JULY 27: THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER

Focal Passage: II Peter 1:1-11

The Point: God equips with Christlike character

I grew up in a small town filled with ‘characters,’ colorful, wonderful people who were not bland or the same. Like the man in our church who wanted a red pick-up truck, so he went down to the store, bought a gallon of red paint, a paint brush and painted his old farm truck red. He was as proud as a peacock, even though you could see all the brush marks on his newly painted truck. 

We live in a world of ‘sameness.’ While we say we’re individualistic, we dress alike, talk the same language, and like the same things. It’s boring. God doesn’t want us to be the same as the world — He wants us to stand out with Christian character. 

Christian character consists of the behaviors and attitudes that reflect the character of Christ and the power of the gospel. This was what the Apostle Peter was aiming at as he addressed the believers who had been scattered all over the Roman Empire (I Peter 1:1-2). What would set them apart from an Empire that recognized false deities? Answer: Christ-like character.

vv. 1-3 — God has empowered us to grow in Christlike character because He has given to us everything we need for such growth — “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Things like 1.) a faith that rests in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, 2.) grace and peace grounded in truth, 3.) the knowledge of God in Christ and 4) a calling centered in God’s excellent glory. 

vv. 4-8 — God empowered growth in character calls for diligence in making ourselves useful in the kingdom of God. Participating in God’s divine nature by the Holy Spirit, we escape the corruption of the world and are adding to our faith Christlike characteristics: virtue, knowledge, self-control, faithfulness, godliness, brotherly love and affection. Such growth causes us to avoid being ineffective or unfruitful.

vv. 9-11 — Christlike character points to our relationship with Jesus Christ. If we lack Christian character produced by the gospel, we have either never been saved or we have developed ‘spiritual cataracts’ and can no longer see our need for Christlike growth; we have forgotten what God did for us in Jesus Christ.

This is why II Peter 1:10 is one of the most important verses in all of Scripture. While we are not to live in doubt, we do need to occasionally examine our minds and hearts to make sure we are truly saved (I Corinthians 11:28), confirming our calling and election in Jesus Christ. How can I know that I’m saved? We can examine our hearts by asking the following questions: 

(1) Did I understand the gospel in the first place? What am I trusting in for my salvation? We must believe and confess that we are sinners and that Jesus alone, by His death and resurrection, atoned for our sins, grants us forgiveness, and calls us to repentance, faith and obedience (I Corinthians 15:1-11; Romans 10:9-13).

(2) When I confessed Christ did I possess a faith filled spirit with a new set of desires, wants, and hopes? If I confess Christ but still desire ‘the world’ there may be something wrong. 

(3) When I confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior did I develop a love for the things God loves? What does God love? His Word, His bride the Church, holiness, joy, peace, grace, mercy, and righteousness.

(4) Christians sin, but when I sin does my sin bother me, leading to repentance and restoration in my relationship with Jesus or am I sad just because I got caught (II Corinthians 7:10)?

(5) Finally, since my new birth have I been growing in my faith (II Peter 3:18)? B&R