Christian Character formation

Christian Character formation

For a fruitful christian growth we have to put into practice many spiritual values.For this one of the important factor Peter put forth is to develop christian character on the foundation of faith.According to Peter we have to add 7 moralities to faith

2 Peter 1:4-8.

4.by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises,that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion and become partakers of the divine nature.5.For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtueand virtue with knowledge6.and knowledge with self-control,and self control with steadfastness and steadfastness with godliness,7.and godliness with brotherly affection and brotherly affection with love.8.For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

peter here saying if we want to achieve this character we should escape from worlds lusts,corruption and also we should put our complete diligence. note that peter handling the problems inside the church.so if a man/woman born again he/she is spiritual baby.and needs spiritual growth.Like a new born baby needs milk for physical growing, the word milk is needed for growing spiritually.

1 peter 2:2,3.2.

As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby.3.if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.with the word milk we can grow to spiritual maturity.

Ephesians.4:15.

But speaking the truth in Love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ.Christ said man lives not only by bread alone but also by the word that is coming out of mouth of God.

Matthew4:4.

But he answered and said it is written man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God

God has given all that is needed for our spiritual prosperity and growth and also he had given the gift of salvation.Blessed us with all spiritual blessings.But why some believers are still spiritually dwarf and dry?Because they don't have the desire to grow spiritually.Not interested in reading the Bible, study, meditation and personal prayer.And praying Lord bless us spiritually,without doing anything personally for acquiring the spiritual blessings which is already there.At cana before turning water to wine He told the servants to fill the jar with water.They filled up to the brim and then only turned wine.God can do it without prior filling.But we have some initiative to be blessed,If were filled then only God can do wonders by us.

Let us go to the subject.For the Christian character formation Peter here putt forth some moralities to acquire by each believer towards growth.If we represent this growth as steps going upwards:-

love

Brotherly kindness

Godliness

Steadfastness

Self-control

Knowledge

Virtue

faith

These moralities most excellently shined in

faith                                                                    Abraham

Virtue                                                                 David

Knowledge                                                         Solomon

Self-control                                                        Joseph

Steadfastness                                                     Paul

  

Godliness                                                           Job

Brotherly kindness                                           Jonathan

love                                                                     John

In v.8 Peter saying this character not only in you but it should grow in abundance.Then the two outcomes of these abundant growth is
1.You will be  very fruit full for Christ

2.You will grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ