A Simple Guide to Building a Christ-like Character
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
Growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ isn’t just about learning facts or memorizing scripture—it’s really about letting your life change for the better. As you get to know Jesus, you start to develop qualities that make you more like Him, such as patience, kindness, and love. This takes effort and focus, but the goal is to build a character that reflects faith, striving to do your best, learning, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and, most importantly, love.
When we talk about love in this context, we’re not just talking about loving our friends and family. The Bible uses the Greek word “agape,” which means a love that wants the best for everyone—even those who might not treat us well. This kind of love is an active good will, going beyond simple feelings and becoming a deliberate choice to help and care for others. It’s the kind of love that God showed us by sending Jesus, and the kind Jesus showed by giving His life for us. We’re called to follow their example and show active good will to everyone, no matter who they are.
Jesus made it clear that loving others—even those we consider enemies—is part of what it means to be God’s children. When we choose to act with active good will, we set ourselves apart from the crowd. We’re not just loving those who love us back; we’re loving everyone, just like God does. This isn’t always easy, but it’s what Jesus expects from His followers. It’s also a big part of the Christian life—love is meant to be the atmosphere we live in, the motivation for our actions, and the glue that holds us together.
So, how do we actually grow in this kind of love? First, we let God teach us by looking at His character—God is love. We see His patience, mercy, and kindness, and we try to follow His example. Second, we learn from Jesus, whose actions show us what real love looks like. Third, we pay attention to the teachings of the apostles, who described love in practical terms and encouraged us to pray for it to grow in our lives.
Showing love isn’t just about saying nice things or putting a bumper sticker on your car. It’s about obeying God’s instructions and genuinely caring for people, even those who seem difficult. When we help others and meet their needs, we demonstrate our love—not just in words, but in actions.
In the end, growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ is a lifelong journey. It takes diligence and a willingness to keep adding these qualities to your life. But the rewards are worth it: God’s grace and peace fill your life, you avoid spiritual pitfalls, and you have the promise of a place in God’s everlasting kingdom. So, let’s keep striving to supply these eight graces—especially active good will towards all—so we can reflect Jesus more and more every day.
Minister A Francine Green
March 2026
afrancinegreen.com 