The Characteristics Of A Christian
A Question Of Judgment
Introduction
1. What characterizes a disciple of Jesus? I ask this question because I believe there are some people who are “confused” about this!
2. In this lesson I will share my concerns and remind us of what ought to characterize a person who is a disciple of Jesus.
Aim
The aim of this lesson is to highlight the responsibility we have to consider both our own and others spiritual status and development, with a view to taking the appropriate action.
I. The Characteristics Of A Christian
A. There may be many characteristics that are peculiar to God’s people, but here we shall mention some of the more salient.
1. Love.
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him" (1 John 3:16-17)
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35)
a. The words love and charity in these verses are from the Greek word agape. This type of love is demonstrated in actions:
1) God so loved the world that he gave His son for us (John 3:16).
2) Likewise, we demonstrate our love for one another by our actions: a willingness to lay down our lives for the brethren (Jesus being the supreme example), a willingness to provide the needs of our brethren (1 John 3:16-17).
b. It is this love that we are to have “above all things” (1 Peter 4:8).
1) This does not mean that we seek love and nothing else.
2) The point is this: “love is the animating spirit without which all other duties are dead” (JFB Commentary).
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40)
c. This love is also a means by which others are able to identify disciples of Jesus (John 13:35).
2. Obedience.
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:21)
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:9)
a. Our love for the Lord is demonstrated in our obedience (John 14:21; cp. 15:10).
b. Our obedience to the Lord is essential to our salvation (Hebrews 5:9; 1 Corinthians 7:19).
3. Holiness.
"And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:24)
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Hebrews 12:14)
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1)
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)
a. Paul exhorts all Christian to “to put on the new man” which, he says, is “created in rightousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
b. It is this holiness that every Christian must follow or pursue. For without it we cannot see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14; cp. Matthew 5:8; Romans 6:22).
c. What is this holiness we are to pursue?
1) It means we are to be constantly cleansing ourselves of all filthiness, both in mind and body (2 Corinthians 7:1).
2) James says the same thing using different words: “…to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).
4. Teaching.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:1-4)
"And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." (Philippians 1:14)
"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 1:20-23)
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." (Hebrews 5:12)
a. It is evident from these passages, and many others, that Christians have a responsibility to preach the gospel to the lost.
b. Those who preach peace, the way of reconciliation between God and man, are the “peacemakers,” and it is these who are identified as “the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
5. Prayer.
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" (Luke 18:1)
"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
a. These are just two of many passages that instruct us to continue in prayer (Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:7).
b. There are a legion of other scriptures that instruct us in the things of which we ought to pray: enemies (Matthew 5:44), more laborers (Matthew 9:38), gospel to have free course (2 Thessalonians 3:1), when afflicted (James 5:13), for each others healing (James 5:16).
c. Jesus was a man of prayer (Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12; 9:28; 11:1; John 17:1-26).
d. It is clear that a Christian ought to spend much time in prayer, which is certain sign of one who is in a relationship with God.
6. Study.
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;" (Philippians 1:9)
a. Jesus’ words to the Jews, regarding their search for eternal life in the Scriptures, is applicable to us: we must search the Scriptures to discover the charter for eternal life (John 5:39).
b. A Christian is expected to:
1) Have a desire for the milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2).
2) Move on from a diet of milk to meat (Hebrews 5:12-6:3).
3) Continue growing in knowledge (Philippians 1:9; Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Peter 3:18).
c. It should be obvious, then, that studying the Scriptures ought to be characteristic of every Christian.
II. Making Judgments
A. If we are concerned for our own spiritual welfare then we will heed the admonition of Paul:
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)
1. We all need to examine ourselves and ask, “Do I posses all the things that are characteristic of a Christian?”
2. If we do, fine. If we are found wanting then we must take the appropriate action.
B. If Christians are concerned about one another’s spiritual welfare, then yes, we need to make some judgments. One can determine another’s spiritual state by their behavior (1 Corinthians 3:1; James 5:19-20; 1 John 5:16).
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
C. Bearing these Scriptures in mind, we note a threefold responsibility:
1. We must have a concern for the spiritual welfare of others.
2. We have a responsibility to help our brethren.
3. We need to be careful that we are not tempted.
Conclusion
1. There are six things that should be characteristic of every Christian: love, obedience, holiness, teaching, prayer, and study.
2. We have a responsibility to examine ourselves and take any appropriate action.
3. We also have the responsibility to consider the spiritual welfare of our brethren and help them as best we can.
Application
1. As you examine yourself, it is important that you do not consider these six characteristics as a list from which to choose. All six are essential characteristics that every Christian should possess.
2. There is tendency to consider a person spiritual based on three things:
a. The fact that they have been baptized.
b. The fact that they attend all the services.
c. The fact that they are considered a nice person.
3. Consider those brethren that you know well - a friend in the congregation, your own spouse, a son or daughter (you could consider this as a test for yourself) – and ask yourself if they posses all these characteristics. Is your friend, brother, sister, husband, wife, son, or daughter…
a. Known for their love toward the brethren? If so, how do they demonstrate it?
b. Known for their obedience?
c. Known for their holiness? Not niceness but their separation from the world.
d. Known for their teaching? Do they always seem to be talking to someone about the Lord? Do they tell you about people with whom they have been talking?
e. Known for the time they spend in prayer? This cannot be known of everyone but what about your spouse or your believing children?
f. Known for their studying? By this we mean a person who studies for themselves at home. How often do people discuss with you about what they are studying? How often does your spouse or believing child study?
4. If you or someone else does not posses these six characteristics then you should be very concerned about such a person’s spiritual welfare and do all you can, in love, to help them develop such.
“Love, obedience, holiness, teaching, prayer, and study ought to be the characteristics of every Christian. In fact, I would ask, ‘Is it possible to hold to the claim of being a Christian without such?’” (Quotes & Things, D. Collins).
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