The Keys To
Character Development

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Hallmarks of a Christian

`The searcher of hearts is judging, by the fruits they bear, who are truly followers of Christ.' (2T688)

What Are The Fruits?

`The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.' (Galatians 5:22)

How Do We Become Fruitful

`I am the True Vine, and my Father is the gardener.

He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful.

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.' (John 15:1-8)

How Do We Abide in the Vine?

`It is through the word that Christ abides in His followers. This is the same vital union that is represented by eating His flesh and drinking His blood. The words of Christ are Spirit and life. Receiving them you receive the life of the vine.' (DA677)

¤  Bible Study

¤  Prayer

¤  Meditation

¤  Praise

¤  Caring For Jesus in the person of the needy

`I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

`Every ray of light that we shed upon others is reflected upon ourselves. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to the needy, if prompted by a right motive, will result in blessings to the giver.' (PP218)

What Happens When We Abide in the Vine?

`If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, . . .

¤  our feelings,

¤  our thoughts,

¤  our purposes,

¤  our actions,

WILL BE in harmony with the will of God as expressed in His holy law.' (SC61)

`The root sends its nourishment through the branch to the outermost twig [could that be you?]. So Christ communicates the current of spiritual strength to every believer. So long as the soul is united to Christ, there is no danger that it will wither or decay. The life of the vine will be manifest in fragrant fruit on the branches.' (DA676)

`The Life of Christ in you produces the same fruit as in Him. Living in Christ, adhering to Christ, supported by Christ, drawing nourishment from Christ, you bear fruit after the similitude of Christ.' (DA677)

Just a Little Time Each Day?

`This is no casual touch, no off-and-on connection. The branch becomes a part of the living vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the root to the branches is unobstructed and constant. Separated from the vine, the branch cannot live . . . abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service.' (DA676)

Glorious Encouragement!

`The Saviour DOES NOT bid the disciples labor to bear fruit. He tells them to abide in Him. It is through the Word that Christ abides in His followers.' (DA677)

`Christ DOES NOT bid His followers strive to shine. He says, let your light shine. If you have received the grace of God the light is in you. Remove the obstructions, and the Lord's glory [character] will be revealed. The light will shine forth to penetrate and dispel the darkness. You cannot help shining within the range of your influence.' (COL420)

Eyes on Jesus, Wait Patiently

`Self-denial, self-sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude, and Christian trust are the daily fruits borne by those who are truly connected with God.' (SL11)

`Trials patiently borne, blessings gratefully received, temptations manfully resisted, meekness, kindness, mercy, and love habitually revealed, are the lights [fruits] that shine forth in the character.' (MB44)

`The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness.' (SL14)

`What is light? It is piety, goodness, truth, mercy, love, it is the revealing of the truth in the character and life.' (WM36)

Putting Our Effort in the Right Place

`Let none imagine that without earnest effort on their part they can obtain the assurance of God's love. When the mind has been permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to change the habits of thought. That which the eye sees and the ear hears [please note], too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest. But if we would enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus and His glory, we must become accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of faith here [note the remedy]. The words and the character of Christ should be often the subject of our thoughts and of our conversation, and each day some time should be devoted to prayerful meditation upon these sacred themes.' (SL91/92)

The Grand and Glorious Principle

`By beholding Jesus we receive a living, expanding principle in the heart, and the Holy Spirit carries on the work, and the believer advances from grace to grace, from strength to strength, from character to character. He conforms to the image of Christ, until in spiritual growth he attains unto the measure of the full stature of Christ Jesus. Thus Christ makes an end of the curse of sin, and sets the believing soul free from its action and effort.' (1SM395)

`Every association we form, however limited, exerts some influence upon us. The extent to which we yield to that influence will be determined by the degree of intimacy, the constancy of intercourse, and our love and veneration for the one with whom we associate. Thus by acquaintance and association with Christ we may become like Him, the one faultless Example.' (5T222)

`Following Christ produces the virtues of Christ's character . . . Keep close to Jesus. By beholding Him we become changed into His likeness.' (CH590)

`Our bodies are built up from what we eat and drink; and as in the natural economy, so in the spiritual economy: it is what we meditate upon that will give tone and strength to our spiritual nature.' (SC88)

`The more we study the life of Christ with a heart to learn, the more Christlike we become.' (SD342)

`Therefore, holy brethren, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.'
(Hebrews 3:1)

When Will Jesus Come?

`When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the earth would be sown with the seed of the gospel.' (COL69)

`On this earth, the earth whose soil has been moistened by the tears and blood of the Son of God, are to be brought forth the precious fruits of paradise. In the lives of God's people the truths of His word are to reveal their glory and excellence. Through His people Christ is to manifest His character and the principles of His kingdom.' (COL296)

For Our Meditation

¤  Is it our job to trim other branches clean?

¤  How does the Gardener cleanse us?

¤  If we shout at the branch, will it bear fruit?

¤  If we beat the branch, will it bear fruit?

¤  If we kindly explain to the branch that it has need of fruit, will it bear fruit?

¤  Can a branch bear fruit when it is separated from the vine?

¤  Of what use is a branch if it bears no fruit?

¤  The branches of the vine aren't even good for making fire, they are only thrown into the fire. What is the significance of this?

¤  How do we bear fruit?

¤  What must we do to become kind and loving Christians?

¤  What is the sap that comes up from the roots, enters the branch, and produces fruit?

¤  `Fear God and give Him glory.' How do we give God glory?

¤  What happens when the branch is broken from the Vine?

¤  Does anyone other than the Gardener approach the vine when there is no fruit on it?

¤  Who can resist a vine full of fruit?

¤  Is there significance in the fact that only new wood produces fruit?

¤  Why did Jesus curse the fig tree that bore no fruit?