The Pillars of Christian Character: The Basic Essentials of a Living Faith

by John F. MacArthur

Publisher:

Crossway

, 1998

Overview

It is my desire that this book would awaken you and encourage your heart toward the key spiritual attitudes that will motivate and transform your life from the inside out. With that in mind we will discuss thirteen fundamental attitudes, or pillars if you will, of Christian character that Scripture teaches all genuine followers of Christ must possess and be continually developing. It is not an exhaustive list, but each attitude is essential for mature Christian behavior.

Without question the crucial issue in living the Christian life is the condition of your heart. Actions may be temporarily deceiving, but ultimately your outward behavior will reflect what's inside, because your internal attitudes form who you really are. Those inner attitudes are also what God deems most important.

In this book one of Christianity's most respected Bible teachers and pastors examines the foundational attitudes, or "pillars," of Christian character as outlined in God's Word. Pillars such as genuine faith, obedience, humility, selfless love, forgiveness, self-discipline, gratitude, and worship.

To some degree each trait, on its own, marks a person as one of God's own and reveals an active, living faith. Each is an essential element of mature Christianity. But there is transforming power when you combine them in your everyday living as God commands. Your character will be grounded in godliness; you will see things from an eternal perspective; and your faith, your actions, your witness to others will be revitalized from the inside out. Includes study guide for individual or group study.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The apostle Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be grateful in everything means that for the believer gratitude should be connected to everything that occurs in his or her life, no matter how pleasant or difficult it is. And, as with joy, the only thing that will legitimately dampen our attitude of thanksgiving is unconfessed sin. No matter what the situation or trial, there is always reason to thank the Lord.” (Page 112)

“The real key to living a life of faith is the divine means supplied by the indwelling, powerful, ever–present Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Page 19)

“Biblically, self–discipline may be summarized in one word: obedience. To exercise self–discipline in spiritual things is to avoid evil by staying within the bounds of God’s law.” (Page 138)

“The line ‘what He says we will do, where He sends we will go’ gives us a simple definition of spiritual obedience. It basically means submitting to the Lord’s commands, doing His will, based on what is so clearly revealed in Scripture.” (Page 21)

“The prophet is saying that even if the routine, ordinary, dependable parts of daily life quit functioning—if the whole world were turned upside–down and backwards—he would still rejoice in God and keep trusting in Him. Even when he didn’t understand the circumstances, he still understood the person and work of God.” (Page 18)

Product Details

• Title: The Pillars of Christian Character: The Basic Essentials of a Living Faith
• Author: John MacArthur
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 1998
• Pages: 199

About John F. MacArthur

John MacArthur (b. 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. He is a popular conference speaker and the president of both The Master's College and The Master's Seminary. He has also served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible, Logos has collected more than 3,000 of his sermons in the John MacArthur Sermon Archive and offers the complete MacArthur New Testament Commentary.

MacArthur’s pulpit ministry extends around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly 2,000 English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, and CDs by John MacArthur. He has written hundreds of books and study guides, including the bestselling John MacArthur Essential Bible Study Library and the MacArthur Study Bible. He is also the author of notable titles like Different by Design and Twelve Ordinary Men.