Character Traits of A Genuine Christian

Bible Study
Character Traits
of A Real Chris-
tian
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not my-
self to have apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which
are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Je-
sus.
The word “Christian” defined:
The Scriptural definition of the word “Chris-

tian” is “Christ-like.”
Page 1 of 17
Bible Study
Holman Bible Dictionary defines “Christian”

this way “A Christian is an adherent of Christ;
one committed to Christ; a follower of Christ.
A Christian is one who becomes an adherent
of Christ, whose daily life and behavior facing
adversity is like Christ.”
Wikipedia defines “Christian” as “a person

who adheres to Christianity.”
Oxford American Dictionary defines “Chris-

tian” as “relating to, or professing Christianity
or its teachings; having or showing qualities
associated with Christians, esp. those of de-
cency, kindness, and fairness; a person who
has received Christian baptism or is a be-
liever in Jesus Christ and his teachings.”
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines “Chris-

tian” as “of or relating to Christianity; based
on or conforming with Christianity; of, relating
Page 2 of 17
Bible Study
to, or being a Christian; professing Christian-

ity; commendably decent or generous; con-
cern for others.”
Insightful statistics:
• 86% of Americans claimed to be “Chris-

tian” in 1990.
• 78.4% of all Americans claim to be “Chris-

tian” a year ago.
• 63% of all “Christians” say they believe the

Bible is the word of God.
• 47% of all “Christians” say they pray every-

day (or almost everyday).
• 43% of all “Christians” claim to go to

church regularly.
Page 3 of 17
Bible Study
• 20.4% of the population attends church

each weekend.
I surveyed BWC today … “What is the #1

character trait of a real Christian?”
(95 responses—I’m impressed!)

• Love – 27
• Integrity – 14
• Faithful – 9
• Compassion – 5
If you answered one of
• Honesty – 5 the top 5 … tell us why
• Servant – 4 you think this is the most
• Christ-like – 4
important character trait of
a Christian.
• Giving – 3
• Happy – 3
• Humility – 3
• Forgiving – 3
• Dedication – 2
• Sincere – 2
• Obedience – 2
Page 4 of 17
Bible Study
• Patience – 2
• Kindness – 2
• Selfless – 2
• Temperance – 1
• Holiness – 1
• Trustworthy – 1
• Affable – 1
• Yielded – 1
• Meekness – 1
For the record … there were no wrong an-

swers.
Each of the answers represents a valid char-

acter trait of a genuine Christian.
I enjoy reading and researching for Bible

studies … I researched a number of
sources to find out what various religious
leaders have to say about the character
traits of a Christian …
Page 5 of 17
Bible Study
Tim Hansel said, “The true Christian is one

who translates all we believe to be true about
Christ into his day-to-day life-style.”
Edythe Draper wrote, “A Christian is a living

sermon whether or not he preaches a word.”
Donald Wildmon said, “The duty of a Christian

is to be faithful, not popular or successful.”
Martin Luther wrote, “A Christian is the most

dutiful servant of all.”
Croft M. Pentz wrote, “The true Christian is a

person who is right-side up in an upside-down
world.”
Charles L. Allen wrote, “The Christian is not

one who has gone all the way with Christ, be-
cause none of us has; the Christian is one
who has found the right road.”
Page 6 of 17
Bible Study
John Baillie wrote, “A true Christian is a man

who never for a moment forgets what God
has done for him, and whose whole comport-
ment and whole activity have their root in the
sentiment of gratitude.”
William Barclay said, “A Christian is God’s

partner in the conversion of men.”
Robert E. Gibson said, “A Christian is the key-

hole through which other folk see God.”
Edythe Draper wrote, “A Christian is—a mind

through which Christ thinks; a heart through
which Christ loves; a voice through which
Christ speaks; a hand through which Christ
helps.”
Croft M. Pentz wrote, “A true Christian is nei-

ther ashamed of the gospel nor a shame to
the gospel.”
Page 7 of 17
Bible Study
“A genuine Christian is like a good watch. He

has an open face, busy hands, is made of
pure gold, is well-regulated, and is full of good
works.” –Unknown
In my estimation … the number one char-

acter trait of a Christian … is to be like Je-
sus.
Henry Van Dyke wrote, “A Christian life is not

an imitation but a reproduction of the life of
Christ.”
A Christian is a person who …
1] Makes others think of Jesus.
Christ in us.
Page 8 of 17
Bible Study
2] Makes it easier for others to believe in

God.
Living epistle, known and read of all men.
3] Thinks like Christ.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in

Christ Jesus.
4] Reacts like Christ.
Opened not his mouth.
5] Loves like Christ.
Greater love hath no man, than he that

would lay down his life for a friend.
6] Gives like Christ.
Page 9 of 17
Bible Study
No man taketh away my life. I lay it down

willingly.
7]
Most of what I’ve shared with you so far in

this Bible study is dictionary definitions
and the opinions of various individuals ...
Now, what does the Bible say about the char-

acter traits of a Christian?
The New Testament clearly equates a "Chris-

tian" with four distinct character traits:
1) Being a follower (disciple) of Jesus.
2) Having a changed way of thinking and

living.
Page 10 of 17
Bible Study
3) Having a willingness to accept what the

Bible says.
4) Having a willingness to suffer for Christ.
The character traits of a real Christian are

clearly outlined in the Sermon on the
Mount … Matthew 5:
Much of what Jesus had to say here goes to

the heart of what it means to be a Christian.
Some of what He said is hard … in fact, I be-

lieve these are the most difficult verses in the
Bible to obey.
• (3) Blessed (happy, to be envied, spiritually

prosperous) are the poor in spirit (the hum-
ble who rate themselves insignificant): for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Page 11 of 17
Bible Study
• (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they

shall be comforted.
• (5) Blessed are the meek (mild, patient,

longsuffering): for they shall inherit the
earth.
• (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and

thirst after righteousness (uprightness and
right standing with God): for they shall be
filled.
• (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall

obtain mercy.
• (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they

shall see God.
• (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they

shall be called the children of God.
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Bible Study
• (10) Blessed are they which are perse-

cuted for righteousness' sake (for being
and doing right): for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
• (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile

you, and persecute you, and shall say all
manner of evil against you falsely, for my
sake.
• (16) Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works (moral
excellence).
• (22) Whosoever is angry (enmity in his

heart) with his brother without a cause
shall be in danger of the judgment: and
whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca
(empty-headed idiot), shall be in danger of
the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou
fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Page 13 of 17
Bible Study
• (23-24) If thou bring thy gift to the altar,

and there rememberest that thy brother
hath ought against thee; Leave there thy
gift before the altar, and go thy way; first
be reconciled to thy brother, and then
come and offer thy gift.
• (28) Whosoever looketh on a woman to

lust after her (evil desire for her) hath com-
mitted adultery with her already in his
heart.
• (29) If thy right eye offend thee (serves as

a trap to ensnare you), pluck it out.
• (30) If thy right hand offend thee (or is an

occasion for you to stumble and sin), cut it
off.
• (32) Whosoever shall put away his wife,

saving for the cause of fornication, causeth
her to commit adultery: and whosoever
Page 14 of 17
Bible Study
shall marry her that is divorced committeth

adultery.
• (34-35) Swear not at all (do not bind your-

self by an oath at all); neither by heaven or
by earth.
• (39) Whosoever shall smite thee on thy

right cheek, turn to him the other also.
• (40) And if any man will sue thee at the

law, and take away thy coat, let him have
thy cloak also.
• (41) And whosoever shall compel thee to

go a mile, go with him twain.
• (42) Give to him that asketh thee (beg-

ging), and from him that would borrow of
thee turn not thou away.
Page 15 of 17
Bible Study
• (44) Love your enemies, bless them that

curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use
you, and persecute you.
• (48) Be ye therefore perfect (growing into

complete maturity of godliness in mind and
character), even as your Father which is in
heaven is perfect.
Verse 48 is the bottom line character trait of a

real Christian … “Growing into complete ma-
turity of godliness in mind and character!”
In Closing:
The most important advice I can give you re-

garding being a Christian is this …
Being a Christian doesn’t mean, “I’ve made

it.” Being a Christian means, “I’m on the right
road, going the right direction.”
Page 16 of 17
Bible Study
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not my-

self to have apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which
are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Je-
sus.
Page 17 of 17

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Bible Study

The word “Christian” defined:

The Scriptural definition of the word “Chris-

Holman Bible Dictionary defines “Christian”

Wikipedia defines “Christian” as “a person

Oxford American Dictionary defines “Chris-

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines “Chris-

to, or being a Christian; professing Christian-

• 86% of Americans claimed to be “Chris-

• 78.4% of all Americans claim to be “Chris-

• 63% of all “Christians” say they believe the

• 47% of all “Christians” say they pray every-

• 43% of all “Christians” claim to go to

• 20.4% of the population attends church

I surveyed BWC today … “What is the #1

(95 responses—I’m impressed!)

For the record … there were no wrong an-

Each of the answers represents a valid char-

I enjoy reading and researching for Bible

Tim Hansel said, “The true Christian is one

Edythe Draper wrote, “A Christian is a living

Donald Wildmon said, “The duty of a Christian

Martin Luther wrote, “A Christian is the most

Croft M. Pentz wrote, “The true Christian is a

Charles L. Allen wrote, “The Christian is not

John Baillie wrote, “A true Christian is a man

William Barclay said, “A Christian is God’s

Robert E. Gibson said, “A Christian is the key-

Edythe Draper wrote, “A Christian is—a mind

Croft M. Pentz wrote, “A true Christian is nei-

“A genuine Christian is like a good watch. He

In my estimation … the number one char-

Henry Van Dyke wrote, “A Christian life is not

A Christian is a person who …

1] Makes others think of Jesus.

2] Makes it easier for others to believe in

Living epistle, known and read of all men.

3] Thinks like Christ.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in

4] Reacts like Christ.

Opened not his mouth.

5] Loves like Christ.

Greater love hath no man, than he that

6] Gives like Christ.

No man taketh away my life. I lay it down

Most of what I’ve shared with you so far in

Now, what does the Bible say about the char-

The New Testament clearly equates a "Chris-

1) Being a follower (disciple) of Jesus.

2) Having a changed way of thinking and

3) Having a willingness to accept what the

4) Having a willingness to suffer for Christ.

The character traits of a real Christian are

Much of what Jesus had to say here goes to

Some of what He said is hard … in fact, I be-

• (3) Blessed (happy, to be envied, spiritually

• (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they

• (5) Blessed are the meek (mild, patient,

• (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and