Character Traits of the Spiritual Life

(Conclusion to the Series)

A Total Transformation of Character

Richard Hollerman

At the beginning, we discussed the fact that God works in the believer to transform him inwardly and spiritually.  Paul said, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Since the Holy Spirit is given to him as a gift at the time of his new birth (John 3:3-7; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 8:9), he is able to produce the “fruit” of the Spirit in his character.  “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).  The apostle wrote, “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (14:17).  We become new creatures with a new nature and a new heavenly Guest—the Holy Spirit—at the time we are spiritually regenerated.

We hope that you have taken the time to examine all of the virtues that we have listed and discussed.  If not, this book can be a resource for your continued study any time that you want to explore the Biblical teaching on the fruit or qualities of the Spirit.

Let’s not live like the world around us.  Scripture always contrasts the life and ways of the unbelieving sinner with that of the believing, Spirit-filled saint (cf. Galatians 5:19-21 with vv. 22-25; Ephesians 4:17-19 with vv. 20-32; 5:1-2 with vv. 3-7 and vv. 8ff; Colossians 3:1-4 with vv. 5-9 and vv. 12ff; James 3:14-16 with vv. 17-18).  If we are saved by God through the Lord Jesus Christ and indwelt by the Spirit of God, we need to allow Him to work in us “to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).  If we are open to God’s working in our heart and life, this transformed character should be evident to our family, friends, working associates, as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ.  And as they observe our fruit, and notice how we respond to other people and real life situations, they may be drawn to the Savior whom we represent.  Let that be our goal today and throughout our life!

Divine Motivations
for a Transformed Life

We have examined several dozen of the qualities or virtues God wants to work in our heart and life.  But He doesn’t simply command that we produce fruit on our own.  We have already emphasized that the power to produce the spiritual virtues comes from the Spirit of God.  Beyond this, God calls on us to reproduce in our character His own moral character!  We are to manifest divine traits since God Himself is characterized by these traits.  This is something that we have repeatedly emphasized through this study.  Just here, let’s summarize in list form those divine traits that should also be our traits, through Christ Jesus the Lord.

  • God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and we should be loving (1 John 4:11).
  • God is merciful (Romans 12:1) and we should be merciful (Luke 6:36).
  • God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9) and we should be faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).
  • God is forgiving (Ephesians 4:32) and we should be forgiving (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).
  • God is good (Mark 10:18) and we should be good (Galatians 5:22-23).
  • God is holy (Revelation 4:8) and we should be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
  • God is kind (Luke 6:35) and we should be kind (Galatians 5:22-23).
  • God is patient (2 Peter 3:9) and we should be patient (Galatians 5:22-23).
  • God is peace (Philippians 4:9) and we should have peace (John 14:27).
  • God is righteous (Romans 1:17) and we should be righteous (Matthew 6:33).
  • God is tolerant (Romans 2:4) and we should be tolerant (Ephesians 4:2).
  • God is wise (Romans 11:33) and we should have wisdom (James 1:5).

Many additional verses on each of these virtues will be found in the main discussion on the foregoing pages.