Christian Character Building

Christian Character Building

Introduction
========= "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is Profitable 4 Doctrine, 4 Reproof, 4 Correction, 4 Instruction in Righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect [mature], thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2Tim 3:16,17 KJV. These words of the apostle Paul make it very clear that the B.I.B.L.E, besides being the History of Redemption, is also our Guide 2 the Christian's walk in life.

Through this treasury of His Wisdom God guides us, in wondrous detail, so that we may live as He would have us live. No matter what our situation in life, we have at hand in the Bible God's own Word, Counselling us, Warning us, Comforting us, Strengthening us.
Listed below is a selection of topics w/their appropriate Biblical texts. Far from being comprehensive, this list attempts 2 do no more than demonstrate how we may use our Bible in building within us that Christian character which distinguishes every true believer in Christ.
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Abstinence
======== "Be not among wine-bibbers, look thou not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder." Pro 23:20, 31, 32.

"Let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." I Thess 5:6.

Accountability
========== "By thy 'words' thou shalt be justified, and by thy 'words' thou shalt be condemned." Matt 12:37.

"If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, 'We see;' therefore your sin remaineth. " John 9:41.

"He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My Words, hath one that judgeth him: the Word I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." John 12:48.

"Every man shall receive his own reward according 2 his own labour."
I Cor 3:8.

Adoration
======= "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God w/all thine heart, and w/all thy soul, and w/all thy might." Deu 6:5.

Ambition
====== "Whatsoever thy hand findeth 2 do, do it w/thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest." Eccles 9:10.

"Sow 2 yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy: break up your fallow ground." Hos 10:12.

Beneficence
======== "Withhold not good from them 2 whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand 2 do it." Pro 3:27.

"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread 2 eat: and if he be thirsty, give him water 2 drink: 4 thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee." Pro 25:21,22.

"For whosoever shall give u a cup of water 2 drink in My Name, because ye belong 2 Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." Mark 9:41.

"Though I bestow all my goods 2 feed the poor, and though I give my body 2b burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." I Cor 13:3.

Brotherly Love
============== "Love ye therefore the stranger; 4 ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Deu 10;19

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt 22:39

"This is My Commandment, 'That ye love one another, as I have loved u.' " John 15:12

"Let love be w/o dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." rom 12:9

"The Lord make u 2 increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men." IThess 3:12

Chastity
======== "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Ex 20:14

"Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well." Pro 5:15

"Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness." Rom 13:13


"For this is the Will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication." IThess 4:3

Cheerfulness
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"A good man shall be satisfied from himself." Pro 14:14

Sin Cannot Stop God’s Grace

Romans 5:20 - Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

When a top executive is charged 4 corruption or a church minister is caught in the very act of adultery, u will probably hear the phrase “fallen from grace” being used of them. We have come 2 believe that when someone falls into sin, he falls from grace.

But God wants us 2 know that when someone falls into sin, he does not fall from grace — he actually falls into grace!

Thank God His grace is there 2 put the person back on his feet.

The Bible tells of prostitutes and corrupt tax collectors — sinners — who fell into God’s grace and got back on their feet. If the sin in their lives could stop God’s grace, they would never have been able 2 receive His grace of healing, help and power 2 live right.

Now, it is important u understand that God hates sin bcoz it destroys our lives, relationships and bodies. Sin is evil! But sin is not overcome by us talking about it and relying on our willpower 2 overcome it. It takes God’s grace 2 destroy sin.

In fact, it is when u are under His grace that sin has no dominion over u. (Romans 6:14) It is when u see His grace in providing His Son 2 put away your sins and make u eternally righteous that sin will not dominate u.

The devil will say 2 u, “You think that u can still expect God’s blessings after what u did this morning?” That is when u must remind yourself that Christ alone is your perfection and righteousness. All of us have faults. None of us deserve

God’s blessings. That is why we plead the grace of God, which is His unearned, unmerited and undeserved favor toward us.

Sin does not and cannot stop God’s grace. If His grace can be cut off by sin, Jesus would never have come 2 save us bcoz we were all terrible sinners. But praise God, “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more”!

My friend, God’s grace is bigger, deeper, wider and more powerful than all the world’s sins put together. Receive His grace right now 2 walk in total victory over that weakness or evil habit in your life!