The Character of Christ PB

Most experienced Christians are familiar with the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians. Love, peace, patience, and so on are often considered both gracious marks of true Christian character and ideals to aim for. But what do they look like when lived to the fullest?

This book answers this question by studying the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit in the life of Christ. In a warm and engaging style, Jonathan Landry Cruse examines these godly attributes in the Lord’s example, comparing them with our own faltering efforts at holiness, and shows that we can only bear true fruit for God by our union to the life-giving Vine. The work is God’s, not ours – and this is good news for all those who yearn for greater sanctification.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Landry Cruse studied theology at Westminster Seminary California. He is an author, hymnwriter, and the pastor of Community Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jonathan is husband to Kerri Ann and a father of three. Jonathan’s books include What Happens When We Worship, The Christian’s True Identity, and Hymns of Devotion.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements xi

Introduction: This Is Not a How-to Book 1
Biblical and Christological Background 4
His Spirit, Our Spirit 8
1 The Love of God Made Manifest 13
Defining Love 15
Discovering Love 16
- Jesus’ love is willing and ready 19
- Jesus’ love is sacrificial 22
- Jesus’ love is gracious 23
- Jesus’ love is merciful 24
Desiring Love 26
2 The Joy of Your Master 29
The Embodiment of Joy 29
The Source of Joy 33
- A false source of joy 34
- The true source of joy 36
The Permanence of Joy 38
The Place of Joy 43
3 He Himself Is Our Peace 47
Eternal Peace 49
Internal Peace 51
External Peace 57
4 Consider Him Who Endured 63
Forbearance 65
- Repent 69
- Represent 71
Long-suffering 72
5 When Kindness Appeared 77
Kindness Incarnate 80
Three Scenes 81
- Kindly feeding 82
- Kindly healing 83
- Kindly forgiving 85
Just Be Kind? 87
6 ‘Why Do You Call Me Good?’ 91
Goodness in Creation and Providence 93
Goodness in Question 95
Goodness in Redemption 97
Goodness in Me 101
7 Faithful to Him Who Appointed Him 105
The ‘What’ of Christ’s Faithfulness 107
- He manifested God’s name 109
- He preached God’s word 110
- He kept God’s people 110
- Objection(s)! 111
The ‘So What?’ of Christ’s Faithfulness 114
8 ‘I Am Gentle’ 119
Two Characteristics 120
- Gentleness 121
- Lowliness 124
An Imperative 125
An Invitation 128
9 ‘Not My Will but Yours Be Done’ 133
What It Is 134
Why We Need It 136
How We Get It 139
- The life of Jesus 139
- The life of faith 142
Conclusion: Beautiful Saviour, Beautiful Saints 147
For Further Study and Discussion 155