Spiritual Warfare – The Transforming Power of the Gospel: Personality, Character and Discipleship – part 3

It is my hope that these studies will be helpful to take some of the mystery surrounding Discipleship and how it changes specific aspects of our character to make us more like Jesus. God has a comprehensive plan for making us more like Jesus and I hope that He will expand our thinking around this topic.

We are coming at this from a 21^st century western standpoint, so looking at dynamics that weren’t issues for the 1^st century Christians. While the Bible doesn’t talk directly about character and personality, those aspects are clearly described – just not in our terminology. The Bible deals with what needs to be restored in our personality and disciplines that are necessary to reshape our character. (As I commented last week, it has taken modern psychology 1900 years to catch up with the Bible!)

However, our environment is (obviously) quite different to the 1^st century. As I’ve thought about this in the context of the New Testament, it seems that they just got on with the job of spreading the Gospel and discipleship just happened – it was a lifestyle.

John 6:66 Some of Jesus’ disciples no longer walked with Him, which means that they had done so and others were still doing so – living their lives together with Him – Rabbi and apprentices. We see this with Paul and Timothy – as a son with his father until Paul could say of Timothy, I have no one like-minded who will naturally care for your state. Modelling and modelled – note the progression in how Paul describes Timothy:

1 Thess. 3:1 our brother, servant of God and fellow labourer (see also 2 Cor. 1:1/Col. 1:1)

1 Cor. 4:17 who is my beloved son

Rom. 16:21 my workfellow

Phil. 1:1 Paul and Timothy servants of Jesus Christ

Phil. 2:19 I have no one like-minded who will naturally care for your state

1 Tim. 1:2 my own son

2 Tim. 1:2 my dearly beloved son

Taken by Paul as a young man in Acts 16 on his second missionary journey, he spent months working alongside Paul in real apprenticeship mode! By the time Paul was driven out of Thessalonica, he could leave Silas and Timothy there to continue the work. Joining Paul at Athens, he then continued on to Corinth and worked alongside Paul for a couple of years, going on to Ephesus. Paul was then able to send Timothy back to Corinth to put things in order, and, later on, to Philippi to encourage them. Finally leaving him at Ephesus to oversee the church there (maybe 25,000 believers scattered across a wide area).

Timothy may be exceptional, but I believe that the principle of apprenticeship is foundational to Discipleship. How do we do this in the 21^st century? In our times, we have to go to great lengths to make happen what to them was just natural – sharing life together.

Key points from previous weeks:

• The goal of discipleship “it is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher” Luke 6:40
• There is confusion regarding the goal and process of discipleship – we tend to focus on activities rather than character
• There can therefore be a pre-occupation on the Gifts of the Spirit, and the Power of the Spirit, when the Holy Spirit wants to produce the Fruit of the Spirit in us
• Gifts are given and Power is bestowed, but we have to create the environment in our lives for Fruit to flourish
• The New Testament is filled with encouragements toward, and teaching regarding the transformation of our character
• Discipleship develops fruit
• The Fruit of the Spirit is the expression of Discipleship – you reap what you sow (in your own life and in the lives of others)
• God has ‘sown’ His DNA for character in us in the new birth – becoming like Jesus! Are we reproducing the family likeness? 1 Pet. 1:23; 2:2

How does this affect our character?

We saw how personality is largely fixed by the time we reach adulthood and, because we conflate personality and character, we therefore think that we can’t change. So it’s helpful to understand the difference and what it is about us that can change. Otherwise, we may be resistant to process of Discipleship!

There may well be facets of our personalities that need some work. We can be prone to problems such as jealousy, or fits of rage, etc. But personality issues of this type tend to be the consequences of damage caused by our experiences. Of course we need to deal with such issues, but this process of change acts to restore our personalities, i.e. to make them healthy again, rather than give us a different personality type.

We looked at the issue of wearing masks to hide areas where we know that we are damaged or would like to be different, or because we don’t believe that people would accept us if they knew what we are really like, and saw how true fellowship is impossible when we are wearing masks.

Becoming like Jesus

What does becoming like Jesus mean? What needs to change in us for that? And how does discipleship address those aspects of our character that can change? Does that also lead to wholeness in our personalities?

Remember our key concept:

• it is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher

The Apostle Paul reaffirmed Jesus’ statement, and added a little more detail, when he wrote to the Roman church:

• For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.’ Romans 8: 29.

These two statements tell us unequivocally that the pre-eminent purpose of discipleship, is to make us more like Jesus. By using the word ‘enough’ in his statement, Jesus is both framing the goal of discipleship (i.e. becoming like him) and establishing the ‘all-sufficiency’ of this one goal. He is not saying that becoming like him is ‘one’ of the goals of discipleship, or that becoming like him is ‘a good start’ on the way to other, or higher, objectives. No, he is saying that this is the beginning and the end of the matter – this is the true purpose of discipleship and we need to keep our eyes focussed on this purpose above all else. Having established this fact, an obvious question follows: What does becoming more like Jesus mean, and more specifically, in what ways can we become more like Jesus?

When we understand the goal of discipleship, we must also immediately realise that the desired result cannot be achieved quickly. While some of our beliefs might change immediately upon coming to faith, other of our beliefs might take many years to change, as was the case with the very first disciples. Further, while Christians occasionally report some immediate changes to their character upon acknowledging Jesus as their Saviour, for the majority of us this transformational process will still be a work in progress on the day we die. The Christian pastor and writer Bill Hull (2006) expresses these principles clearly when he says:

” … the point of salvation (justification) isn’t the finishing line instead it’s the starting line for a lifelong journey (sanctification). Discipleship flourishes when we present the gospel as a seamless journey of transformation that begins with new life given by God and moves right along with the joy of following Christ every day. Believing without discipleship isn’t believing, its agreeing to a set of facts about a religious figure …. we have created and taught a faith that doesn’t transform people.’

Hull; B. (2006) The Complete Book of Discipleship: on being and making followers of Christ. NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO, 2006.

In what ways can we become more like Jesus?

There are two possible ways in which we can become more like Jesus. First, the outward dimension, i.e., we can be imitators of him, doing some of the things that we read about him doing in the Scriptures. Second, the inward dimension, i.e., we can think and feel as Jesus does. So, in which of these two ways do we need to become more like Jesus? The answer is, both.

What evidence do we have for this? We know that Jesus wants us to imitate his actions because when he sent out his disciples to work on their own, he commanded them to do certain things, and these things equated pretty much to what he himself was doing in his own ministry.

• ‘As you go, preach this message: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.’ Matthew 10: 7-8.

He commissions them in John 14:12 to continue His work and in John 20:21, passes on the baton of His Father’s commission, so to speak. Jesus’ final words, as recorded in Matt. 28:19-20 repeat the commission to carry on doing what Jesus had done all through His ministry. The Apostle Paul makes the necessity of imitating Jesus even more explicit in writing to the Church at Corinth:

• “Be imitators of me, as l am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11: 1.

But we also know from Scripture that an inner transformation is required:

• ‘Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ Romans 12: 2.

This statement in Romans affirms Jesus’ desire that we should do more than simply mimic his actions. We are not to be like small children copying the actions of a parent, without really understanding the goal of the action. Something far deeper is required here.

Peter understood this. In his second epistle, ch.1 verses 5-8, between his description of salvation as ‘having escaped the corruption that is in the world” and the end of salvation as “an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”, he gives us some keys to fruitfulness – and, as we have seen, fruitfulness is simply the character of Jesus replicated in His disciples (Gal. 5:22-23). I have pictured this as a wheel, but putting it into practice is where the rubber hits the road!

Before we unpack all that, note v. 5 we need to ‘add’ these things to our faith. The concept is to supply a need or contribute (2 Cor. 9:10 seed; Gal. 3:5 the Spirit; Col. 2:19 nourishment to the body; 2 Pet. 1:11 an abundant entrance), suggesting that these things are not there to start with. And we are to do it ‘giving all diligence’ – so it’s not going to be easy! The idea is ‘having brought in”. The literal translation of these two phrases is:

“all diligence having brought in besides, superadd in your faith”

But this raises the question, where do we get these things from? Peter has just said in verse 3 that Jesus has “given us everything we need for life and godliness”. Which raises the question …

Is sanctification monergistic or synergistic?

(Monergistic – all the work is God’s; synergistic – a joint effort between us and God.)

It’s all God’s work (Monergistic)

• 1 Cor. 1:30 in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption
• 1Thess. 4:3 For it is God’s will that you should be holy (NB context is about us abstaining from sexual immorality and thereby setting ourselves apart)
• Heb. 10:10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
• Heb. 10:14 because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.
• Jude 1 sanctified by God the Father
• 1 Pet. 1:2 sanctified by the Spirit
• 1 Thess. 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s a joint effort (Synergistic)

• Rom. 6:11-12 So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.
• Rom. 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God
• 2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Heb. 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. (Matt. 5:8 blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God)

Is the Bible confused over this issue? Heaven forbid! So is it us or is it God?

Answer? It’s both! BUT … firstly we have to define what we mean by sanctification. The Greek word is translated as holiness or sanctification. Although it has a double meaning, the two English words don’t help us to get to the meaning – that needs to be determined from the context! The underlying thought is of purification, being set apart and used for holy purposes. The verb form is always in the passive when used of the saints, suggesting that it is something that is done to us by another (variously, Father, Son and Spirit – see below). When the noun form is used, it is something that we have to pursue.

What we bring to the table is our weakness, our willingness, our availability, our consciousness of our total inability, our reliance on God to work. Note that nothing we do produces sanctification (holiness). We do not sanctify ourselves – we allow God to work His sanctification in our lives. We may set ourselves apart (see synergistic refs above) – which is creates the space for God to work – but the actual sanctification, i.e. becoming like Jesus, is the work of God in our lives. To paraphrase A W Tozer re salvation, sanctification is a ‘gift’ but must result in a ‘shift’.

PS Glorification (Rom. 8:30) is monergistic – you can no more glorify yourself, than you can save yourself or sanctify yourself – it’s all of God!

Back to our verses from 2 Peter 1: we have nothing in ourselves to add – no store of these things tucked away somewhere to draw from, no source of power to contribute! The Psalmist knew this (Psa. 115:1) and Paul had it confirmed by Jesus Himself (2 Cor. 12:9). In His teaching about fruitfulness, Jesus confirmed to His disciples: “Without Me, you can do nothing”. (John 15:5)

Parallel to new born babies. By determination or self-effort? They have no skills to make themselves grow – they just want feeding and growth takes place naturally – 1 Pet. 2:2 is the spiritual parallel – growth is in our spiritual DNA as we have seen – living things grow! But new born babies are determined! Witness any baby who is hungry – single minded or what!? Jesus promised that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled (Matt. 5:6) If we are not similarly desiring spiritual food, are we really alive?

So where do we get these virtues from?

To supply to our faith, to render a service to our faith? From God Himself! Jesus example – John 5:19; Matt. 26:36-39

Characteristic	Modelled by Jesus	Replicated in our lives
Goodness – moral excellence (virtue, manliness, valour)	John 8:46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? Sinless 1 Pet. 2:22; Good John 1:46; Acts 10:38	1 Pet. 1:15; Phil. 4:8
Knowledge	Luke 2:40-47 (growing in); Col. 2:3 (fullness of knowledge in Christ)	John 7:17 if anyone desires to do His will, he will know of the doctrine; John 8:31-32 If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 2 Pet. 3:18
Self-control	Matt. 4:1-11 with the devil; John 2:24-25; 6:15 with the people; Matt. 26:36-46 with the disciples; Matt. 26:47-54 with those who came to arrest Him; John 18:33-38 before Pilate; Luke 23:8-12 before Herod; 1 Pet. 2:23 on the Cross	1 Pet. 2:20-21; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:13; James 1:19-21; Titus 2:11-12
Perseverance (patience)	Luke 9:51 A lifetime of rejection – homeless refugee whose life was sought, misunderstood by His family, rejected by the religious, political and social leaders of His day, betrayed by one of His disciples, denied by another, deserted by them all when it counted. Think of the struggle in Gethsemane – the battle of Calvary was fought on the praying field of Gethsemane (Arthur Matthews) – Heb. 12:1-2 for the joy set before Him!	Heb. 12:1-3; 1 Pet. 4:1; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; James 1:2-5 (see Perseverance July ‘22)
Godliness/piety	Heb. 5:7 because of His piety; Luke 6:12 seeking His Father’s will; John 8:28-29 always do the things that please the Father	Eph. 4:2; 5:1-2
Brotherly kindness	John 20:17 my brethren (Heb. 2:11); John 21:9-14 breakfast; Mark 16:7/John 21:15-17 restoration of Peter	Rom. 12:10; Rom. 14:15; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 1:22
Love	John 15:13; John 17:23	John 17:26; Rom. 12:9-16

But we won’t be motivated to do any of this unless our value systems are transformed by the Gospel!