godly character.

Lack of spiritual growth could indicate there was a cause for concern. God’s grace should not lead to spiritual lethargy, but rather to determined, faithful action.  Spiritual immaturity can cause believers to have doubts and a lack of assurance concerning the validity of their salvation because they do not see the signs of progress in spiritual growth and maturity. The cure for such doubts is diligence in living out one’s faith through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit—not for the purpose of being saved, but rather because God has saved us in Christ.  Adhering to Peter's catalogue of spiritual characteristics is a starting point.

Until the Christian enters the eternal kingdom, God keeps the believer safe in his or her salvation and continues to help us to grow in character building.  While even mature Christians fall short of making God proud of us, at all times, this passage references the disastrous stumble of the person who either takes God’s grace in Christ for granted in the sense of choosing not to grow in Christ or worse, falsely assumes he or she has received salvation in Christ and no longer needs to worry about it. 

While works do not save a believer, what we do is a mark of our character and is the necessary result and evidence of the genuine nature of the believer’s faith. 

Our character IS who we are.