Character And The Christian Life.

On Feb 7, 2022

1. Character will not save, but should be an important part of the Christian life. Titus 3:5-7
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness,but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2. Lack of character in a Christian leader is unacceptable, because they especially are to be “above reproach.” 1 Tim 3:1-2
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward.

3. Believers’ thoughts are to dwell on virtuous things. Phil 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
A. This would exclude how to use others or manipulate circumstances for personal gain.
B. It would include speaking the whole truth.

4. Believers are to lawfully use the Law to identify and recognize sin. 1 Tim 1:8-11

8. But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9. realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10. and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11. according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

5. Sinful lifestyles are to be abandoned. Rom 6:12-14
12. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13. and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

6. Believers are also to flee from a sinful lifestyle. 1 Tim 6:10-11
10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

7. Believers are to seek to live a godly life. Titus 2:11-12
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

8. Believers especially, as partakers of the Divine Nature are to live moral lives, growing in love. 2 Peter 1:4-10
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control,
perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

9. Believers are to speak truth to one another. Eph 4:25
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.

10. Believers are to honor one another. Rom 12:10-11
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

11. Some people have infiltrated the church with a distortion of grace. Jude 4
4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

A. Grace is distorted when it becomes a license to sin. Gal 5:13-14
13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

B. Grace is distorted when the cost to our Lord is forgotten. Heb 10:26-30
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

C. While it is true that all sin is sin, it is equally true that different sins carry different temporal consequences. Cf Mosaic Law

12. That which is not truth is to be exposed. Eph 5:1-16
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says,

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16
making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

13. Those believers who live worldly lives and claim it to be godly are to be avoided. 2 Tim 3:1-6
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

14. Lack of character is seen in:

Lying about circumstances.
Telling part of the truth so as to discredit another person.
Telling part of the truth to make oneself look good.
Distorting grace.
Demanding grace from others.
An improper view of sin that involves no personality responsibility or accountability.
Considering oneself more important than others.
Seeking to carry out personal agendas.
Harming others to protect oneself.
An inflated view of self.
Lack of respect for other Believers.
Manipulation of facts for personal gain.
Exaggerations.
Not firmly standing for truth.

15. Virtue.

Virtue is the power of a life that is in harmony with the holy standards of God.
The power of virtue is defiled through lust and immorality.
We are to add virtue to our faith, because faith is necessary to appropriate the virtue of Christ. 2 Pet 1:5
Virtue is a threat to Satan’s kingdom. Therefore, he will unleash his most attractive temptations in an attempt to destroy it.
Virtue is like a lighthouse. The greater the storms and the darker the night, the more its power and brightness are valued.

16. Discernment.

Discernment is the ability to distinguish between good and evil, in order to make wise decisions.
Discernment is spiritual sight that is not dimmed by lack of faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, or love. 2 Pet 1:9
Discernment is the power to interpret what we see and hear.
Discernment is the ability to see the hand of God in every circumstance and to trust His intentions through each one. Rom 8:28
A discerning person examines his own life. A judgmental persons overlooks personal faults.
A discerning person seeks all the facts rather than forming opinions and then looking for supporting evidence.
If the failures of others decrease our concern for the faults we know we have and instead improve our opinions of ourselves, then we are being judgmental.
Observation becomes judgmental when there is no desire to provide a loving solution.
Truth and love must always be combined with discernment. Love without truth is compromise. Truth without love is harshness.

17. Discretion.

Discretion is using wisdom to avoid damaging attitudes, words, and actions and to give insightful counsel.
Discretion is knowing when it is best to say nothing at all.
Discretion distinguishes between right and wrong and chooses right.

18. Forgiveness.

Forgiveness is responding to offenders so that the power of God’s love can heal them.
Forgiveness is clearing the record of an offender and choosing to live with any continuing consequences of the offense. It is dismissal, release or pardon.
Forgiveness should be quick and complete. Trustworthiness involves a history that is built over time, so one may be forgiven but not trustworthy.
One may also be forgiven but not necessarily restored to a position or office immediately. For example, if a Christian leader is no longer “above reproach,” then some time should pass until that leader develops a new history that is “above reproach.”
If someone kills a member of our family, we are to forgive that person. However, we do not have authority to grant a pardon, because we do not have authority to punish the offender. Therefore, even with our forgiveness, that person will suffer the continuing consequences of the offense.
The mercy that accompanies forgiveness is appreciated only
when the offender is willing to accept a just punishment for his
offense.

19. Honor is treating others as you would want to be treated. Matt 7:12

12.”In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

20. Tolerance.

Tolerance is making allowances for those who lack wisdom or maturity and praying that they will see and follow God’s ways.
Tolerance presupposes a standard of conduct by which all other behavior is measured.
Refusal to acknowledge or correct wrong decisions is not tolerance, but simple-mindedness.
Tolerance is being more concerned with communicating Christ’s love and truth than changing outward appearance or attitudes.
Tolerance is motivated by remembering how patient God has been with us in our failures.
Tolerance is not changing God’s standards but living them out in such a way that others will want to follow them.
Never mistake God’s tolerance of a sinner as tolerance of sin.
A believer is to have a greater tolerance for unbelievers than he does for believers. 1 Cor 5
Tolerance is looking beyond the wrong ideas and behavior of people and seeing the needs and struggles in their lives.
There is an important distinction between tolerance of immaturity and our responsibility to reprove evil.

21. Truthfulness.

Truthfulness is communicating by life and word that which is genuine and accurate. Ps 15:1-2; Matt 12:34
Truth is the foundation upon which anything that stands is built.
Every lie is another link in the chain around our souls, but telling the truth sets us free. John 8:31-32
Telling a lie is like pounding a nail in the wall of one’s character. Telling the truth removes the nail but leaves a mark.
Rahab was not blessed for her lie to unbelievers, but for her hospitality. Heb 11:30-31

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

22. Those who twist God’s Word often distort the “Parable of the Unrighteous Steward.” Luke 16:1-13

Luke 16:1 = The Report Of Waste.

Now He was also saying to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager (OIKONOMOS = law of the house, steward), and this manager was reported to him as squandering (DIASKORPIDZW = to scatter, waste; like the younger son did in 15:13) his possessions.

Summary:
1. Jesus was still talking to Pharisees.
2. He is picking up on the topic of “waste” that He established in the
Parable of the Prodigal Son.
3. The steward was misusing that which he had been entrusted.

Luke 16:2 = Accountability.
“And he (the rich man) called him (the steward) and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting (LOGOS = a word, an account) of your management (OIKONOMIA – stewardship), for you can no longer be manager.’

Summary:
1. This man was caught and given his notice of termination.
2. He had his day of reckoning concerning how he had used his
master’s possessions.
3. One day we all will give an account. 2 Cor 5:10

Luke 16:3 = The Manager’s Dilemma.
“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master (KURIOS) is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg.

Summary:
1. This steward finds himself in a bad situation as his lack of strength and arrogance have come to light.
2. He is evaluating his human resources and pride. He is lacking in one and has an abundance of the other.

Luke 16:4 = The Manager’s Thought-Self Preservation.
‘I know what I shall do, so that when I am removed from the management people will welcome me (DECHOMAI = a willing and deliberate decision to accept) into their homes.’

Summary:
1. His thoughts turn to self-preservation rather than honor, humility and restoration.
2. He is however planning for his future.

Luke 16:5 = The Manager’s Solution.
“And he summoned each one of his master’s debtors, and he began saying to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
Luke 16:6 = The Manager’s Thievery.
“And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’
Luke 16:7 = And More.
“Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

Summary:
1. His parting shot at his master was to waste more of his resources.
2. He had used his position to distribute grace rather than to seek grace from his master.
3. He became the distributor of grace without the qualification of innocence.
4. There was no repentance for his unrighteous acts, just a new slant on them.
5. The Pharisee’s viewed themselves as the ones who could forgive or negotiate a debt owed to the One they claimed to serve.
6. How can unrighteousness begat righteousness? It can’t!
7. The steward’s problem all along was his own selfishness.

Luke 16:8 = Praise From the Master.
“And his master praised (EPAINOS = a story upon a story; praise that focuses on content) the unrighteous (ADIKIA) manager because he had acted shrewdly (PHRONIMWS = 1x; used his head, wise in a practical sense rather than an intellectual one); for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light (in relation to their own kind).

Summary:
1. The praise was not for further waste, but for his human wisdom.
2. It seems that this master was just as sick as his steward.
3. The master is NOT to be identified with Jesus Christ as He does not praise unrighteousness.
4. There is no indication that he was reinstated.
5. People become wise in the things of the world, even if it is unrighteous.
6. They can devise ways to protect themselves-no matter who it hurts.
7. The Pharisees were just such people, wise at ingratiating themselves at the Lord’s expense, often acting in an unrighteous
manner.
8. The sons of light often lack wisdom toward one another.
9. Practical Wisdom:

Has a solid foundation. Matt 7:24-27
Understands the enemy. Matt 10:16-17
Thinks ahead. Matt 25:1-3
Is obedient and loyal to the Master. Luke 12:42-44
Is not self-proclaimed:
- 1. Concerning doctrine. Rom 11:25
- 2. Concerning love. Rom 12:16
- 3. Concerning one’s growth. 1 Cor 4:10
F. Does not tolerate spiritual abuse. 2 Cor 11:19-21

Luke 16:9 = The Lord’s Comments.
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it (the unrighteous wealth) fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.
Summary:
1. Jesus gives them the common human conclusion and evaluation of this parable.
2. The Pharisees always had problems seeing their own sins. Luke 7:40-44
And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”
3. The result of this attitude is that they shall have their reward in full. Matt 6:2,5,16

Luke 16:10 = The Principle.
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
Summary:
1. Here is the spiritual evaluation.
2. Both the steward and the master were spiritually bankrupt.
3. The Pharisees and their followers were the master and slave.
4. It is the little things that determine our faithfulness and righteousness.

Luke 16:11 = The First Question.
“Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth (MAMON = Aramaic word for riches), who will entrust the true riches (“riches”not in text, true things) to you?

Summary:
1. Some have their faith in the wrong object, often unrighteous wealth.
2. Common human thought is that the pursuit and use of wealth has its own set of rules.
3. We must consistently evaluate whether or not our standards are from the human or divine viewpoint.
4. Where there is no character concerning any kind of physical wealth, one should not be entrusted with the spiritual wealth. 1 Tim 3:3; 6:10
5. Loving money is a sign of a lack of intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb 13:5-6
6. The Pharisees were guilty of this. Luke 16:14
7. Some people entrust their spiritual lives to “lovers of money.”
8. It is a sign of the “last days.” 2 Tim 3:1-2
9. The True Things:

A. The message of Christ. John 1:9-10
B. Worship. John 4:23
C. Correct applications. John 4:37-38
D. Spiritual nourishment. John 6:32-34
E. Fruit production. John 15:1-2
F. The message of the true God. John 17:3-4
G. The testimony of the truth. John 19:35
H. The message of love. 1 John 2:8
I. Intimacy with Christ. 1 John 5:20-21

Luke 16:12 = The Second Question.
“And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?
Luke 16:13 = The Bottom Line.
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Summary:
1. People often have one set of rules for the physical, another set for the spiritual.
2. They often use one kind of wisdom for the physical, another for the spiritual.
3. Our spiritual life is to spill over into our physical life.
4. The Lord has proclaimed this message since the beginning of His ministry. Matt 6:19-24
5. Spiritual Stewardship:

Is centered on the gospel. 1 Cor 9:16-18
Is focused on Jesus Christ. Eph 1:9-10
Is based in grace. Eph 3:1-3
Proclaims the Word. Col 1:25-29
Is above reproach. Titus 1:7-9
Awaits the return of the Master. Luke 12:41-43
Is trustworthy. 1 Cor 4:1-3
Uses one’s spiritual gift. 1 Peter 4:10-11

6. Pharisees serve two masters.