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Examples of God's Character and Values Reflected in Everyday Life

The character and values of God are reflected in everyday life through the qualities and actions expected of individuals, often exemplified by Christ himself. These divine attributes, such as holiness, humility, diligence, and devotedness, are not abstract concepts but are intended to be lived out in human experience [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Holiness is a fundamental aspect of God's character, and it serves as the standard for human conduct [4]. The command to "be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:45, 1 Peter 1:15-16) underscores this expectation [4]. This divine attribute is not merely a state of being but is expressed through actions and a way of life. For instance, a godly life provides evidence of truly knowing God [9]. The New Testament further emphasizes this, stating that individuals are "new created in" holiness (Ephesians 4:24) and are called to possess it [4]. Holiness is also necessary for worshiping God and is presented as a prerequisite for seeing God [4]. The gospel itself is described as the "way of holiness" (Isaiah 35:8) [4].

Humility is another value central to God's character, profoundly demonstrated by Christ [1]. Jesus's example of humility is seen in passages like Matthew 11:29 and Philippians 2:5-8, where he "made himself nothing" [1, 5]. Humility is considered necessary for serving God (Micah 6:8) and is a characteristic of those who are regarded, heard, and delivered by God [1]. Those who are humble are said to enjoy God's presence, are lifted up and exalted by God, and receive more grace [1]. Proverbs 15:33 states that "humility comes before honor" [1]. Colossians 3:12 encourages individuals to "put on... humble-mindedness" [7].

Diligence is also presented as a reflection of God's character and a required human trait, with Christ again serving as the ultimate example [3]. Jesus's diligence is seen in his early engagement with his Father's business (Luke 2:49) and his consistent prayer life (Mark 1:35) [3]. God requires diligence in seeking Him (Hebrews 11:6), obeying Him (Deuteronomy 6:17), and hearkening to Him (Isaiah 55:2) [3]. This diligence extends to striving for perfection (Philippians 3:13-14), cultivating Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5), and guarding one's soul and heart (Deuteronomy 4:9, Proverbs 4:23) [3]. It also applies to "labours of love" (Hebrews 6:10-12) and maintaining a spotless life (2 Peter 3:14) [3].

Devotedness to God is a characteristic of those who follow God, with Christ again providing the model [2]. Jesus's devotedness is evident in his commitment to doing the Father's will (John 4:34) and completing His work (John 17:4) [2]. This devotedness is grounded in God's mercies, goodness, call, and the redemptive work of Christ [2]. It is expected to encompass one's spirit, body, members, and substance, and should be unreserved, abounding, and persevering [2].

The concept of God's character also includes attributes like love, truth, righteousness, and peace, which are seen as transforming the created order [12]. God consistently demonstrates these aspects of his character toward all creation [15]. Humans, bearing God's image, are endowed with dignity and charged with ruling, reflecting a divine purpose [11]. The godly are encouraged to imitate God by being generous, compassionate, and righteous, even to the extent of lending to the poor without interest [13].

Resignation, understood as submission to God's will, is another value exemplified by Christ [6]. Jesus's prayer in Gethsemane, "not my will, but yours be done" (Matthew 26:39-44), illustrates this profound submission [6]. This quality is commanded (Psalm 37:7) and should be exhibited in submission to God's sovereignty, even in the face of death, loss, chastisements, and bodily suffering [6]. The greatness and love of God serve as motives for such resignation [6].

The New Testament further articulates how God's character is to be reflected in daily life. Colossians 3:12 lists virtues such as "bowels of mercies, kindness, humble-mindedness, meekness, long-suffering" as qualities to be "put on" by those chosen by God [7]. Similarly, 1 John emphasizes that the children of God are known by the holiness of their lives, in contrast to the sinfulness of others [14]. This includes loving one another, as Christ laid down his life for humanity [14]. The "fruits of divine grace" presented in a life, particularly in avoiding wickedness and cleaving to God's worship, exemplify these values [8]. The quality of life God offers is characterized by His presence, joy, goodness, and protection [10].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  7. Colossians “Colossians 3:12 (YLT) — Put on, therefore, as choice ones of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humble-mindedness, meekness, long-suffering,”
  8. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 26:4: As exemplified by the fruits of divine grace, presented in his life, especially in his avoiding the wicked and his purposes of cleaving to God's worship.”
  9. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 33:15: 33:15 A godly life provides evidence that an individual truly knows God (see Col 3:5-17; Jas 2:14-18; 1 Pet 1:14-16; 1 Jn 1:5-6).”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 21:4: 21:4 God offers a rich quality of life (61:6-7; 91:14-16; 128:4-6) characterized by his presence (16:11; 23:6; 27:4; 36:9), joy (16:11), goodness (23:6; 34:14-15), and protection (41:2; 61:7).”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 8:5: 8:5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God: Humans bear God’s image; the Lord has endowed humans with dignity and charged them to rule (Gen 1:26-27). Hebrews 2:6-8 applies these words to Jesus Christ, the ideal human who fully realized God’s purposes.”
  12. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 85:10: 85:10-13 In the glorious world of renewal and salvation, all the qualities of God’s care—love, truth, righteousness, and peace—come together and transform the created order into something new (see Isa 32:15-20).”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 112:4: 112:4-5 The godly imitate God by being generous, compassionate, and righteous (51:1; 111:1-10; 2 Cor 9:9). They lend money to the poor without charging interest (Pss 15:5; 112:9; Exod 22:25).”
  14. 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 3 (introduction): The extraordinary love of God towards mankind, and the effects of it, Jo1 3:1-3. Sin is the transgression of the law, and Christ was manifested to take away our sins, Jo1 3:4-6. The children of God are known by the holiness of their lives, the children of the devil by the sinfulness of theirs, Jo1 3:7-10. We should love one another, for he that hateth his brother is a murderer; as Christ laid down his life for us, so we should lay down our lives for the brethren, Jo1 3:11-16. Charity is a fruit of brotherly love; our love should be active, not profession”
  15. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 145:8: 145:8-9 God consistently demonstrates his character toward all his creation (see 136:25).”
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