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Authors: Jerry Bridges
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GROWTH IS PROGRESSIVE
The sixth principle of godly character is,
Growth in all areas is progressive and never finished.
Even the apostle Paul recognized this truth in his own life. In the context of his great longing to know Christ and to be like Him, he said, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on...” (Philippians 3:12). In prison, near the end of his apostolic career, he was still pressing on, exerting every effort to continue growing in his knowledge and likeness of Christ.
Growth in all areas is progressive and never finished.
Even the apostle Paul recognized this truth in his own life. In the context of his great longing to know Christ and to be like Him, he said, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on...” (Philippians 3:12). In prison, near the end of his apostolic career, he was still pressing on, exerting every effort to continue growing in his knowledge and likeness of Christ.
Even in those areas in which we have grown, there is always need for further growth. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians that they had been taught by God to love one another and, in fact, they did love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. That is quite a commendation ! But Paul was not satisfied. He went on to say, “Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more” (4:9-10). Growth in Christian character is never finished until we go to be with Christ and are transformed completely into His likeness.
Growth in godly character is not only progressive and always unfinished, it is absolutely necessary for spiritual survival. If we are not growing in godly character, we are regressing; in the spiritual life we never stand still. The word
train
in Paul’s admonition to Timothy, “Train yourself to be godly,” occurs only four times in the New Testament: 1 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 5:14 and 12:11, and 2 Peter 2:14. In three of those instances, the result of such training is positive and God-honoring.
train
in Paul’s admonition to Timothy, “Train yourself to be godly,” occurs only four times in the New Testament: 1 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 5:14 and 12:11, and 2 Peter 2:14. In three of those instances, the result of such training is positive and God-honoring.
But consider the fourth passage, 2 Peter 2:14. The context is Peter’s sharp denunciation of and warning against false teachers. He refers to them as “experts in greed.” The word
expert
is the same word translated in the other three passages as “train.” In fact, the
New American Standard
Bible renders it, “having a heart trained in greed.”
expert
is the same word translated in the other three passages as “train.” In fact, the
New American Standard
Bible renders it, “having a heart trained in greed.”
The implication of Peter’s use of the word
train
is very sobering. It is possible to train ourselves in the wrong direction! That is what these false teachers had done. They had
practiced
greed so well that they had become experts in it—they had trained their hearts in greed!
train
is very sobering. It is possible to train ourselves in the wrong direction! That is what these false teachers had done. They had
practiced
greed so well that they had become experts in it—they had trained their hearts in greed!
So there is a sense in which we are growing in our character every day The question is, In which direction are we growing? Are we growing toward godly character or ungodly character? Are we growing in love or selfishness; in harshness or patience; in greed or generosity; in honesty or dishonesty; in purity or impurity? Every day we are training ourselves in one direction or the other by the thoughts we think, the words we say, the actions we take, the deeds we do.
This sense of progression in character, in either one direction or the other, is also taught in Romans 6:19. Paul refers to the Roman Christians’ former bondage to sin and to
ever-increasing wickedness.
They were well on their way to becoming experts in wickedness. But now, says Paul, having been freed from the slavery of sin, they are to offer their bodies in slavery to righteousness
leading to
holiness. Righteousness refers here to obedience to God, specific “right actions.” Holiness refers to the state or character resulting from those actions; right actions, or obedience, leads to holiness. Of course, both the actions and the character are the result of the working of the Holy Spirit, but He works as we work, and we are able to work because He is at work in us.
ever-increasing wickedness.
They were well on their way to becoming experts in wickedness. But now, says Paul, having been freed from the slavery of sin, they are to offer their bodies in slavery to righteousness
leading to
holiness. Righteousness refers here to obedience to God, specific “right actions.” Holiness refers to the state or character resulting from those actions; right actions, or obedience, leads to holiness. Of course, both the actions and the character are the result of the working of the Holy Spirit, but He works as we work, and we are able to work because He is at work in us.
The relationship between conduct and character is an intimate one. In the form of repeated actions over time, conduct produces character. That is the teaching of 2 Peter 2:14 and Romans 6:19. But it is also true that character determines actions. What we do, we become. What we are, we do. This truth can be illustrated by a circle formed by two curved arrows feeding into each other.
Conduct is always feeding character, but character is also always feeding conduct. Paul’s experience while shipwrecked on the Island of Malta furnishes a good example of this relationship. The islanders built the refugees a fire because of the rain and cold. Luke relates in Acts 28 that Paul gathered a pile of brushwood, and, as he put it on the fire, a snake came out of the brushwood and fastened itself on Paul’s hand. Under the adverse circumstances of shipwreck, why would Paul have gone about gathering fuel for a fire built and tended by someone else? Why didn’t he just stand by the fire and warm himself? He didn’t because it was his character to serve (see Acts 20:33-35 and 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9). He had learned well the lesson Jesus taught us when He washed His disciples’ feet. Because it was Paul’s character to serve, he gathered the brushwood instinctively. He probably did not even think about it. He just did what his servant character dictated at the moment.
Since conduct determines character, and character determines conduct, it is vitally important—extremely necessary—that we practice godliness every day. That is why Peter says, “Make every effort to add to your faith ... godliness” (2 Peter 1:5-6). There can be no letup in our pursuit of godly character. Every day that we are not practicing godliness we are being conformed to the world of ungodliness around us. Granted, our practice of godliness is imperfect and falls far short of the biblical standard. Let us, nevertheless, press on to know Christ and to be like Him.
FORM REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS
There is a very important truth you should know and keep in mind as you pursue godliness. Otherwise, as you get into the following chapters on godly character, you may feel overwhelmed. As you study the twelve different traits of godly character, each one with several different potential applications, you could easily end up with a list of twenty or so areas of need in which you should grow in Christian character.
Don’t fall into such a trap. It will cause you to diffuse your spiritual energies over much too broad an area. Your efforts would be general, scattered, and wasteful, and you would probably not make progress in any area of need. Then the devil would use that to discourage you.
The apostle Paul twice describes Christians as people who are
led
by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14 and Galatians 5:18). Both of these passages refer to His leading, not in some decision we must make, but in the conduct and character issues of our lives. If we are led by the Spirit, we will put to death the misdeeds of the body, and we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
led
by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14 and Galatians 5:18). Both of these passages refer to His leading, not in some decision we must make, but in the conduct and character issues of our lives. If we are led by the Spirit, we will put to death the misdeeds of the body, and we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
The Holy Spirit leads us
objectively
through the general teaching of His word. There is where we learn His will for all Christians. But the Holy Spirit also leads us
subjectively
as He impresses certain Scriptures on our minds, applying them to specific situations in our lives. This is His way of showing us what He wants us to give attention to at a particular time; this is the way He leads us to establish a priority of applications. And this is the important truth we must grasp hold of in our quest for godliness.
objectively
through the general teaching of His word. There is where we learn His will for all Christians. But the Holy Spirit also leads us
subjectively
as He impresses certain Scriptures on our minds, applying them to specific situations in our lives. This is His way of showing us what He wants us to give attention to at a particular time; this is the way He leads us to establish a priority of applications. And this is the important truth we must grasp hold of in our quest for godliness.
As you read the following chapters on godly character, take note of the general principles set forth. Seek to memorize at least one passage of Scripture on each character trait to store up the essence of the biblical teaching on that trait. These Scripture passages will then be available in your mind for the Holy Spirit’s use in particular applications.
In addition to the general principles, ask the Holy Spirit to impress upon your mind the two or three traits of godly character He wants you to work on and pray about now. Concentrate on these. Later on, the Spirit will lead you to work on others. Remember, He is in charge of our growth in godly character; He is our teacher and coach. And He will never lead us in a way that will overwhelm or confuse us.
NOTES
1
I believe it is the fruit of godly character and conduct that is primarily in view in this passage (John 15:1-6). When Jesus and Paul speak of the fruit of evangelism, they speak of harvesting or gathering, as opposed to producing, fruit (John 4:36, Romans 1:13). Certainly Jesus’ use of the term
fruit
in Matthew 7:15-23 relates primarily to character and conduct.
I believe it is the fruit of godly character and conduct that is primarily in view in this passage (John 15:1-6). When Jesus and Paul speak of the fruit of evangelism, they speak of harvesting or gathering, as opposed to producing, fruit (John 4:36, Romans 1:13). Certainly Jesus’ use of the term
fruit
in Matthew 7:15-23 relates primarily to character and conduct.
2
Frederic Louis Godet,
Commentary on John’s
Gospel (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1978), page 855.
Frederic Louis Godet,
Commentary on John’s
Gospel (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1978), page 855.
3
Jac J. Muller, “The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon,” The New
International
Commentary on the New
Testament
(Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1978), page 91.
Jac J. Muller, “The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon,” The New
International
Commentary on the New
Testament
(Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1978), page 91.
4
George W Bethune,
The Fruit of the Spirit
(1839; rpt. Swengel, Penn.: Reiner Publications), pages 32-34.
George W Bethune,
The Fruit of the Spirit
(1839; rpt. Swengel, Penn.: Reiner Publications), pages 32-34.
6
Humility
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 18:14
Devotion to God is the first aspect of godliness; Godlike character is the second. There may be some question about whether or not humility is a Godlike quality, since humility is a trait befitting the creature, not the Creator. But there is no question that God commends humility and delights in it in His people.
Two passages from the book of Isaiah show us very clearly the esteem with which God views the humble person. We read in Isaiah 57:15,
For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy:“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
And then we read in Isaiah 66:1-2,
This is what the Lord says:“Heaven is my throne
and the earth is my footstool.Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.“This is the one I esteem:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word.”
Not only does God commend humility in His people; our Lord displayed it in His humanity. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). Jesus Christ exemplified humility in its utmost through His death for us. But He also exemplified humility throughout His life. He was born in the very humblest of circumstances; He was obedient to His earthly parents; He called people to Himself as one who was “gentle and humble in heart”; He said, “I am among you as one who serves”; He washed the disciples’ feet on the very night of His betrayal; and He taught, “He who humbles himself will be exalted.” If we question whether humility is technically a
Godlike
trait (as we view God in His majesty), we certainly cannot question that it is a
Christlike
trait. And we are to be imitators of Him as He lived out His human life on earth.
Godlike
trait (as we view God in His majesty), we certainly cannot question that it is a
Christlike
trait. And we are to be imitators of Him as He lived out His human life on earth.
The promises of God toward the truly humble are almost breathtaking. The infinitely high and lofty One who lives forever promises to dwell with them, to esteem them, to give them grace, to lift them up, and to exalt them (see Isaiah 57:15 and 66:2, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:6, and Luke 18:14). Humility opens the way to all other godly character traits. It is the soil in which the other traits of the fruit of the Spirit grow.
Humility manifests itself in our relationships—to God, to ourselves, to others. We are to be humble toward God and His word, humble in regard to trials and blessings that come our way or abilities and achievements with which we are blessed, and humble toward other people. Humility is the proper attitude with which to approach all these relationships and circumstances. Like love, it defies adequate definition; it can only be described and understood as it is applied to everyday living.
HUMILITY BEFORE GOD
Humility toward God is akin to the fear of God: it begins with a high view of God’s person. As we see God in His majesty, awesomeness, and holiness, we are humbled before Him. In every occasion in the Scriptures in which man was privileged to view God in His glory, he was brought low or humbled in the presence of God. Moses bowed to the ground and worshiped; Isaiah cried, “Woe is me!”; Ezekiel fell face down; John fell at His feet as though dead. Even the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders in heaven of Revelation fell down before the throne of the glorified Lamb.
Humility in every area of life, in every relationship with other people, begins with a right concept of God as the One who is infinite and eternal in His majesty and holiness. We are to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, approaching every relationship and every circumstance in reference to Him. When relationships with people are good and circumstances are favorable, we are to humbly receive these blessings from His gracious hand. When people are mistreating us and circumstances are difficult, we are to humbly accept them as from an infinitely wise and loving heavenly Father.
This humility before God is basic to all our relationships in life. We cannot begin to experience humility in any other relationship until we experience a deep and profound humility in our attitude toward God. When we are conscious of our (sinful) creature relationship to an infinitely majestic and holy God, we will not wish to selfishly compare ourselves with others. And to the extent that our awareness of our lowly place before God is an abiding one, we will avoid the temptations of pride and competition.
BOOK: The Practice of Godliness: Godliness has value for all things
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