Lesson 5: Nine Christlike Virtues (Fruits)
Introduction to Christlike Virtues
Just as the nine deadly sins are like weeds in the garden of our soul, the nine Christlike virtues are like fruits that grow as we abide in God. These virtues reflect the character of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They are not something we can manufacture on our own but are the result of God’s transformative work in us.
During the pandemic, I began taking daily walks in the woods to pray. Over time, different Gospel stories about Jesus came to mind. As I imagined these stories, I began to notice the many attributes and virtues of Jesus—His love, His faithfulness, His humility, and more. I found myself breaking out into prayers of admiration and praise in the middle of the woods, captivated by who He is.
What struck me was how these Gospel stories seemed to showcase particular virtues of Jesus, and I could see obvious connections to the Enneagram. I felt inspired to let Christ’s virtues be the starting point of how we understand and utilize the Enneagram.
Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Contemplation is a long loving gaze at God. As we gaze upon Jesus, we can’t help but to be transformed.
We believe that focusing on Jesus and His virtues is even more powerful for transformation than focusing on our sin and what’s broken. When we set our eyes on Him, we love Him more, trust Him more, and gradually change from the inside out.
The Connection to the Fruits of the Spirit
The Christlike virtues are closely connected to the fruits of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These fruits grow in us as we abide in Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.
While the fruits of the Spirit describe the general character of a Spirit-filled life, the Christlike virtues provide a more specific framework for reflecting the character of Jesus. For example:
- Grace-filled righteousness reflects the fruit of goodness.
- Humble love reflects the fruit of love.
- Sober-minded joy reflects the fruit of joy.
Exploring the Nine Christlike Virtues
With that in mind, let’s turn our gaze to the Nine Christlike Virtues. Just as we explored the deadly sins, we’ll now walk through these virtues, allowing them to inspire and transform us as we contemplate the glory of Christ.
So let’s pray together:
Lord, open our hearts and minds so we can see Jesus as He really is. Amen.
1: Grace-Filled Righteousness
Jesus embodies a righteousness unlike any other—perfectly just, holy, and true. Yet, what sets Jesus apart is not just His righteousness, but how He pairs it with grace. Picture the Son of God, holy and blameless, sitting at a table with tax collectors, prostitutes, and lepers—those deemed unclean and unworthy by society. Instead of condemning them, He extends grace, offering them a place at His table and a chance to be transformed. Think of His patience with His disciples, who often misunderstood Him, or His compassion for the woman caught in adultery. Even on the cross, He prayed for His executioners: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ As we gaze upon Jesus, we too begin to reflect this remarkable balance—standing firm in truth while extending grace to others, just as He has done for us.
2: Humble Love
Love is the very essence of who Jesus is. He didn’t just talk about love—He lived it in the most sacrificial way imaginable. Picture Him kneeling before His disciples, washing their feet like a servant. This was the Son of God, the King of kings, performing the lowliest task to show them the depth of His love. He said, ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ (John 15:13). And He did just that, giving His life on the cross for us. But His love wasn’t just grand gestures; it was also in the small, everyday moments—healing the sick, comforting the brokenhearted, and welcoming children. What sets Jesus’ love apart is its humility. He didn’t serve to be noticed or appreciated; He loved because it’s who He is. As we gaze upon His humble love, we too learn to love others not for recognition, but from the overflow of His love in us.
3: God-Glorifying Fruitfulness
Jesus lived a life of extraordinary fruitfulness, but His focus was never on Himself. He said, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work’ (John 4:34). Every miracle, every teaching, every act of compassion was for the glory of His Father. Picture Him feeding the five thousand with just five loaves and two fish. Instead of taking credit, He looked to heaven, gave thanks, and trusted God to provide. Or consider His prayer in John 17: ‘I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do.’ Jesus’ fruitfulness wasn’t about achieving success or gaining approval; it was about faithfully stewarding what God had given Him. As we gaze upon His life, we’re invited to live with the same purpose—bearing fruit that glorifies God, not ourselves.
4: Passionate Empathy
Jesus’ empathy was profound and deeply felt. He didn’t just observe pain from a distance; He entered into it fully. Picture Him at the tomb of Lazarus. Even though He knew He was about to raise His friend from the dead, He wept with those who mourned. The people marveled, ‘See how He loved him!’ (John 11:36). Or think of His righteous anger in the temple, overturning tables and driving out those who exploited the poor. His passion wasn’t reckless; it was rooted in a deep love for justice and a desire to see God’s house restored as a place of prayer for all nations. Jesus’ empathy wasn’t superficial; it was a full-hearted engagement with the joys and sorrows of others. As we gaze upon His passionate empathy, we too are moved to feel deeply, love boldly, and act justly in a broken world.
5: Faith-filled Wisdom
Jesus’ wisdom was unlike any other. Picture Him teaching on the mountainside, His words cutting through confusion and revealing the heart of God. The crowds were amazed, saying, ‘No one ever spoke the way this man does’ (John 7:46). But what set Jesus’ wisdom apart was its expansive and generous nature. Think of the feeding of the five thousand. When the disciples saw five loaves and two fish, they said, ‘We don’t have enough!’ But Jesus, operating with kingdom mathematics, knew full well, ‘We have more than enough!’ He took the loaves and fish, gave thanks, and trusted God to provide. Not only was there enough, but there were basketfuls of leftovers. Jesus’ wisdom wasn’t about conserving resources or solving problems on His own; it was about trusting God’s provision and living generously. As we gaze upon His faith-filled wisdom, we too learn to see beyond our limitations and trust in God’s generous heart and limitless resources.
6: Courageous Obedience
Jesus’ faithfulness was unwavering, marked by a profound alertness to what was happening around Him. Picture Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, fully aware of the danger and the cost of obedience. He prayed, ‘Not my will, but Yours be done’ (Luke 22:42), His heart attuned to the Father’s plan even in the face of suffering. Throughout His ministry, Jesus was deeply attentive to what the Father was doing. He said, ‘The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing’ (John 5:19). Whether healing the sick, forgiving sins, or confronting injustice, He acted with courage and precision, always in step with the Father’s will. Jesus’ faithfulness wasn’t passive; it was active and intentional. As we gaze upon His courageous faithfulness, we too are invited to live alert—attentive to God’s work around us and courageous in following His lead, no matter the cost.
7: Sober-Minded Joy
Jesus’ joy is not the absence of sorrow but something far deeper and truer. It is a joy that can coexist with grief, and is rooted in His constant communion with the Father. Picture Him at the wedding in Cana, turning water into wine to bring celebration and delight. Or imagine Him laughing with children, His face radiant with warmth and affection. Yet, this same Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb and agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane. He didn’t need to escape pain but embraced the fullness of life—both its joys and its sorrows. His joy was anchored by His unshakable awareness of God’s presence. As Psalm 16:11 says, ‘In Your presence there is fullness of joy.’ This deep awareness of God’s presence frees us to celebrate without denial and to grieve without despair. As we gaze upon His sober-minded joy, we too learn to hold both sorrow and gladness in our hearts, trusting in the Father’s loving presence.
8: Merciful Power
Jesus’ power was unmatched—He could calm storms, heal diseases, cast out demons, even call down legions of angels. Yet, He chose not to use His power for dominance or control. Instead, He wielded it with mercy and humility, lifting up the powerless and showing compassion to the weak. Picture Him healing the ear of the soldier when the disciples thought it was time to fight, or protecting the woman caught in adultery from condemnation. He never grasped for power; but emptied Himself of it, taking the form of a helpless baby, a lowly servant, and a crucified lamb. Jesus’ power was never about force, but always in step with love. As Philippians 2:7-8 says, He ‘made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.’ As we gaze upon His merciful power, we too learn to use our strength to serve, protect, and uplift others, reflecting His heart in a broken world.
9: Peaceful Stability
Jesus’ peace was unshakable, even in the midst of chaos. Picture Him asleep in the boat during a storm, completely at rest while the disciples panicked. When they woke Him, He simply said, ‘Peace, be still,’ and the winds and waves obeyed (Mark 4:39). But His peace wasn’t just about calming external storms; it was an inner stability rooted in His confidence that God’s Shalom would prevail. He said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives’ (John 14:27). Jesus invites us into this otherworldly peace that surpasses understanding, saying, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). As we gaze upon His peaceful stability, we too can find rest for our souls, no matter what storms we face.
Contemplation and Praise
Nine Christlike virtues. As we’ve walked through them, what stands out to you? Which of these virtues stirs your heart or captures your imagination? Take a moment to reflect on this: Jesus embodied all nine of these virtues—perfectly and simultaneously. It’s astounding to think about. We might encounter people who reflect one or two of these qualities in remarkable ways, but Jesus lived all of them in perfect harmony. His grace-filled righteousness, His humble love, His courageous faithfulness—every virtue we’ve explored was fully alive in Him. As you gaze upon Jesus, allow His virtues to touch you. Imagine Him calming the storm, washing His disciples’ feet, or welcoming children with open arms. Let His goodness move you to awe and wonder.
This is a time to respond—with adoration and praise. Tell Him what you admire about Him. Thank Him for who He is. Let your heart be drawn to His beauty and grace.
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