CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

First Principle:

Character

Definitions:
A. Nature, firmness of will, constancy, relative stability in the way of acting and
react, moral act.
B. It is the inner life of man - the lack of character reveals the nature of man.
Saintliness produces character.
C. It is something printed or stamped with pressure, like a character formed in stone or
metal.
D. Character is a conditional belief that results in consistent behavior. Always
responds the same way in similar situations, is not fickle, does not change.
E. Character is an internal pressure forming in us the image (character) of Christ and
externally the lifestyle of Christ. It is a work of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 4:19 'My
children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.
It means each one reacting and thinking with Him and doing what He would do. Phil 3:17; 1Th
1:6.
If we listen to and heed the internal pressures of the Holy Spirit, we do not need the
external pressure. External pressures come from situations and other people. If we try
avoid pressures in every way, we flee from the situations that God puts in our path
to form in us the character of Christ. (Rom 5:4) - 'experience = character'

1 - What character is not:

A. It is not what we will be in the future, but what we are now. Character depends on what
we are now.
B. To be in the future, we either change or we will be disqualified.
C. They are not just actions, but a whole.

2 - What is necessary to change our character:

A. It is necessary to go deep (furnace of tribulation). The furnace: Daniel 3 - In the furnace the
the ties that bind us are destroyed and the fourth man appears. God uses all
the things to shape character in us.
B. Character is revealed when a person is under pressure. The pressure of life is
test of development for our character. Without a developed character
we will be disqualified.
C. Saul lost his kingdom due to a lack of character (1 Sam 15).

3 - Character traits:
A. Good character – People who can respond according to God's will. – David,
Joseph in Egypt.
B. Bad character – People who fight against God by always doing the wrong things.
Saul.
C. Without character – People who are led by others. – Judas.
4 - Areas to form character:
A. What we talked about;
B. In what we think;
C. How we act – Gn 2:15 (Cultivate = to work hard – work and honesty =
Character).

5 – Areas in which we must demonstrate our character:

A. In financial matters:
The Christian character involves the most scrupulous conduct in all financial dealings.
with our equals. Paul warned in his letter to Timothy: "The love of
money is the root of all evil: and some, in this greed, have deviated from faith, and themselves
even if they were tormented with many pains" (1 Timothy 6:10).
Disagreements on financial matters often disturb the
unity of the church.
But you yourselves commit injustice and cause harm, and this to your own brothers. Or not?
Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the impure,
neither idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor sodomites, nor greedy, nor
drunkards, slanderers, or thieves will inherit the kingdom of God” (1Co 6:8-10).
Robbery concerning tithes and offerings (Mal 3:8 - 12)
Making a family plan:

Tithes and Offerings

2. Rent
3. Food
Installments
5. Water and light
School
7. Clothing
8. Savings (if there's any left)

B. Personal Integrity
Integrity and honor are required of those who wish to be members of the body of
Christ.
The Apostle Paul declared in Colossians 3:9, 'Do not lie to one another.' It is strange that such a
admonition needs to be given to a Christian. Unfortunately, some people do not
They worry a lot about this area, such as: not keeping one's word, small lies.
whites, or light exaggerations like mentr. However, these very things make
as trust gives way to mistrust and suspicion.
Job 1:8 - God Himself testifies to Job's integrity.
1 Tim 4:1-2 - "Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some"
they will abandon the faith, by obeying deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
by the hypocrisy of those who speak lies, and who have seared their own conscience.
Psalm 15:1-4 - The psalmist asked: "Who, Lord, will dwell in Your tabernacle? Who
Who may dwell in Your holy mountain?” The Lord's answer was: “He who lives with
integrity, and practices justice, speaks the truth from the heart... What swears with harm
own and does not retract.
Col 3:9 – "Do not lie to one another."
False testimony - Ex 20:16; 23:1;
Pv 19:9
Mt 19:18
(example: Mt 28:11-15; Acts 6:11 (the death of Stephen); 17:5-6)
C. Moral integrity
Illicit love affairs are naturally kept absolutely secret. But a
Two great principles that govern the universe are that sin will be discovered.
Know that your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23)
For David, God said: 'Because you did it in secret, but I will do this before everyone.'
Israel is before the sun” (2 Sm 12:12). David was forgiven for his great sin, but for
the rest of your life was afflicted with suffering and tragedy. God said: "No
the sword shall never depart from your house” (2 Sam 12:10).
Jesus declared: "... nothing is hidden that will not be revealed; nor concealed, that
"it will not be known" (Mt 10:26).
But I say to you: everyone who looks at a woman with intention
impure, in the heart has already adulterated with her.

D. Integrity in the face of sound doctrine:

The Apostle Paul repeats his caution time and again to Timothy and Titus that
remain in sound doctrine;
Maintain the pattern of your words that you heard from me with faith and with the love that
is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:13).
For there will come a time when they will not endure sound doctrine; instead, they will surround themselves
masters, according to their own desires, and they will refuse to listen to the
truth, giving themselves to fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Paulo tells Tito that a bishop or elder must use sound doctrine to convince.
those who contradict: "Attached to the faithful word that is according to the doctrine, so that
have power, thus to exhort for the right teaching to convince those who
"contradict" (Tt 1:9).
He urges Tito to sternly rebuke those who tend to stray.
of the path of sound doctrine: "Such testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them
seriously, so that they may be healthy in faith, and not be occupied with Jewish fables, nor
the commandments of men who have deviated from the truth” (Titus 1:10-14).
Again, the apostle reiterates his warning that Titus should speak the things that are
But as for you, speak what is proper for sound doctrine: As for the men
elders, be temperate, respectable, sensible, healthy in faith, in love and in
constancy... Become, personally, a standard of goodness. In teaching, show integrity,
reverence, healthy language e unimpeachable, for what o the opponent be
ashamed" (Tt 2:1-2; 7-8).

E. Christian conduct towards our brothers:

It is not convenient for a Christian to enter into violent controversies that inflame the
emotions and prejudices of people, speaking to Tito, Paulo declared: "Remind them that
submit yourselves to those who govern, to the authorities; be obedient, be ready
for every good deed, do not defame anyone; nor be quarrelsome, but modest,
showing all courtesy to all men” (Titus 3:1-2)
Jesus said: "I tell you that every idle word they speak to men, they will give account of it...
you will be counted on the day of judgment; for by your words you will be justified, and by your
You will be condemned by your words. " (Mt 12:36-37).
II Tim 2:24 "It is necessary that the servant of the Lord not engage in contention, but rather, must be
gentle with all, suitable for teaching, patient.
Philippians 1:14-18 "Some indeed proclaim Christ out of envy and rivalry; others,
however, they do it willingly; ... Yet, what does it matter? Once Christ,
In any case, it is being preached, whether in pretext or in truth, as well.
With this I rejoice, yes, I will always rejoice.
Many will be ashamed before the Lord on that day (of the Lord).
Psalm 41:9 "Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread,
he raised his heel against me.
Romans 13:1 "Let every man be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no...
authority that does not proceed from God.
II Tim 5:8 "Now, if anyone does not take care of his own, and especially of those of his household."
own house, has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever." (natural and spiritual house)
Hebrews 13:4 'Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure;'
for God will judge the impure and the adulterers.
Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but rather,

Let us make admonitions, and even more as you see the day approaching.
For we, being many, are one bread and one body: for we all
we partake of the same bread.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit to form one body.
Now, you two are the Body of Christ; and its members in particular.
Second Principle:

Individuality
Unity with Diversity:

Mass or member?
A challenge that every child of God faces when they begin to walk with Him,
it is about knowing your rightful place in the living organism, which we call the Body of Christ, or,
THE CHURCH. Its growth in the church, as well as in society, depends on your
conscious understanding of your individuality. We think: "Should I only do the
What others do, or can I be different? Should I only follow, or should I also
Guide? Am I just a part of the mass, or am I an individual and unique member?
The answer is that we are both: Mass and member. I am "just" mass in the
my commitment to God and to the church, in my reason for being and in my source
of life. I am an individual member and unique in the expression of my being, in my gifts and
functions, and in my responsibility.

Mass
John 17:20, 21 – "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who
they came to believe in me, through your word; so that all may be
Um; and as You, O Father, are in Me and I in You, may they also be in Us; so that
the world believed that you sent me.
Ephesians 4:11-16 – "And he himself gave some to be apostles, others to be...
prophets, others for evangelists, and others for pastors and teachers, with a view to
the perfection of the saints for the performance of their service, for the edification
of the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the full
knowledge of the God of God, to perfect manhood, to the measure of the stature of
fullness of Christ, so that you will no longer be like children, tossed back and forth
elsewhere, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men,
by the cunning with which they lead to error.
But speaking the truth in love, let us grow up in every way into him who is the
HEAD, AND THE CHRIST, from whom the whole body, well fitted and consolidated by
aid from the whole board, according to the fair cooperation of each party, carries out its
"own growth for the edification of oneself in love."
Romans 12:3-8 - "For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you"
you who do not think of yourself, beyond what you did before, think moderately
according to the measure of faith that God has distributed to each one. For just as one
body, we have many members, but not all members have the same
function...
Acts 4:32-35 - "The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul."
No one considered exclusively theirs any of the things they owned; everything
however it was common for them. With great power the apostles gave witness to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, in all of them there was abundant grace. For none
there was someone in need among them, since those who owned land or houses,
selling them, they brought the corresponding amounts and deposited them at the feet of the
 apostles; then it was distributed to anyone as someone had
need.
1 Corinthians 5: 6-8 - "Your boast is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?"

Does yeast rise the entire dough?

Boastfulness: Self-exaltation, misguided confidence in power, success or in
material possessions. Refusal of divine providence based on personal success
Self-confidence. Luke 18:9-14
Acts 2:42-47 – "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in
part of the bread and in the prayers...

2. Member
1 Corinthians 12:6-11 (diversity) - "But the same God works everything"
In everyone. The manifestation of the Spirit is granted to each one, aiming for a purpose.
beneficial. For to one is given, through the Spirit, the word of knowledge;
to one, wisdom; to another, according to the same Spirit, the word of knowledge; and
to another, in the same Spirit, faith; and to another, in the same Spirit, gifts of healing; to
to one, operations of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discernment of
spirits; to one a variety of languages; to another, the ability to interpret them. But
But one and the same Spirit accomplishes all these things, distributing them as He wills.
pleases each one individually.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 - The organic unity of the Church.

INDIVIDUALITY
Internal (mass) External (member)
Unit Diversity (each one is unique)
Indivisible Distinct or own characteristic
Spirit Body (1 Cor 6:20)
Personality External identity

EXTREMES
Individualist Christian Humanist
Humanist Individuality Collectivism
Account to yourself Give an account to God Account for the group (Ex
17:6 23:2)
Do your own will Do the will of God Do the will of the group
Do good to your own God, through the individual, and do good in the eyes of the group.
eyes the important
Self-centered Centered on Christ Focused on the group
Conforming to oneself Conformed to the image of Conformed to the group
Christ
Complete in itself Complete in Christ Complete in relation to the
group
Extreme diversity Result: unit with extreme uniformity
diversity
 COMPARISON OF EXTREMES
Coletivism Individuality (Church) Individuality
I am just part of the group I need others but I don't need anyone.
my part
Dependent Interdependent Independent
Third Principle:

Self-government

Definitions:
1. Government
A. Direction; regulation. For example: these principles will serve for the guidance of our
conduct.
B. Control, restrict. Ex.: the man has a tendency to neglect the government.
C. The exercise of authority; direction and control exercised over the actions of
men in communities, societies, or states; the management of matters
public, according to the constitution, the laws and established customs or decree
arbitrary.
D. The exercise of authority by parents. Ex. Children are often
harmed by the lack of parental governance.
E. The political system of the state.

2. Self-control (Acts 24:25; 1 Cor 9:27; 2 Pet 1:6; Prov 16:32)

A. The Government of oneself. A voluntary obedience to divine laws for the
human procedure.
B. The exercise of authority over oneself; direction and control exercised by
person about their own wills, passions, appetites, and actions.
C. The sovereignty of the individual, the ability to control oneself.

Self-governance (God's Principle)

Internal greater than External
Galatians 5:19-24 – Self-control (self-governance). God's plan is that all
things are governed from the inside out.
INTERNAL - Will, mind, emotions controlled by the Lord (His grace).
...the law came in to increase the trespass; but where sin increased...
sin abounded, grace abounded; so that, as sin reigned in death,
so grace might reign; so that, just as sin reigned through death,
so also grace might reign through righteousness for eternal life, through JESUS CHRIST
OUR LORD.
EXTERNAL - Of oneself City Church State Nation World
Universe.
Genesis 1:26-28 – "And God said: Let us make man in our image,
according to our likeness; let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the
birds of the sky, over the domestic animals, over all the earth his image, to
God created man in His image; male and female He created them. And God blessed them and said: Be fruitful
be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish, over the
birds, and above all animals that crawl on the ground.
... He, Jesus, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong ...
clamor and tears, prayers and supplications to those who could free him from death, and having been
heard because of his piety, although being a SON, learned obedience through
things he suffered and, having been perfected, became the AUTHOR OF eternal SALVATION
for all who obey him.
Note: The only way we have to learn to dominate with God begins with the
self-governance and there is no exception, for Jesus himself learned self-governance
for the suffering.
...You have given him (man) dominion over the works of Your hands, and
under your feet, you placed everything for you...

Genesis 2:15-17 "Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the
garden of Eden to cultivate and to keep...

Self-governance comes through:

1. Submission (the key word of self-governance is obedience)
Proverbs 1:8 – Submit to your father and mother;
... if you accept my words and hide my commandments with you
commandments...
Pv 3:1 "... Do not forget the teachings... keep the commandments of the LORD..."
Prov 4:1 "... Hear, my children, the instruction of the father..."
... Pay attention to wisdom and lean toward understanding...
... Keep the commandment of your father and the instruction of your mother...
Note: Obedience is the principle of all submission; one cannot have authority without it.
having submitted beforehand.
David and Saul: Obedience or rebellion? 1 Sam 15:22,23

2. Biblical Convictions (correct motives)

We must have the right motivation, and it has to be based on the word of
God.
Proverbs 12:24 'The diligent hand will rule, but the slack hand will be subjected to.'
forced labor.
Proverbs 20:21 "An estate gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed in the end."
Proverbs 16:2 "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the
LORD weighs the spirit.

3. Suffering
I would add suffering as a principle to achieve self-government. E.g.:
Suffering of Jesus. "But there is another kind of suffering, known only by
Christian: it is what goes beyond what the mind can conceive. It is rare, as well as precious.
of jewels." (A.W. Tozer - The Root of the Righteous).

4. Set specific and achievable goals.

Do not share your targets with others without God's permission; this
It can discourage you. When you start, finish! Self-control is not
emotional: It is fruit!
 COMPARISON OF EXTREMES
Government Total Self-Government Without government
Collectivism Anarchy
The majority is the Law God is the law. His word is the I am the law
law
Few have the right to be No one has the right to I have the right to be
in authority. The government is to be in authority, if not in authority.
to her to be underneath
authority
Law without freedom Freedom with law Freedom without law
Without internal control Internal and external control Without external control

CONCLUSION:
Christ in man is the authority - John 2:20-27; Colossians 1:27-29; Galatians 4:19
Christ must govern internally before governing externally James 3:2; Romans
7:21-25; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
External controls are necessary for the purpose of building control.
internal. 1 Tim 1:15; Gal 6:16-18; Prov 25:28
There must be a balance between the interior and the exterior; the more internal control
there must be less external needed.
The external reflects the internal.

Example: The church

We live today, on earth, as Christians, being trained to govern.
in the future about all of God's creation.
Read verses like: 'The dominion and the majesty of the kingdoms under all the heaven,
the people of the saints of the MOST HIGH will be given...” (Dn 7:27), or Psalms 149:7-9, are
truly encouraging, but we would not get there if they do not take us, like Jesus, to
to achieve self-governance, or the government of oneself, without which I will never reach the
domain proposed by God.
Seeing that we have such a high vision, that of reigning with God and for Him, let us submit.
today to all those whom He places in authority over us, so that being under
authority, we can have it and use it for his glory.
Complete submission was what propelled Jesus as a man, for he said:
"Here I am, O God, to do your will" or "I can do nothing of myself" or
"your will be done..." or still "...not my will, but yours..." in the agonies
from Gethsemane. This was one of Jesus' secrets. Will it be ours?
Fourth Principle:

Mordomy

Definitions:
The most important property that God entrusted to man was his
own consciousness. In consciousness, the moral laws of God are expressed.
The conscience, when trained in the ways of the word of God and
led by the Holy Spirit within the individual, will remain sensitive to conviction and
correction, discerning between the true and the false.
If we are good stewards of our conscience, exercising it and maintaining it.
free and clean, we have true freedom, regardless of external conditions.

If you are responsible for your main internal property, which is your
consciousness, you will be responsible for private property, which is external.

Biblical Base:
Acts 24:16 – Strive to maintain a pure conscience;
1 Timothy 1:5 - Admonition leads to a good conscience;
1 Timothy 4:1,2 - A seared conscience leads to lies and hypocrisy;
Hebrews 9:14 - The blood purifies the conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Living God;
Ephesians 2:10 – We were created for good works (internal > external);
Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents;
1 Corinthians 4:2 - Stewardship = Steward, must be faithful;
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 – We are stewards of our body, it leads to glorifying
God.

Each person has the individual responsibility to take care of themselves. It is our
main duty is to take care of what we receive from God: body, thoughts, decisions and
attitudes. By doing this we can help others.
Jeremiah 17:9-19 - The heart is deceitful > the Lord knows, tests...
Matthew 22:23-39 – The two greatest commandments.
We need to exercise this principle in our whole life because everything the
that the man received he will have to give account to God.

Internal External
Consciousness, obedience, and will External properties
Discern between good and evil Acts 2:42-47 (common>ready to share with the
others
Romans 2:14-16
Ben's details
Definition of property (Webster): A possession or right; authority or just.
cause (Note: if there is a just cause, there is also an unjust cause. For example: The fish does not have the
right to live on earth; man does not have the right to become a woman). Work
it is the title to property; only through it can a man achieve full possession
of that which one has the right and authority to possess.

Collectivism Mordomia Libertnagem

Excess of power, there is none External property and There is no excess of freedom
property internal respect for the
property
Tiago 5:1-6 1Timóteo 6:3-12
No one is safe in what The purpose of the government is
they protect the property

In 1792, James Madison wrote: "Firstly the land of a man, or

merchandise, or money is called your property. In another sense, a man
there is a property equal in the free use of faculties, and the free choice of objects
about which he employs them. In other words, how a man has the right
For its properties, it can be said that it has a property in its rights.
2 Timothy 2:4 'No soldier in active service gets entangled in the affairs of everyday life,'
because your objective is to satisfy the one who recruited you.

Fifth Principle:
 Form and Power or Sovereignty
(of God in us)

Definitions:
The power or source of all things is God. When any other power
begins to be the source of our lives, or of any church, we leave from
sovereignty of God;
Form is the structure, a coordinated order of all parts in the whole, the
things ordered and organized.
When form presents itself as the main item in the church, power
turn off, and if there is power without form, there is the danger of the operation of another spirit.
the order in the worship.
The form = Cults, cells, discipleships on Sundays and communion
(sharing, pastoral care)
2 Timothy 3:1-5 ... having a form (external) of godliness but denying (internal) its power, avoid.
of these. They do not accept sovereignty.
Mt 9:17 – New wineskins (form) for new wine (power)
Rm 1:20 - The power of God is recognized by the form (perfection) of creation.

Isaiah 33:22 - "For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the
LORD is our king; he will save us.” – He gives POWER (KING), FORM (LEGISLATOR)
and balances the two (JUDGE).
Mt 22:36-40 – The commandment is the way of the Lord, but the power only flows if you
obey from the heart the form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Identifying the principle and
its consequences:
Proverbs 19:20-21 – "Listen to advice and accept instruction; that you may be wise in the future."
your days to come.
Proverbs 11:14; 15:22.. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the purpose
the LORD will remain.

Biblical principles flow from the divine nature, expressed in many ways.
modes in the Bible:

Power - Spirit - He is the sovereign power (There is only one God);

The Form – The Trinity: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The principle of sovereignty operated on earth in Christ:

The power took form, the Word became flesh (John 1:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:5,6) – Jesus manifested
the power or sovereignty of God, for this reason He was its representative.
Representative - It is someone who substitutes another with the authority of the represented.
Authority – A power that is received and grants the right to fulfill a mandate.
Something legal. This power is the ability or faculty to change things.
Mandate – To say, order, direct or entrust someone with something. It implies
in authority and power to fulfill what the FATHER commanded.

The Pharisees were a powerless form; Jesus was the true power in form.
adequate. In the kingdom of God, we are the manifestation of power in varied forms to
glorify the Name and fulfill His mandate (will).

The Spirit, the form and how they manifest:

A. The Spirit or Power – Romans 8:1-17; 2 Corinthians 3:2-6,7; Galatians 4:3-7
B. The form – how God manifests Himself;
C. The Father - Rom 8:15-17; John 15 (He is the owner and author of the law)
D. The Son - It is the fulfilled law. The mediator - John 17:22,23;
E. The Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:10-16.
F. We must know and love the Father, observe and follow Christ, manifesting Him.
by the Spirit.

Internal External
The Power The Form
The Spirit The Manifestation
Nature The Structure
The Plan The Execution of the Plan

Sixth Principle:
 Sow and Harvest

Definitions:
Every truth must be planted, watered, and cultivated before it bears fruit, and
allow a harvest that is worthwhile penalty. a
We must be diligent in teaching and planting the truth in ourselves and in others.
Living the principles = Security and freedom in us and in our children. Gl 6:23
Sow for the flesh = Please yourself – Romans 15:1-3; Romans 8:6
The wages of sin is death – Rom 6:23 (Spiritual death emphasis)
John 15:1-17 (3-5) – Remain, obey = fruits.
John 12:23-26 – A grain of wheat dies to bear fruit. (Isaiah 53:11-12 – Jesus was the
seed of God for man.
Mt 13:1-23 – The parable of the sower (Mc 4:13-20 – trampled path/
rocky/ thorns/ good soil/ 30, 60, 100 for one)
We have a commandment to bear fruit. (Mt 25:14-30 Parable of the...
Talents); John 15:8,16.
Ps 1:1-3 – vs. 1 – How not to sow.
vs. 2 - How to grow by meditating on the Word
vs. 3 - what we reap for following the law = success.
Galatians 5:22 - Fruit in the singular.
Only one fruit of the Spirit has all these qualities. There is no true love without
patience, etc...

Quality Quantity
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.
vs. 7 – Harvest according to what is sown. vs. 6 – Sow little, harvest little, vice versa.
vs. 8 - The fruit is our responsibility. vs. 7 - Proposal in the heart, to sow with
joy
John 12:32 – Exalting Jesus = Quality vs. 8 - Abundance of grace
Loving men = Quantity Who gives us the seed is God.

Sowing Process:

A. Before sowing: prepare the soil (heart)

Jr 4:3-4 – Break up your fallow ground; do not sow among thorns – (We
we prepare the soil
Hosea 10:12-13 - Sow righteousness = reap according to mercy
Always plow before sowing.
Know the soil first, treat it first (inner healing)
B. Sow - Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:9 - Do not mix things or
thoughts that are not of God in us.
Tg 1:12-15 - The mind is a spiritual womb. It is easier not to sow than
uproot a tree with roots (Heb 12:14-15).
1 Peter 1:13-16 - "Girding"... be careful with what enters your mind (seeing, hearing, and reading)
TO SEE + TO HEAR = TO THINK, TO SAY AND TO DO
 Harvest – Mark 4:26-29 – First the blade, then the ear, and after that the full grain in the ear.
Leaf: produces energy from the sun, depends on itself = Self-governance.
Personal relationship with God: - The ear of corn is the form, external appearance of what
changed internally.
The ear full of grains is the ripe fruit.
The Pruning - John 15:2 - If it bears fruit, there will be pruning so that it produces more, if
will not produce will be cut.
Hebrews 12:11-15 – Correction to produce fruit.
Lc 13:6:9 – Digging = at the roots (prayer).

Seventh Principle:
 Unity, Union, Alliance
Definition:
Meaning: Collective action, aimed at a single goal.
Unity is the state of being one; the quality of being one or unique.
Union is the act of uniting two or more ideas; alliance; pact; concord.
The internal unit comes before the external union.
Unity cannot exist without oneness. If there is no oneness in ideas.
internally, one cannot form a union externally. The emphasis must be on
in searching for the internal unity to achieve the external union.
God is in harmony with Himself (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
Creation is in harmony and works according to divine laws.
Man was called to live in harmony with other men.

Principles of Unity from the Example of Jesus:

1.Humility - To consider others as superior to oneself.

- Philippians 2:5-11 ("Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus")
Jesus, for he, existing in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be
equal to God; rather, he emptied himself, taking the human form, the same
even if he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death and death on a cross. By
that God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth and
under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.
Proverbs 11:2 - "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
humble is wisdom.
Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
of the heavens.
Matthew 18:4 – "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
greater in the kingdom of heaven.
Philippians 4:12-13 – "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound; in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."

in every circumstance, I have experienced both abundance and hunger;

I can do all things through him who strengthens me, in abundance as well as in scarcity.

2. Obedience - To submit to the will of another and execute it.

John 13:34-35 - "A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another;"
just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. In this
They will know that you are my disciples: if you love one another.
-1 Jo 3:15-16 – "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know..."
that every murderer does not have eternal life abiding in him. In this
we know love: that Christ gave his life for us; and we must give ours
life by the brothers.
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another"
Others, to be healed. The supplication of the righteous can do much, by its effectiveness.
 At 4:32 – "From the multitude of those who believed there was one heart and one soul. No one
considered exclusively his own none of the things he possessed; everything,
however, it was common for them.
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all.
transgressions.
-1 Co 13:4-7 - "Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy, does not
puffs up, does not become arrogant, does not behave inappropriately, does not seek the
your interests, does not get exasperated, does not resent evil; does not rejoice at the
injustice, but rejoices in the truth; all suffers, all believes, all hopes,
everything supports.
-1 Co 10:32-33; 11:1 – “Não vos torneis causa de tropeço nem para judeus,
neither for the fools, nor for the church of God, just like also
I seek in everything to be pleasant to everyone, not pursuing my own.
interest, but that of many, so that they may be saved. Be my imitators,
as I am of Christ.

The Great Challenge of the Church

How will the world be convinced that Jesus is indeed the Christ, sent by
Father? How will the divine glory of the Primitive Church be restored? How could the Church...
to be improved? We find the answer to all these questions already in
intercession of Christ, in John 17, when He prays that His followers may be one
only Body. The Church is more than an organization, it is an organism, a body constructed
of many members, and if we want it to fulfill its purpose, it is necessary that
each member is found in the right place and functioning in a relationship with the
too much.

1 – Christ's prayer for Unity.

That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also
that they may be one in us; so that the world may believe that you sent me" (John 17:21).
Note that Christ's prayer for unity is repeated two more times. Only
There is another record in the scriptures where the Lord repeated it three times.
prayer. It was when He was agonizing in the Garden, at the moment He was praying for the will of
Father would comply. The fact that, three times, he had repeated the same request seems
suggest something of vital importance and extraordinary significance.
Could the problem of the unification of the Church be that its Body becomes
only one would demonstrate to be a task comparable in difficulty to the very itself.
redemption? Let's take a look at the other two statements in John 17 in favor of the unity of the Church.
vs. 22 - "And I gave them the glory that you gave me, so that they may be one, as
we are one
vs. 23 - "I in them, and all in me, so that they may be perfect in unity, and
so that the world may know that you sent me and that you have loved them
they, as you have loved me.
Well then: will this prayer of Christ be fulfilled or not? Or will it perhaps only be fulfilled
In heaven? There is absolutely no possibility of error! Jesus' prayer in favor
the unity refers to this present time - 'so that the world may believe that you
you sent me.
2 - The Body of Christ is an Organism
The compelling reason why the church should become one is that it is more than
one organization only; it is an organism – the Body of Christ on earth.. God "subjected
all things under his feet (That is, under the feet of Christ), and to be head over
He gave all things to the Church, which is His Body" (Eph. 1:22-23)
Paul, in his great Epistle to the Ephesians, discusses this in detail.
unit of the Body of Christ. He begins by saying: "Diligently seeking to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). This unity is of the Spirit, but
Note that it is also something that will not be fulfilled without our cooperation!

The Apostle speaks to the Ephesians about the seven unities that must be kept (v. 4-6):
One Body
One Spirit
One single hope
One Lord
One faith
One baptism
One God and Father

3 - How will the unity of the Body of Christ be realized?

The realization of the unity of the Body of Christ, just as it has been expressly given to us
this is the work of the Spirit of God, who will act through the supernatural gifts of
ministries that God has given to the Church (Eph. 4:7-11):
Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Evangelists
4. Shepherds
5. Doctors (Masters)

We were also warned that these ministerial gifts are indispensable.

the task of perfecting the Church, until its members 'reach the unity of faith'. A
only the ministerial gift that is missing, and the work will be incomplete:

Ephesians 4:11-13 – "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, and some..."
for evangelists, and others for pastors and others for doctors, wanting the
the perfection of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the Body of
Christ. Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of
God, the perfect man, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
God's purpose is that the whole Body of Christ be 'well fitted', each
member supplying its part "in the proper operation" and "growth of the body" (Eph 4:16). The
The church is a body whose members must come together in such a unified way that
they form a single unit; otherwise, the result will be a sick Body that never
will be fit to fulfill God's purpose for him.
 Course Conclusion
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed
that does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15)

Approved Worker:
This condition is very serious, as it means approved in all areas.
approved internally and externally, approved by God (holiness of life) and
by men (Life testimony).

There is nothing to be ashamed of:

This must be our motivation in life, and we hope that you, after applying
all the principles presented and taught in this course, may seek a life that
glorify Jesus in all your actions. May you have a life worthy of a servant.
of the Lord, always walking with your head held high. Always knowing how to answer everyone.
what they ask for the reason of your faith,

He handles the word of truth well:

To manage; it doesn’t mean to memorize the whole Bible, but that you know how to handle it.
like the sword. It, the word of God, is the true weapon that every servant of God
you need to know how to manage to dismantle all the enemy's hosts, because in
reality "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and
powers, against the rulers of this dark world, against the forces
spirituals of evil, in the heavenly regions.
This is the great purpose of this course, that the man of God may be perfect and
perfectly prepared for every good work. God has a great concern for
all your word, so that your servants have a good preparation in knowledge
from your word, and in the walk of faith, to know how to discern between what is right and what
it is wrong.
Many men seek to prepare themselves in many ministerial areas, many
they assume ministries, yet without having their character shaped to the person of the Lord
Jesus.
We hope that this course has served as a foundation for your ministry, to
that you know, within the principles of the word of God, to be a approved worker,
having a transformed character and treated by the Lord and owner of the Church and of our
lives, JESUS CHRIST.

And to Him all honor, all glory and praise, for the ages of
centuries. Amen!
CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

Apostolic Church New Wine