The New Testament heavily emphasizes who the Christian must be. Notice some of the characteristics the Holy Spirit teaches we must make a part of who we are.
1 Peter 1:15-16 commands us to be holy. Holiness involves being set apart from evil for the glory of God. There is a drastic difference between the lifestyle of the faithful Christian and that of the majority. We must allow God’s Word to direct and transform our thinking, instead of conforming to the world (Jn. 17:15-17).
Scripture also teaches that we must be meek (Matt. 5:5). The attitude of meekness accepts God as our Master, yields to His guidance, and yields to others when it is appropriate. Meekness is not being a “push-over.” Being meek works hand in hand with being steadfast (1 Cor. 15:58). While steadfastness refuses to change in ways that push us away from God, meekness pursues changes that draw us closer to God.
Scripture also teaches that we must be humble. In Colossians 3:12, Christians are commanded to “put on” “humility.” Humility involves not esteeming self or exalting self too highly. It requires a proper view of self in relation to God and others.
Humility is linked to being gentle. Titus was told to remind Christians “to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men” (Titus 3:2).
While truth must not be sugar-coated, this does not excuse a contentious, “hot-headed” attitude. Even restoring the erring must be done in a “spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1).
Treating others with gentleness requires us to be temperate. 2 Peter 1:5-6 commands us to “add” “temperance” (or “self-control”). Self-control involves having an inner mastery over one’s desires and passions. For instance, controlling one’s anger is needful to avoid being quick-tempered and thus speaking rashly toward others in fits of wrath (Eph. 4:26; Jas. 1:19).
Another thing we must be is patient. After commanding self-control in 2 Peter 1:6, the inspired apostle commanded patience. Often when Scripture speaks about patience, it involves constancy in doing right, especially through trials (Rom. 12:12). It is linked to endurance and perseverance. It is the opposite of the seed that fell in rocky places in the parable of the sower (shaky faith that stumbles when trials come) (Matt. 13:20-21).
An additional thing 2 Peter 1:6 teaches we must be is godly. Godliness does not necessarily mean godlikeness, though there are some characteristics of God we must imitate. Godliness, though, foremost involves reverence and godly fear. It leads to a proper respect for God that recognizes and accepts His authority (Heb. 12:28).
Scripture also teaches we must be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). While zeal can cause more harm than good if misdirected, knowledge without zeal is no better than zeal without knowledge. We must not be apathetic in our service to God, but have a fiery passion for obeying His commands.
The one who zealously comes to God on His terms should be joyful (Phil. 4:4). Christ provides a much deeper sense of joy than anything the world offers.
Joy is in many ways rooted in being thankful, as Colossians 3:15 commands. No matter what difficulties we face, the faithful remember that life is much better than we deserve. The blessings God provides to the obedient are unmerited.
Scripture further teaches that we must be courageous (1 Cor. 16:13), kind, forgiving, tenderhearted (Eph. 4:32), sincere (Phil. 1:21), selfless (Phil. 2:4), honest (Col. 3:9), and compassionate
(1 Pet. 3:8), among other things.
Each of us must take personal responsibility to make these things a part of our lives. The Holy Spirit through Paul commands us to “put on” those character traits listed in Colossians 3:12-15. The inspired apostle Peter commands Christians to “add” those qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 to our lives. These commands are not optional or impossible to obey. They do, though, require diligence (2 Pet. 1:5) and deliberate pursuit.
May we develop the character God commands, allowing Him to transform us into people who imitate His perfect Son.
– Michael Hickox