How Eight Spiritual Qualities Shape Us Into Loving Followers of Christ
Introduction: Growing in Christ
Have you ever wondered what it really means to “grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ”? For many of us, the Christian journey starts with faith, but it’s meant to be so much more than just believing. It’s about becoming more like Jesus every day, letting His love and character shine through us. This growth isn’t automatic—it’s a choice we make daily, to learn, to change, and to actively show good will toward every person we meet.
Today, let’s explore what it looks like to develop a Christ-like character by focusing on eight spiritual qualities—faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. We’ll discover why “active good will,” also known as agape love, is the heart of it all, and how we can put this love into action in our lives.
The Eight Qualities: Building Blocks of Christ-like Character
1. Faith: It all begins with trusting God. Faith means believing in His promises, even when life is uncertain.
2. Virtue: Virtue is moral goodness—choosing to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.
3. Knowledge: Growing in knowledge means learning more about God’s ways through the Bible and through life’s experiences.
4. Self-control: Self-control helps us manage our actions, words, and thoughts, keeping us from reacting out of anger or selfishness.
5. Perseverance: Perseverance is sticking with our faith, even when things get tough. It’s the grit to keep going when we feel like giving up.
6. Godliness: Godliness is living in a way that honors God, showing respect and reverence for Him in everything we do.
7. Brotherly Kindness: This is about treating others in the faith like family, offering a helping hand, encouragement, and compassion.
8. Love (Agape): The highest quality is love—active good will that goes beyond feelings, reaching out to everyone with genuine care.
These qualities aren’t just a checklist. They’re meant to flow together and build on each other. As we grow in one, it helps us grow in the others. For example, learning self-control helps us be more kind; perseverance gives us strength to keep loving even when it’s hard.
The Meaning of Love: What Is Agape?
When the Bible talks about “love,” it often uses the Greek word agape. This isn’t just a warm feeling or affection. Agape is active good will—the kind of love God shows us. It means choosing to seek the best for others, no matter who they are or how they treat us.
Agape love is different from brotherly kindness. Brotherly kindness is caring for those close to us, especially fellow believers. Agape love goes further. It’s love for everyone—friends, strangers, and even enemies. It’s the kind of love that led Jesus to lay down His life for us.
Why Love Matters: The Highest Virtue
In the Bible, love is described as the greatest of all virtues. Jesus said the most important commandments are to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. Without love, all our good deeds and religious actions lose their true meaning. Love is the glue that holds all the other qualities together and gives them purpose.
The apostle Paul wrote that if we have faith strong enough to move mountains, but lack love, we gain nothing. Love is what shows the world that we truly follow Jesus—it’s our spiritual identity card.
Learning to Love: Teachers of Agape
How do we learn to love like this? We start by looking to God Himself. God is love—He loves us unconditionally, even when we mess up. Jesus showed agape love through His life: healing the hurting, forgiving the guilty, and sacrificing Himself for us all.
The apostles, especially Paul and John, taught us how to put love into practice. They remind us that love is seen in our actions, not just in words. When we read the stories of Jesus and the teachings of the apostles, we get a living example of what agape looks like.
Living Out Love: Bringing Agape Into Daily Life
Agape isn’t just a theory—it’s something we can live out every day. Here are some simple ways to show active good will:
· Forgive quickly, even when it’s hard.
· Look for ways to encourage others.
· Help someone in need, even if they can’t repay you.
· Speak kindly, especially when conversations get tense.
· Pray for those who hurt you.
· Show respect and honor to God in your choices.
· Listen with empathy before judging.
When we choose love, we reflect Jesus to the world. People see something different in us—something real, powerful, and attractive. Love is not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Conclusion: Encouragement to Pursue Growth
Growing in the knowledge of Jesus isn’t just about head knowledge—it’s about letting our hearts and lives be transformed. As we develop these eight qualities and pursue active good will, we find deeper joy, stronger relationships, and a closer walk with God. We become part of God’s big story, spreading His love wherever we go.
Let’s encourage each other to keep growing, to choose love in every situation, and to let Christ’s character shine through us. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards are eternal. May we all grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, with active good will toward all!
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 