CHARACTER COUNTS: A Checklist for Spiritual Character

KEY POINTS:

• What we do is an expression of who we are.   

• What we do is based upon our moral character.

• Character refers to the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.  

• Eventually your character becomes a symbol of who YOU are.

• The state of holding God as your ultimate moral authority enables us to live a life with the divine guiding our way.  

• Make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 
godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless... 

Originally published at The Importance of Character, this article reviews a portion of 2 Peter and is offers a checklist for moral character.

Moral character is an individual’s collection of stable ethical qualities, virtues, and values that consistently guide their behavior and decisions, reflecting who they are at their core and how they act in moral situations (and in immoral situations for that matter).  It is about having a consistent pattern of ethical responses, often developed through habits and that reflect internal principals rather than a response to external pressures.

The importance of moral character is, as the introductory quote notes is: “personal acceptance and progress, as well as good relationships and prosperity, are all built on moral character.”  

Stated another way, what we do is an expression of who we are.   This is character for what we do is based upon our moral character.

The focus of the studies in the CHARACTER COUNTS header is that character IS a big deal.  Character counts.  Most of the influence we have on other people is due to our character.  Whether we have integrity, or show generosity, or whether we are humble and at peace with ourselves determines how others are influenced by our lives. 

Now notice the second part of the quote in the image: “Without it, our children would struggle to achieve true peace of mind, make moral decisions, form solid, long-lasting relationships, or achieve meaningful success in their activities or careers.”  Does the situation of the world around us today give evidence of a lack of moral character? Does there seem to be an abundance of stable ethical qualities, virtues, and values that consistently guides the behavior and decisions of most of those in the world, or does the “law of the survival of the fittest” seem to “rule” the decisions of most?

This Character Counts study focus will help you to answer "What am I going to do with myself?"  They won't merely recite for you all the things you should be, but they will also point to the reasons why your character counts. 

The word character refers to the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.  In the etymology for the word character the word symbol is frequently used.  When someone describes another person by their positive traits, e.g., kind or generous, or by their negative traits, e.g. mean or hateful, these are characteristics.  They are a description of who they are as a person at the most fundamental level.  That's character. Eventually your character becomes a symbol of who YOU are.

This specific CSI Rewind looks at 2 Peter where we see that Peter gives us a checklist for Spiritual Character that is useful for study.

"Fake it till you make it" is a common expression, or as one mentor once put it "to become, act as if."  But is that really the case?  

The world is FULL of people pretending.  Some men are pretending to be women, some women are pretending to be men, some politicians are pretending to be good, honest, ethical.  

There are a large number of people wearing a mask of goodness or deluding themselves into believing that "if they act or behave in a certain way, they will become a certain thing, be it good, or moral, or the opposite sex.  But pretending to be a certain kind of person seldom gets one to their desired destination.  If you are so busy pretending when do you ever really transition within reality?  If the focus is on pretending then the reality believed is always a pretense.

Character is how we describe who we really are. 

In an ancient letter written to a Christian community in the first century, Peter affirms that what is needed for a character makeover is available to those who believe in God’s provision for us to grow in Christlike character. 

2 Peter 1:1-3

1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

One of the earliest followers of Jesus during His earthly ministry was Peter.  He is the author of two books in the New Testament bearing his name. Peter is a good example for a character study.

Often remembered as stubborn, impulsive, quick to judge, these and many other character traits may quickly come to mind.  Peter was unpredictable, surely, but at times he would rise to the occasion with spiritual understanding; and then in the next moment he would fail to grasp even the most basic truth about Jesus and his mission. 

For example Peter believed he was above ever being disloyal to Jesus even though others might be. However, after stating boldly that he would never betray Jesus within hours he denied Jesus and declared that he never knew Him. In a nutshell, Peter, like all of us, was a stereotypical human.  Peter, like all of us, was in need of a genuine renewal of character. 

The greatness and goodness of Jesus drew Peter toward a transformed character. He came to realize that Jesus was so much adept at being Godly than he was. But it also dawned on Peter that this teacher from Nazareth had the power to change his life.  That’s why he wrote to those early believers and assured them God had given them everything they needed to grow in Christlike character. And nothing has changed about that. The same is true today.

Peter’s purpose was to strengthen the Christian community’s faith in the face of teachings that had arisen that contradicted what Jesus had taught to his disciples.  The historical record reveals that many of these false teachings denied the future return of Christ and a final judgment.  This opened the door for some within their community to embrace immoral living and a libertine lifestyle (one who behaves without moral principles or a sense of responsibility). 

Peter wrote to remind his audience that grace should produce holy lives, not immoral ones.

He emphasized that God’s divine power, that is, divine energy, was the source of spiritual growth. This divine power has established the Kingdom of God, a state where Divine power is the ultimately authority.  Such a state brings the rulership of God's principles back to humanity, and allows for the performance of divine miracles.  The state of holding God as your ultimate authority is still at work to enable us to live a life with the divine guiding the way.  The energy of God (literally ALL energy within the universe) is more power than we can even conceptualize.

The perspective of the Christian believer is that in the person and character of Jesus, God has provided everything necessary for spiritual growth in Christlikeness. Certainly, this includes the knowledge of himself.  We are enabled to grow in Christlikeness because it is God who is at work within them.  Divine Spirit indwells us and can produce the life of Christ in us if we heed the spiritual guidance.

God has also provided His Word as a guide for us.  The histories, songs, law books, wisdom literature and Gospel that are in the library of books that are known as the Bible illustrates for us God's working, nature, and desires.  Peter emphasized that God has given us everything necessary to grow in Christlikeness.

Spiritual growth involves human effort, but transformation into Christlikeness is impossible without the work of the Divine within the believer. God calls us to spiritual growth, and more than just knowing about the Divine, the term knowledge refers to the intimate relationship one can have with God. 

Next, we see Peter offer us a catalog of spiritual character traits that we should seek to develop in ourselves. 

2 Peter 1:4-8

4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 
7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Peter's catalog for Spiritual Character: 

Faith:  a deep trust and confidence in God and God's promises, based on evidence and revelation, even when not fully visible or understood.  It involves believing in God's existence and character and acting on that belief.  But biblical faith isn't simply believing that something is true, it also is trusting in it and relying on it.  

Neither is it a blind faith be followed like a rule book.  It's built on the evidence of God's works in the universe and the world and the testimony of others and the evidence seen in our own lives. 

Faith is both a gift from God that enables a person to believe and a response to God's grace and revelation. It involves a personal relationship with God characterized by trust, adherence to God’s guidance, and a desire to follow Spiritual instructions. 

Biblical faith is not passive, but active.  It leads to good works and a transformed life. It is learning about good, learning to do good, and learning to be good and then seeking to do this at every opportunity in our lives. Faith is trusting that God will fulfill His promises even when circumstances seem to contradict them. 

Goodness:  has a magnetic quality to it. We are drawn to people who are truly good. In the Bible, goodness signifies a moral quality of being virtuous, righteous, and benevolent, aligning with God's will and reflecting God’s nature. 

It encompasses actions, intentions, and character that are considered praiseworthy and beneficial to others. Goodness is also seen as a fruit of the Divine Spirit, a characteristic that we are called to cultivate and exhibit in our lives. 

Goodness is a core attribute of Divinity, reflecting the Divine character of love, kindness, and generosity suggesting it's a quality that grows within as one yields to Divine's influence. 

Biblical goodness goes beyond presenting a mask of goodness; it involves actively choosing and doing what is right, both in terms of behavior and character. It often involves working for the benefit of others, demonstrating kindness, compassion, and generosity. 

The Hebrew word translated as "goodness" also carries connotations of pleasantness, beauty, and benefit.  The Bible provides examples of God's pleasantness, beauty, and benefit and calls us to imitate God's character, such as being kind, merciful, and just. 

Goodness is not primarily self-serving, it is about putting the needs and well-being of others first where possible. It is often linked to faithfulness.

Knowledge: In a biblical context, "knowledge" encompasses more than just factual information. It signifies a deep, experiential understanding of the Divine, Divine character, and will, often involving a personal relationship and obedience to Divine instruction. 

It's not merely conscious awareness, but also an experiential spiritual application of truth in daily life. This knowledge is often gained through personal experiences, prayer, and study. It involves discernment, perception, and the ability to apply truth to life situations. 

Knowledge provides the raw information, understanding helps grasp its meaning, and wisdom guides its application.  For example knowing that a tomato is a fruit is knowledge, but wisdom dictates not putting it in a fruit salad; or knowing the scriptures is knowledge, comprehending their meaning is understanding, and applying their principles to life is wisdom. True knowledge involves understanding what to do with information.

The Bible suggests that knowledge can be a gift from God, a revelation of consistent reality. It also emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing knowledge through study, prayer, and obedience. The Bible also warns that knowledge can be misused if not coupled with love and humility; "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up". True knowledge is meant to lead to growth, service and a closer relationship with God.  Just plain knowledge can lead to pride or arrogance, hindering a relationship with God. 

Self-control: In the Bible, self-control (or temperance) is defined as the ability to restrain one's desires and impulses, mastering one's actions, thoughts, and emotions, especially in the face of temptation. 

It too is a fruit of Spirit, meaning it is empowered by Divine Spirit and is essential for a godly and righteous life. 

Self-control helps to resist temptation and avoid harmful behaviors. It involves making conscious choices to align one's behavior with Divine will. It extends to thoughts, feelings, and internal states. It is a characteristic developed through the work of the Spirit in our lives rather than solely through human effort.  

It involves making wise choices in everyday situations, such as resisting overeating, controlling anger, or maintaining sexual purity. Self-control requires active effort and intentionality.  Rather than being a passive trait it involves taking positive actions to live a godly life. Self-control mirrors Divine discipline and order and helps us to live in accordance with Divine nature.

Endurance: refers to the ability to withstand trials, hardships, and temptations while maintaining faith and integrity. It's about remaining steadfast in one's commitment through difficult circumstances.  It does not refer to merely enduring hardship. It involves actively persevering through challenges, learning from them, and allowing them to strengthen one's faith. It is intertwined with faith and a commitment to God's principles, remaining true to one's beliefs even when faced with opposition or adversity. 

Trials are seen as opportunities for growth, and endurance is a key component in developing spiritual maturity and a stronger character.  The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who displayed remarkable endurance, such as Job, Joseph, and the Apostle Paul, all of whom faced significant hardships while remaining faithful to God. Jesus serves as the ultimate example of endurance, enduring the cross to the point of death trusting that God would resurrect him to life to continue his mission with humanity.

Practices like prayer, scripture reading, meditation and fellowship with other spiritual believers can help cultivate endurance in the face of trials, hardships and temptations. 

Godliness: In the Bible, godliness refers to a life that is pleasing to the creator. God has standards characterized by reverence, piety, and a commitment to living according to Divine wisdom.  It involves both an inward devotion and an outward expression of that devotion through righteous behavior. 

Essentially, godliness is about being like God in thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions – a mighty tall order for mere humans.  Godliness involves a deep respect and awe for God's character and commands; separation from doing harm and a dedication to God's purposes; living justly and uprightly, and reflecting God's moral standards into the world. 

Demonstrating selfless love towards God and others, fulfilling the law; recognizing dependence on God and submitting to His will, and actively living out God's principles are all a part of godliness.

In its essence, godliness is not just an outward appearance of adhering to a set of rules, it is a transformation of the inner self that results in a life that honors and reflects God's character. Stated using a parental phrase, godliness is living in a way that makes God proud of us.

Brotherly affection: Brotherly affection, often referred to as "brotherly love", is a deep, familial love and affection that should exist among Spiritual believers. It is feeling such a love and respect for others that one considers almost all of humanity a "part of the family."  It is a reflection of the love of God characterized by compassion, care, and mutual support, mirroring the natural bond between siblings. 

This love extends beyond mere feelings to active expressions of service, encouragement, and forgiveness. Brotherly affection is a reflection of God's love for humanity. It's not just an emotion but a commitment to serving, encouraging, and supporting others through our actions. 

It's not enough to simply say "I love you." Brotherly affection requires tangible expressions of love through actions, demonstrating genuine care and concern for others. It involves being willing to forgive one another, bearing one another's burdens, and seeking the best for each other, even when it's challenging. 

In essence, biblical brotherly affection is a call to treat other believers with the same love, care, and loyalty that one would show to a close family member, all rooted in the love of God and expressed through our practical actions. 

Love:  Biblical love is more than just a fleeting emotional feeling or romantic inclination.  It's a deep, abiding commitment rooted in God's character, emphasizing action, sacrifice, and loyalty. 

Love as described in the Bible originates from God.  It is unconditional; this selfless, sacrificial love is given freely without expecting anything in return. It, too, is reflected in God's love for humanity which was Biblically demonstrated by Jesus. 

It describes a deep affection and bond between friends or fellow believers, characterized by mutual respect, shared devotion, and common values.  It is also the natural love and affection felt between family members, like the love of parents for their children.  

Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of love – laying down his own life on the cross paying the price (death) that God foretold would be the result when humanity rebelled against God's authority.

Characteristics of biblical love include patience and kindness, enduring difficulties with grace and seeking the well-being of others.  Biblical love is humble and celebrates the successes of others without seeking its own glory.  It acts appropriately and considers the needs and interests of others ahead of its own.  It is not easily angered and doesn't keep score, but rather forgives and lets go of resentment.  

Biblical love seeks and delights in what is right and just, and it perseveres through trials and challenges. 

Biblical love is not passive; it calls for action in daily lives. People are to love God with all their heart, soul, and might, and love their neighbor as themselves. This translates into practical acts of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and serving others, even those who may oppose them.  

Biblical love meets needs and does not force itself upon others for self-glorification.

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Peter reminded us that God has made promises and that God would fulfill all His promises:  Jeremiah described the new covenant of God in detail; Ezekiel promised a new work of God as well. God has also promised us “a living hope” and an imperishable inheritance which entails eternal life. The promises of God are fulfilled through sharing in the divine nature. Through moral transformation we share in certain characteristics and attributes of the divine nature. Peter viewed this process of becoming more and more Christlike in terms of escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. 

In other words, human beings can only escape the evil desires and consequences of their human nature by placing their faith in God.  Peter tells us to supplement our faith with these spiritual character traits as an encouragement for believers to cooperate with God’s work of maturing us in our faith by developing and practicing the qualities of goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love within us.  

Jesus used the term to describe idle workers who wasted their time in the marketplace “doing nothing.” This should not be confused with being worthless, but rather to the levels of spiritual energy expended.  As believers grow spiritually, they produce fruit. Without expending the energy to grow we are merely existing.  We don't produce the fruit of the Spirit.  

Let's look at what Peter says about this situation.

2 Peter 1:9-11

9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

In Peter’s era, the churches he ministered to were plagued by false teachers. But it wasn’t just a leadership issue, the congregations had to sort through whose faith was genuine and who were just "putting on airs." 

Some professed belief but weren’t growing in their faith. Their experience of God’s grace wasn’t real to them. It was just a "head knowledge" about God and not an experiential knowledge OF God. 

While Christianity likes to look toward the future at the "final judgement", the reality is that all believers are judged EVERY DAY for how they live or do not live for Christ after we have placed our faith in Him. Did our lives change or are we the same old human you have always been?

Those who expend the energy to live and grow spiritually will be rewarded, while those who fail to do so will have their actions shown to be empty.  These are described as those who are spiritually blind and shortsighted.  Peter described it as a failure of memory. Spiritual realities must be brought back into the center of our spiritual life. We might describe this passage as the group Peter was talking to experienced a number of "card carrying members" who knew nothing of what it meant to be a member of God's family.

Confirmation of our faith is found in godly character. As we grow in these qualities, we verify our possession of faith as true. The great news in all of this is that we don’t have to pretend to possess the qualities of character. It’s about progress, not perfection. We can be confident that the qualities which Peter called for can be authentically developed within us confirming our relationship to Divinity as we grow and live with godly character.

Adhering to Peter's catalogue of spiritual characteristics is a starting point.  Even those who are mature of Spirit fall short of making God proud of us.  While good works alone do not save a believer, what we do is a mark of our character and is the necessary result and evidence of the genuine nature of the believer’s faith. 

Our character IS who we are.