Spiritual Warfare – The Transforming Power of the Gospel: Personality, Character and Discipleship – part 4

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

In what ways can we become more like Jesus?

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!

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?

We saw that 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.

Paul’s statement in Romans 12:1-2 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.

We looked at Peter’s description of some of the character changes required. In his second epistle, ch.1 verses 5-8, between the bookends of his description of salvation as ‘having escaped the corruption that is in the world” and “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!

So where do we get these virtues from?

We saw that the Bible describes this as God’s work in us, but also as our work, whereby we work out what God has already worked in. We cannot sanctify ourselves – that is the work of the Trinity in us. But we make ourselves available for God to work, and stop doing things which hinder His work in us!

We thought of the parallel to new born babies. Do they grow 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 19:33-38 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
Pick up here 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!

Values shape our attitudes (and attitudes shape our actions)

The Bible, especially the New Testament, often challenges us as to our attitudes, the ‘thoughts of our hearts’, our orientation to life, the way we look at things. We’ll be looking in a moment at Phil. 2, but there are many other Scriptures, such as:

Psa. 26:2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.

Psa. 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me

Pro. 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Pro. 17:3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts.

Jer. 17:10 I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds

Matt. 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matt. 12:34-35 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

Col. 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 Pet. 1:13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Pet. 4:1-2 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

So we need to adopt the values of our new kingdom

Key to our apprenticeship, and changing our behaviour to become more like our Master. Jesus’ values restore our true humanity and the likeness of God in which we were created. Our attitude should be the same as Jesus’ Phil. 2:1-11.

1.    Counteracts the effects of the Fall in our attitudes and behaviour

In vv. 1-4, Paul sets out the encouragements to adopt Kingdom values:

• v.1 Paul appeals to us on the basis of the blessings of salvation that we enjoy –

Look at how much encouragement you’ve found in your relationship with Messiah! You are filled to overflowing with His comforting love. You have experienced a deepening friendship with the Holy Spirit and have felt His tender affection and mercy.

• v.2 restoring true unity with each other that was broken at the Fall

joined together in perfect unity—with one heart, one passion, and united in one love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose

• v.3 reversal of pride – the devil’s original sin which infected our first parents “I did it my way!”

Be free from pride-filled opinions. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves.

• v.4 dethroning self

Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.

2.    Determines our choices when assessing whether a particular outcome is desired

• v.6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God, did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained [Amp.] He was certain in His identity (John 13:1) and thus was free to serve – but minded to give it all up, pouring out His life, becoming a man, a slave, a sacrifice! The One who had been served for all eternity but the hosts of heaven, was minded to serve.
• Phil. 3:7-8 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 

3.    We pursue that course of action despite the cost

• vv.7-8 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
• Heb. 12:2 Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame

4.    The rewards are out of this world

• vv. 9-11 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
• Eph. 5:27 that He might present [the church] to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
• Heb. 2:10 Bringing many sons to glory
• Heb. 12:2 and is now set down at the right hand of God