Building character is a deliberate and effortful process, far removed from the notion of instant transformation or magic. God has chosen not to create character by fiat, as instantaneous character would merely be a programmed response, lacking the essence of true choice. Instead, He develops character in His children through a lifelong process of sanctification, a period of growth in producing spiritual fruit. This process requires time and dedication, as real righteous character, the fruit of God's Spirit, is produced through sustained effort and experience. In contrast to fictional tales where magic serves as a skill or weapon, often devoid of moral growth, the journey of building character involves genuine transformation. Unlike stories where heroes merely grow in power without deepening in virtue, our spiritual growth demands that we rid ourselves of sin and put on righteousness. This is not a superficial change but a profound reshaping of our very nature, aligning us more closely with the image of Christ. The process of character development is dynamic, requiring us to continue, grow, and strengthen in God's favor. We must actively participate by doing what pleases Him, maintaining our favorable status through obedience and effort. This is not a static condition but one that can ebb or flow, demanding exertion akin to physical strengthening. Our cooperation with God is essential, as we cannot achieve this growth alone; it is through His overwhelming grace that our efforts bear fruit. God expects us to produce fruit that reflects the righteousness of the Word sown within us, a principle of like begetting like. This fruit is not merely hoped for but required, as God demands results from His vineyard. Christ, as our Advocate, works tirelessly to provide the conditions and motivations for growth, pruning and nurturing us to ensure productivity. Our role is to respond to His ministrations by bearing much fruit, glorifying God through abundant results that honor His efforts. The fruit we are called to produce leads to holiness, encompassing traits such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes of God require immense effort to build and practice, far beyond any instant solution. Yet, with God's grace and help, we are equipped to strive toward reproducing these qualities in ourselves. Our commission is to move forward, bearing enduring fruit that lasts for eternity, reflecting the character image of the Word of God through hard work and cooperation with Him.

Spiritual growth is a fundamental principle of godly, Christian living. Once sin is removed from a person's life, it must be replaced with a life of righteousness, or sin will return with greater force. Nature abhors a vacuum, and so does our spiritual life; if we are not growing, we are receding, and sin will eventually overtake past spiritual progress. Our goal is to develop righteous, holy, spiritual character, mirroring the character of Jesus Christ, and growth in righteousness leads us to that point. Imagine if our spiritual growth were visible like the growth rings of a tree. Would there be wide rings from early, fervent growth, followed by narrow ones in recent years? Or would there be a mix of wide and narrow rings, reflecting inconsistent progress? Perhaps steady, even rings would show consistent growth, or ideally, rings that widen each year, indicating increasing spiritual maturity. The Days of Unleavened Bread serve as a yearly reminder of the dual principle of putting away sin and growing in righteousness. Both actions are equally important and must be pursued to fulfill God's command. We are to abstain from leavened bread and consume unleavened bread, symbolizing the need to ingest God's law and instructions into our lives. This process involves not just avoiding corruption but actively feeding our hearts with the pure Word of God, the unleavened bread of sincerity, purity, and truth. God's law has both negative and positive aspects. It defines sin, showing what to avoid, and provides a guide for righteous living, offering a standard to emulate. We must destroy what is evil while practicing what is good to produce righteousness. This dynamic of negative and positive is evident throughout God's Word, urging us to channel our energies into growth-oriented, wholesome activities that leave little room for sin. Under the New Covenant, God's laws are not merely external but are etched into our minds and hearts by His Spirit. This internalization transforms them into our character, making them ours, not just God's. We come to know God by living His way of life, applying His laws, and walking in His shoes. The commandments are a codification of His character, revealing what He allows and forbids, and by practicing them, we grow to understand His holiness, love, and humility. Growth in righteousness is about putting on Jesus Christ, maturing in all areas to reflect Him who is the Head. God provides ministers to equip and edify us toward spiritual maturity, aiming for the fullness of Christ's character. This is a tall order, requiring us to grow from our lowly beginnings to become wise, strong, and glorious, just like His perfect Firstborn Son. He expects prodigious growth, transforming us through a process that mirrors Christ's own journey. Christian growth, as illustrated in parables, is a natural process that occurs in stages—from novice to journeyman to veteran—each requiring time and patience. We cooperate with God by studying, praying, meditating, fasting, and serving, though the intricate workings of His Spirit in us remain beyond our understanding. God works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure growth, and if we align with Him, progress is inevitable. However, growth is often painful, involving pruning to bear more fruit, yet God promises to supply whatever we need to produce good fruit if we ask. Ultimately, growing in righteousness means imitating Christ and putting on His mind and character. It is a lifelong cooperative effort with God, who completes the work He began in us, transforming us to reflect His glory and bear spiritual fruit that magnifies Him before the world.

Spiritual growth is a process, much like the growth of a seed into a mature, fruit-bearing plant. It occurs invisibly and mysteriously, guided by God, who works behind the scenes to bring forth maturity. Just as a sower scatters seed and trusts the process without fully understanding it, so must individuals rely on God's provision of resources and timing to foster growth. God desires not just the initial sprout, but the full head of grain, representing spiritual maturity and ripened fruit. This development requires effort from the individual as well. While God provides the environment, energy, and gifts necessary for growth, there must be a response to these provisions. Like a plant that takes in nutrients to grow, individuals must actively use what God supplies, putting forth roots and shoots to mature. Without this response, there is no progress, and stagnation or decay can set in. God labors to promote growth, aiming for spiritual maturity and the production of righteous fruit, but the individual must engage in this process. Spiritual maturity involves applying God's Word in daily life, making it habitual to the point of instinctively doing what is right. It is about building righteous character, allowing God's ways to be inscribed on the heart so that right actions become automatic. A maturing individual exercises faculties of judgment and discernment through consistent practice of God's principles, sharpening the ability to distinguish between godly and ungodly choices. This ongoing practice enables deeper understanding and further growth, building upon each lesson learned. Ultimately, spiritual maturity is defined as imitating Christ and conforming perfectly to the will of God. It is reflected in always doing God's will, as Christ did, giving every thought, word, and deed over to pleasing the Father. This complete dedication to following Christ's example marks the pinnacle of spiritual maturity, achieved through persistent application of God's teachings and a lifelong commitment to His ways.

Building character during the Millennium will not happen instantly or by divine decree. God does not change His methods, as He consistently works through a process of instruction and experience over time to develop godly character in His children. Just as we grow through years of pain, suffering, and spiritual projects to reach maturity, so too will the people of the Millennium. They will face the same process, though with certain advantages, such as the direct presence of God as King of kings and the absence of satan's influence. However, they will still contend with their human nature and the pulls of the flesh, requiring effort and time to overcome. The work of rebuilding the earth from devastation will serve as a primary means of character development. This massive, planet-wide renewal project will involve rebuilding cities, refashioning society in God's image, and preparing for future multitudes. Through these long-term efforts, such as planting vineyards, making gardens, and turning weapons into plowshares, people will learn to cooperate rather than compete, prioritize God above their work, share resources, and live in harmony. These physical tasks will be intertwined with spiritual growth, shaping them into trees of righteousness as they labor. Israel, in particular, will take on a significant role in this character-building process. Their work of rebuilding old ruins and repairing desolations will parallel their spiritual transformation. As they engage in these tasks, they will grow in righteousness, becoming a shining example to the Gentiles. Their efforts, rooted in their covenant with God and the blessings they receive, will draw others to emulate their way of life. Through this work, Israel will fulfill their original calling as a nation of priests, teaching and evangelizing, which will further develop their character and spread God's truth. The process of building character will extend over generations, as rebuilding and preparation for future periods, like the Great White Throne Judgment, will occupy much of the thousand years. God's consistent approach ensures that character is forged through time and effort, not instantaneous change, even in a renewed world.

Building character as a Christian requires active effort and personal responsibility, not a passive reliance on God to do everything for us. We must resist the deceptive teaching that suggests we should simply surrender our struggles and let God fight our battles without any action on our part. Instead, we are called to engage in the fight against satan, the world, and our own human nature, as exhorted by the apostle Paul and other biblical writers. We are to put on the whole armor of God, a clear command to take action and equip ourselves for spiritual warfare. This armor, including the girdle of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit, represents the tools we must actively use to stand firm and overcome. Paul's instructions emphasize that we have much to do as individuals. We are to resist the devil, be vigilant, and put to death the deeds of the body with God's help, not sit back and expect Him to do it all. His exhortations, filled with military metaphors like standing, wrestling, and fighting, urge us to endure hardship as soldiers in the army of the living God. We are not to hand over our battles but to participate actively, pressing toward the goal with all our might, as Paul himself did, disciplining his body and fighting the good fight of faith. Building character involves a lifelong struggle and growth process, supported by the strength and power of God's might. We must strengthen our spiritual foundation before launching any offensive, ensuring we stand firm against satan's wiles through constant prayer and a close relationship with God. Our efforts in overcoming personal challenges and developing godly character prepare us for His Kingdom, reflecting a defensive posture rooted in self-government and the love of God. We are to fight continually, knowing that while God provides the strength and armor, it is our responsibility to wield them effectively in this great battle.