Following Christ's ExampleSample

GOOD CHARACTER IS CHRIST CHARACTER (PURITY, LOVE, AND FORGIVENESS)

INTRODUCTION

A Spirit-filled Christian is a person that is able to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit in his or her life. As a child of God when you were born-again, the Spirit of God comes to live and dwell in us and we are able to manifest His character as our relationship with the Holy Spirit grows strong and closer to Him day after day. If we belong to God we should reflect God’s character in us. 

Therefore, by their fruits, you will know them (Matthew 7:20) 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

A mango tree will not bear an apple and similarly, an apple tree will not bear a mango. Therefore, your fruit will determine what kind of tree you are. Your character and attitude will reflect either God’s Spirit in you or your sinful nature. Our character originates from our hearts. If our heart is full of hatred, jealousy, insecurity, fleshly ambition, sins that cannot surrender and many more will bear fruit of evil or bad character in us. But a heart that is surrendered to the Holy Spirit and abiding in His truth will bear good fruits which is righteousness and the Galatians fruits, the Holy Spirit fruit which is the character of Christ.

As part of this month’s series focusing on the character of Christ, we will look at another 3 characters of Christ that a Christian should bear and manifest in his or her life. 

1. Purity (I John 3:3)

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3)

 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

What is the meaning of purity? Purity for the Christian is keeping our hearts, mind, and bodies holy without moral blemish or stain for the purposes of God.

Purity is a very important character that a Christian should have. God seeks a pure heart that loves and honors God more than what you could offer to Him. God looks into our heart in everything that we do and He knows if it is out of pure motivation or just to show off.

We cannot hide or deceive God for He searches and knows the hidden motive of everyone’s heart that sometimes we are not aware of. The hidden pride, lust, and greed can be hidden right inside our hearts.

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

Purity also talks about our moral character. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we ought to treat our bodies with care and not commit any immoral lifestyle, which is against God. A child of God should be pure in heart, our words, and lifestyle as everything will flow out in our lifestyle, attitude, and character. Our hearts will reveal our character. This character will be carried out in your physical lifestyle and moral character, if it is pure it will glorify the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ but if it is evil it will shame to the Name of God and He does not deserve it at all.

2. Love (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesian 5:1-2)

And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.  (1 Corinthian 13:13)

Loving God and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves are God’s great commandments to all His children. It is also a sign to distinguish a true disciple of Christ and a nominal disciple. As His disciple we ought to imitate God, to walk in love as Christ because God first loved us and had given Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for us. Love is about giving your best to God and to others and not just receiving. 

We must allow the love of God to be the foundation of all our relationships. Love manifests patience and kindness and it is not greedy or jealous; it is not prideful nor brags of one's accomplishments. It is not rude or self-seeking, and it allows one not to be easily angered. By this, we do not keep a record of others wrongs or enjoy it when bad things happen to others; rather, we rejoice with others to build them up. Love always looks after others, shows trust, hope, and always carries on. Our important goal, as followers of Christ, is to do all things in love (John 13:1; 15:13; 1 Corinthians 13:3-8; 1 John 4:16).

3. Forgiveness (Colossians 3:13)

“… bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Colossians 3:13)

What is the meaning of forgiveness? Forgiveness means giving up my right to hurt you, for hurting me. It is impossible to live on this fallen planet without being hurt, offended, misunderstood, lied to, and rejected. Learning how to respond in forgiveness is one of the fundamental aspects of the Christian life.

The word “forgive” means to wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to cancel a debt. When we wrong someone, we seek his or her forgiveness in order for the relationship to be restored. It is important to remember that forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. Instead, it is an act of love, mercy, and grace.  Forgiveness is an important aspect of our Christian walk and character. Without forgiveness from God, we all cannot be free from condemnation. God releases His forgiveness to us freely when we choose to repent and surrender our lives to Him. We must be willing to bear the cost, just as our LORD did. 

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Forgiveness is crucial for any relationship to continue and critical in resolving any conflict! Remember how much you have been forgiven; release forgiveness to others! (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25; Colossians 3:12-14).

DISCUSSIONS

1. How are you going to reflect the character of Christ in your family, colleague and friends every time you are with them?

2. As a child and disciple of Christ, is there any attitude and character that you have not surrendered to God yet?

CONCLUSION

As a new creation in Christ, our old selves have gone and we have risen as a new person in Christ. We therefore should manifest and reflect His character in us as His chosen people. The bride of Christ would wear an unblemished and spotless white gown of righteousness. And we all must walk in His purity, filled with His love and forgiveness.  Let the light of Christ shine brightly in us and through us so that people may experience God through us