Biblical qualities to develop in life

Christian qualities we ought to live by? 

Christians should be God-fearing and humble. They should display the fruit of the Spirit given in Galatians 6: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. While no Christians possess these qualities perfectly, we must and will continually grow in them as a result of the Spirit’s work in us.

Your personal quality of life depends on the quality of your thoughts. The kind of thinking you have takes your life in that direction. You always have a choice as to how you want to live your life.

What I take from the passage above is that this is the world’s always focusing on the individual, what I want to do, as if I have freedom of choice. Well whatever your views, what if seriously what if we decided to live God’s way and choose the right path!

Let’s look at:

Philippians 4 v 8. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. I just simply love the ‘whatever’s it causes me to really reflect on my life.

Romans 12 v 2. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 8 vs 5-6. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Knowing who you are.

Foundation scripture for Be Who You Can Be in Christ.

This is just as challenging today, as it was when God led my naive to these scriptures to my wife. Briefly it was six years later when I gave my life, it’s all explained in Julie’s book.

2 Peter 1:3 ~ 7 (AMP) ~ Character qualities to develop in life.

³ For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).    ⁴By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.   ⁵For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence),   ⁶And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),   ⁷And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.

2 Peter 1:8 (AMP) ~ the result of developing and living life changing characteristics.

⁸ For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Seven key character qualities to develop in life from 2 Peter 1: 3-7

“So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce…..

• A life of moral excellence

      (Living by Gods principles = favour) leads to

• Knowing God better

      (Our loving Father in Heaven) leads to

• Self-control

    (Self-management) leads to

• Patient endurance

      (Peace) leads to

• Godliness leads to
  (Love for other Christians) leads to

• Genuine love for all ~ AGAPE Love (What would the world see and do then?)

We don’t change people – God changes people. The Bible changes lives. God gives us the scriptures as tools we need to change our lives and to help others – and we don’t have to do it by our own effort.

When was the last time you memorized a scripture about an area or trait you wanted to change and decided to obey it every day? Trying to change without the power of the Bible will only be frustrating and discouraging, but with God’s help any area of our lives can be different.

Part 1: Learn about your trait. We need to proactively learn the truth about character. Romans 12:2 (NIV) “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” And when your mind is renewed, you will be motivated – or as Paul puts it – have the WILL (desire) to do God’s good purposes! Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) “… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” We’ll have to search for and hunt for this truth!

Part 2: Meditate (memorize Scripture) about your trait. At time I find this difficult to do, however I always rely on God and the Holy Spirit to remind me and lead me.

The Word of God must be acted on consistently and not be used as a formula. Consistency is key to developing godly habits. We have to decide to act on it daily and not occasionally. Remember champions are not born they are made daily. Your routine defines you.

Use God’s words as the basis for forming your thoughts, then God’s Word become your words. If you continue in God’s Word, then you will develop godly actions, if you continue acting in a godly way you will end up with godly habits. When you become consistent with godly habits, you will have godly character. Your godly character then becomes your life’s testimony. Start developing godly character today by catching up with God’s way of thinking. Kick start the mind of Christ in you by renewing your mind with God’s Word on a daily basis.

Matthew 6:33 – But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Walk with Jesus today. Start by making simple everyday decisions to choose the things of God over the things of this world. Flee from evil, pray for the people who do you wrong, and rejoice in the Lord always knowing our purpose is found in Him.

Personal declaration for the day

I will consciously build a godly character through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Point for you to reflect on 

How often do you make your decision based on God’s Word?

What is your greatest hindrance to acting based on God’s Word and how do you deal with it?