Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:5, to give all diligence to add to our faith. The first step is to add virtue to our faith. Virtue is character. Character is the sum of the qualities you possess. It takes due diligence to develop godly character. Due diligence simply means that you do all that you can do.
I Corinthians 13:4 starts the list of ingredients needed to establish godly character. Paul gives us all the characteristics of love that should be a part of our every day life.
Patience – love suffers long
Kindness – love in action
Generosity – love gives, does not envy, is not in competition with others
Humility – love hiding, love is not puffed up, does not exalt self
Courtesy – love in society, does not behave rudely
Unselfishness – love seeks not its own; it is more blessed to give than receive
Good Temper – love is not provoked, does not display anger
Guilelessness – love thinks no evil, no deceit from your mouth (1 Peter 3:10)
Sincerity – love rejoices in truth
What makes a good artist, a good sculptor or a good musician? Practice…. Give due diligence to practice, exercise the ingredients of love. If an athlete does not practice his or her sport, then they stunt their development. Strength of character comes from practice. Christ being a carpenter had to practice woodworking. Though he was perfect, he learned obedience and grew in wisdom and in favor with God. (Hebrew 5:8) Life allows us to practice. Wherever you find yourself in life, know that you are in God’s classroom. Do not be angry about where you are, do not complain about your environment and the problems you have to deal with, do not resent temptations that never seem to cease. All of this and more allows you to practice; it is on the job training for you to develop a life of “walking in love”.
“Talent develops in tranquility, character in the full current of human life”, Goethe.
Another way of saying it is talent develops in solitude, alone, while character develops through the constant contact with people. “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” Proverbs 27:17. Character development is for all to see and participate in. Each individual must choose to develop his or her character, with the help of the Spirit of God who lives in you.
One last thought. Eternal life is to know God, and God is love. Paul said that love never fails. Could it be because love is eternal?
Love,
Rosita
