Christian Character

By

Shelby G. Floyd

July 27, 2006

 

In the New Testament scriptures, the noun Christ­ian occurs three times. (Acts 11: 26; 26: 28; 1 Peter 4: 16.) The name Christian glorifies Christ, having been given by divine authority. (Acts 11: 26.) Though the name Christian is very important, we are concerned with the character of a Christian; therefore, we ask, what is a Christian in his character?

 

Christian Character Has the Mind of Christ

 

First, a Christian has a mind which is like the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2: 16.) A Christian has a humble mind like Christ. Paul said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2: 5.) As the elect of God, we are to put on humbleness of mind. (Colossians 3: 12.) A Christian also thinks thoughts which Christ would think. We are commanded not to be carnally minded but spiritually minded. (Romans 8: 6-7.) Solomon said, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23: 7.) When a person thinks the thoughts which Christ would think, God’s laws will be written upon his mind and upon his heart (Hebrews 8: 10), and he will mediate upon them day and night. (Psalms 1: 1-2.) A Christian has a mind that is receptive to Christ’s thoughts. The Bereans received “the word with all readiness of mind.” (Acts 17: 11.) The Colossians Christians were en­joined to set their mind on heavenly things and not on earthly things. (Colossians 3: 1-2.)

 

Christian Character Speaks the Words of Christ

 

Secondly, a Christian is one who will speak the words which Christ would speak. Such a one has not a voice which is perverted with filthy conversation (Ephesians 5: 4), cursing, gossip and tale bearing (Proverbs 18: 7-8), or harsh criticism and backbiting (Titus 3:2; James 4: 11); but he has a voice which realizes that he is accountable in speech before God. (Matthew 12: 36-37.) He uses his voice to speak forth words of truth and soberness (Acts 26: 25), and to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4: 15.) He will speak to please God and not men. (Acts 5: 29.) He will speak the things that become sound doctrine.  (Titus 2: 1.) The apostle Peter summarizes the way in which a Christian should speak, when he said, ‘If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” (1 Peter 4:11 cf. Psalms 19: 14.)

 

Christian Character Has the Eyes of Christ

 

Thirdly, a Christian is one who has a single eye which sees the things which Christ would see. He has a compassionate eye on those who are in distress or sorrow. He is like the good Samaritan, who when he sees one in trouble, has compassion on him. (Luke 10: 33.) A Christian has a generous eye, intent on trying to find good in the lives of other people.  He also has a single eye, serving God with singleness of heart and purpose. (Matthew 6: 22.) Since we walk by faith, and not by sight, he has an eye of faith. (2 Corinthians 5: 7.) A Christian does not have an evil eye, “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye.” (Proverbs 28: 22.) If one has an evil eye, then his whole body is full of darkness. (Matthew 6: 23.)  An evil eye proceeds or originates out of an evil heart. (Mark 7: 21-22.) A Christian does not have a covetous eye. (Matthew 5: 28-29.)

 

Christian Character Has the Ears of Christ

 

Fourth, a Christian is a person who has an ear which would hear the things which Christ would hear. He listens to the voice of Jesus, who said, “Take heed therefore how ye hear.” (Luke 8: 18.) He should have an ear which is eager to hear the word of God, like the people who pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God. (Luke 5: 1.) James, very aptly sums up the at­titude of the ear of every Christian, “...let every man be swift to hear.” (James 1: 19.) The Christian is a person who is not a forgetful hearer, but he is a doer of the word of God. (James 1: 25.)

 

Christian Character Has the Hands of Christ

 

Fifth, a Christian is one who uses his hands and his life to work the works which Christ worked while he was on the earth. Jesus Christ was an. incessant worker, doing the will of God. Jesus worked because his Father worked. (John 5: 17.)  Life is short; there­fore, a Christian must do the work which God has out­lined for him to do. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9: 4.) Jesus lived only thirty-three years upon the earth, but his years were full of life that was used in service to God. One of the best summaries of the life of Christ was, “...he went about doing good.’ (Acts 10: 38.) Since Christ was such a diligent worker, a Christian who is like Christ, is also a great worker in the king­dom of God. He works out his own salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God which is in him, both to will and to do his good pleasure. (Philippians 2: 12-13.) He knows that he will not be able to call upon Christ and say, Lord, Lord, unless he has done the will of God. (Matthew 7: 20-21.) A Christian real­izes that his labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15: 58), and that every child of God is to be a work­er together under God. (1 Corinthians 3: 8-1l.) As he goes about in his work, he does good unto all men, especially those of the household of faith. (Galatians 6: 10.)

 

Christian Character Has the Indwelling of Christ

 

In the sixth place, a Christian has a life through which Christ lives. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. (Ephesians 3: 17.) When Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, we will have wholesome character, a radiant personality, and be filled with noble endeavor and glorious hope. Paul said to the Colossians that because Christ was in them they were filled with the hope of glory. (Colossians 1: 27.) A Christian is in Christ by faith and baptism. (Galatians 3: 26-27.) Those who have been buried with their Lord in baptism are dead and their life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3: 3.)

 

Annie Johnson Flint has very aptly described the character of a Christian,

 

Christ has no hands but our hands to do his work today;

He has no feet but our feet to lead men on his way;

He has no tongue but our tongues to tell man how he died;

He has no help but our help to bring them to his side. 

 

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