Several years ago, an editor at a prominent Christian publication told me that the language about character growth in the New Testament was merely aspirational. We are sinners who limp along in this life as we await transformation in the next. Expecting deep change is a mistake.

My reaction was twofold: shock and dismay. In one sense, he was right. The language in the New Testament concerning character is aspirational. But it is not merely that, and it is not merely for the next life. It is for this one, too!

One reason I believe this has to do with my Reformed view of life. God is redeeming everything, all of creation, right now (Romans 8:19-21). We are told to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2). The word translated as “transformed” here is used in Matthew 17:2 when Jesus was “transfigured” before Peter, James, and John. That signals a drastic change. Moreover, the power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us as we seek Christlikeness now (Ephesians 1:18-20).

While all will not be fully made right until Christ returns, the kingdom is coming now. Already and not yet, as we often say. This includes our character. We won’t be perfect, but we can experience serious progress.

The Problem

Why aren’t we experiencing the transformation Paul and the other biblical authors describe? We know character matters. Yet we also have a sense that it doesn’t matter as much as it should to many followers of Christ, including ourselves. Why?

A survey about morality from the Barna Group is revealing.¹ Consider this:

• “To be fulfilled in life, you should pursue the things you desire most.” Seventy-two percent of practicing Christians completely or somewhat agreed with this claim.
• “The highest goal in life is to enjoy it as much as possible.” Sixty-seven percent of practicing Christians completely or somewhat agreed with this statement.
• “The best way to find yourself is by looking within yourself.” Seventy-six percent of practicing Christians completely or somewhat agreed with this claim.

This “morality of self-fulfillment” not only contradicts the teachings of the Bible, it also harms our character. Such an approach to life fosters moral vices like pride (and is the fruit of this vice) and self-centeredness. It also undermines virtues like love, humility, courage, and compassion. 

While it is true that Christ came so that we can have an abundant life, that life is the fruit of a deep and transformative relationship with God in Christ where we imitate his sacrificial love. It is not a life of getting what I want, of pursuing enjoyment as much as I can, nor of finding myself within myself. Joy is paradoxically found in a life of unselfish and humble love, a life full of grace and truth in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

But our souls are shaped in ways that not only hinder maturity, they are actually malformed. We find ourselves seeking the wrong things and acting in ungodly ways in our homes, churches, and broader communities. We seek pleasure through means and in moments God never intended. It could be wealth, which is often a blind spot for us given the vast wealth that exists in the United States. We are too often shaped by the culture war, by politicians and pundits, rather than the kingdom, our pastors, and our profession of faith. All of this can lead us away from good character and following the way of Jesus.

What Does the New Testament Say?

The New Testament is full of encouragements and exhortations related to character. We are to be imitators of God in Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2). The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – are central virtues for Christians. There are lists of virtues to pursue and vices to avoid in Colossians 3 and 1 Corinthians 13. In 2 Peter 1:3-11 our growth in character is clearly linked with the power and promises of God, but also with our own Spirit-fueled efforts. We are commanded to “make every effort” to grow in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, and love.

But this is not a Christian self-help program nor a gospel of merely being a good person. Rather, it is about the kingdom of God being manifested in our lives, including our character. It only happens as God works and as we make ourselves available to that work via the Spirit and the church. Then we can see the kind of character transformation the Scriptures teach us is possible. 

Becoming “Little Christs”

C.S. Lewis tells us that “Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.”² How?

First, we can attend to the ways that Sunday worship can form our character, as we have our lives re-oriented by God’s Spirit. Worship and confession, for example, can foster humility and forgiveness in us if we approach them properly. The reading of God’s Word and the sermon can foster the virtues of faith, hope, and love, as we allow the truth to penetrate our souls. 

Role models play a vital role in showing us how to be people of good character in the midst of our lost world. Forms of discipleship and a focus on life together as followers of Jesus that include a regular practice of the classic spiritual disciplines of the church alone and together are vital. The seemingly small daily decisions we make can reinforce virtue or vice. These small things matter to God. For example, limiting social media use has been wise for me. Small choices make up most of the substance of daily life with friends, family, co-workers, and others. 

Human beings need good character. We were designed for it. The church needs it, too. Our calling demands it. And our world is suffering due to the lack of it. Seeking God’s kingdom and manifesting it here requires it.

Michael W. Austin is professor of philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University and a ruling elder at Covenant Community Church (PCA) in Richmond, Kentucky. His latest book is Humility: Rediscovering the Way of Love and Life in Christ (Eerdmans, 2024).

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¹ “The End of Absolutes: America’s New Moral Code,” Barna Group, https://www.barna.com/research/the-end-of-absolutes-americas-new-moral-code/. The survey is from 2015. I suspect things are similar now, perhaps even worse.

² C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity(San Francisco: HarperOne, 2015), 177.