Christian Charactrer

The Christian’s Character

38. The Christian’s Character

38. The Christian’s Character

2 Peter 1:3–7 NKJV

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

2 Peter 1:4–7 NKJV

4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Introduction:

His Divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness

Exceedingly great and precious promises

Through these we may be partakers of the divine nature

We are supposed to take on HIS nature - character

Have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust

We Christians really are supposed to be different

And we really can be different

And For this reason - “Giving all Diligence”

We need to add to our faith

Christianity is a lifelong process

It is an instantaneous salvation, and a lifelong sanctification

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

“Add to your faith virtue.”

Webster: Definition of virtue. 1a : conformity to a standard of right : morality. b : a particular moral excellence

Having high morals— Note: cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh

A. Having high morals—. Note: cleanse yourselves.

B. Having heavenly morals—. Abstain (stay away) from all appearances of evil.

Having heavenly morals—. Abstain (stay away) from all appearances of evil.

Christian Character is Holy -

Christianity is Virtuous

CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING

II. CHRISTIAN CONCEPTION

“… and to virtue knowledge.”

A. Daily study—. Always be ready to give an answer as to what you believe. This requires daily study of the Bible.

Daily study—. Always be ready to give an answer as to what you believe. This requires daily study of the Bible.

B. Dedicated study—. How can you know right from wrong if you don’t study?

Dedicated study—. How can you know right from wrong if you don’t study?

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Divine study—. Hide His Word in your heart.

C. Divine study—. Hide His Word in your heart.

Psalm 119:11 NKJV

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

CHRISTIAN CONTROL

“… and to knowledge temperance.”

Control your words—. Think before you speak.

A. Control your words—. Think before you speak.

Psalm 19:14 NKJV

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

B. Control your walk—. The word walk in the Bible means how we live after becoming a Christian.

Control your walk—.

1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV

27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

The word walk in the Bible means how we live after becoming a Christian.

C. Control your ways—. Live in the Spirit, and then your ways will please God.

Control your ways—. Live in the Spirit, and then your ways will please God.

CHRISTIAN PERSEVERANCE

“… and to temperance patience.”

A. Patient in temptation—.

Patient in temptation—.

Don’t give in to lust, anger, greed, or any other pressure. Wait on The Lord

Patient in trials—. God has a reason for all things.

B. Patient in trials—. God has a reason for all things.

Don’t give in to Fear, Doubt, Worry, lack, uncertainty or anything else that would keep you from finishing your course with joy

CHRISTIAN GODLINESS

“… and to patience godliness.”

A. The purpose of clean living—. Will see God.

The purpose of clean living—. Will see God.

Pure= undiluted

Is your heart “pure”? Pure what?

“God ly ness - set your heart on God -

B. The practice of clean living—. Purify self daily.

The practice of clean living—. Purify self daily.

1 John 3:3 NKJV

3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

CHRISTIAN KINDNESS

“… and to godliness brotherly kindness.”

A Christian ought to be kind

It’s pretty easy to do that for an hour on Sunday

But what about when we’re not in church?

If you want to find out what is in a sponge, squeeze it - same goes for Chritians

Reason—. Command from God’s Word.

A. Reason—. Command from God’s Word.

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

B. Results—. God will forgive us when we forgive.

Results—. God will forgive us when we forgive.

It is also easy to be kind to those who deserve it. What about the rest of the world?

Luke 6:39–40 NKJV

39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

Luke 6:35 NKJV

35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Luke 6:35–37 NKJV

35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

CHRISTIAN LOVE

“and … to brotherly kindness charity.”

Above everything else, Christians should be known for love

this is the mark of perfectness

love never fails

Jesus commanded us to Love one another, as He loves us.

I believe many a prayer is hindered do to a lack of love

Our faith works by Love (Gal. 6)

A. Complete love—. Loving God completely.

Complete love—. Loving God completely.

Matthew 22:37 NKJV

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

B. Christlike love—. Love others as love self.

Christlike love—. Love others as love self.

Matthew 22:39 NKJV

39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

mat22

All the laws are summed up and hang on “LOVE”

Romans 13:8–9 NKJV

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

rom13.

LET’S ADD SOME THINGS TO OUR FAITH!