“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, ‘Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.’”
(Luke 9:55)
If we seek to define the character of Christianity, there is abundant documentation in Scripture to support what may be called the Christian spirit, the distinguishing disposition of the heart of a Christian as Christian. This Christian spirit emanates from the spirit and temper of Jesus Christ and is evidenced by love, grace, meekness, peacefulness, forgiveness, and mercy.
So in the encounter recorded by Luke above, it shouldn’t surprise us that Christ rebuked James and John’s suggestion to call down judgment from heaven on the Samaritans when they did not embrace his message. You see, his disciples mistakenly believed they were about overthrowing the enemy and setting up his kingdom on earth. They were not aware that the purpose of Messiah’s first coming was ultimately “to seek and to save that which was lost.” Christ’s earthly ministry, therefore, supported that mission by extending mercy, longsuffering, forgiveness, grace, and the gospel message of salvation to all those he encountered.
The Holy Spirit of God indwells the child of God. And as a true disciple of Christ, when we live obedient to the Word and will of God, this character of Christ will be evidenced through our conversation and behavior. Christ referenced this spirit of Christianity in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:5, 7, 9), “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Paul highlights these same characteristic behaviors of God’s chosen ones in Colossians 3:12-13, “Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.” He further outlines these distinguishing qualities in 1 Corinthians 13:4, 5: “Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.” And again in Galatians 5:22-23, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”
Likewise, the Apostle James compares the spirit of Christ and Christianity against the spirit of this world so those of a contrary spirit may not deceive themselves by professing to be Christian when they are not, “If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not; and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,” (James 3:14–17).
Indeed, everything pertaining to holiness of heart belongs to the realm of true Christianity. But those particular graces exhibited by Christ specific to his work of redemption and bringing us into a spiritual union with God and one another demonstrate the spirit of Christianity so beautifully. As Jonathan Edwards rightly said, “these virtues are such as humility, meekness, love, forgiveness, and mercy. These things therefore especially belong to the character of Christians.”[1]
Contemplations:
- Lord, help me represent the character of Jesus Christ himself, the supreme head of the Christian church.
- Lord, you tell me in Matthew 11:29: “Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” These things are especially your character, so they are also to be especially my character.
- Lord, you are full of grace; and Christians all receive of your fullness, including such graces as a pure spirit and gentle temper. Those same qualities found in Christ’s character are also available to me.
- Christians are to be the followers of Christ; and they are so, as they are obedient to that call of Christ, Matt. 11:28, 29, “Come unto me—and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly of heart.”
- Lord, help me to follow you as I ought, Rev. 14:4, “These are they which follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”
Further References for Luke 9:55:
Romans 8:7; Col. 1:21; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 13:4
[1] Jonathan Edwards, A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996), 159–160.
