This Will Characterize a Christian

(remember: I am growing toward Christian maturity - and this is one of the excellent things I am blessed to pursue)

sincerity (as in Rm 12:9; etc.) (see below)

unfeigned, genuine, real, and true

without hypocrisy - without being play acted, phony, or pretend

using no disguise, mask, concealment, or hidden agendas (selfish motives)

sincerity should describe...
my love  (Rm 12:9; 2 Cor 6:6; 1 Pt 1:22)
my faith  (1 Tim 1:5; 2 Tim 1:5)
the wisdom from above that I use (it is without hypocrisy)  (Js 3:17)

This Will Characterize a Christian

(remember: I am growing toward Christian maturity - and this is one of the excellent things I am blessed to pursue)

self-control (as in Gal 5:23)

mastery within, self-restraint

but not by or of myself, it is accomplished by the power of the Lord

it is a fruit (outcome, result) of the Holy Spirit's influence on me

which I am responsible to exercise

it is AS I exercise self-control that God ENABLES me to do it

self-control is a temperance in my thoughts, words, actions

(in particular drinking, eating, and all bodily desires, lusts)

This Will Characterize a Christian

(remember: I am growing toward Christian maturity - and this is one of the excellent things I am blessed to pursue)


faithfulness (as in Mt 25:21; Col 1:2)

true, sure, trustworthy, reliable

believable, worthy of credit

observant of and steadfast to one's own word, promise, or something entrusted

faithful in the performance of duty

This Will Characterize a Christian

(remember: I am growing toward Christian maturity - and this is one of the excellent things I am blessed to pursue)


alertness (as in Eph 6:18; 1 Cor 16:13)

keeping awake, alert in the mind, refraining from sleep (spiritually)

being watchful, vigilant (in order to defend myself against a spiritual foe)

mindful of threatening dangers

properly prepared for any surprise or sudden change in my circumstance

not drowsy or slackening in the energy of my faith and conduct

alert to keep my fellowship with God in prayer undistracted and effective

This Will Characterize a Christian

(remember: I am growing toward Christian maturity - and this is one of the excellent things I am blessed to pursue)


sympathy (as in 1 Pt 3:8)

having a fellow feeling with, having like feelings

experiencing pain jointly of the same kind
(specifically persecution)

suffering with another - being mutually commiserative

being affected similarly

(and this leading to, involving) having compassion on them


note: sympathy has a biblical origin (suffering with someone similarly)

note: empathy has its origins in worldly psychology (thought to be the ability to project oneself into another person's miseries and experience their suffering)

This Will Characterize a Christian

(remember: I am growing toward Christian maturity - and this is one of the excellent things I am blessed to pursue)


patience (as in Eph 4:2)

with respect to persons (rather than circumstances or things)

self-restraint of my mind...

- especially before it gives room to actions or passions

- even when I am provoked

- even when I'm wronged (as in 2 Tim 2:24), enduring of ill and injury

able to avenge myself, but refraining from doing so

This Will Characterize a Christian

(new series - This Will Characterize a Christian)

(remember: I am growing toward Christian maturity - and this is one of the excellent things I am blessed to pursue)


burden bearing (as in Gal 6:2)

helping to carry, lift, and even remove another person's crushing burdens

helping with anything that presses in on them and demands resources that I can supply (whether physical or spiritual resources)

helping to bear another person's burdens helps fulfill the law of Christ

I will humble myself and let others help bear my burdens - it's to be mutual, and I am grateful for this