👑 The King is coming soon – Hope beyond the end
📅 January 29 – The Character of Christ in the Life of Believers
Monthly theme: The Blessed Hope – Living in Expectation
Annual theme 2026: “The King Is Coming Soon – Hope Beyond the End”
📖 Central Bible Text of the Day
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
— Colossians 1:27
🌅 Devotional for the Day
The greatest work God wants to accomplish in this final age
is not seen in heaven or in nature,
but in the hearts of His children.
His goal is that the character of Christ
be perfectly reflected in the life of every believer.
“For those God foreknew
He also predestined
to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
— Romans 8:29
Christ did not come only to forgive us,
but to transform us.
Salvation is not merely freedom from guilt,
but the restoration of the divine likeness
that humanity lost.
Ellen G. White wrote:
“The object of the Christian life is that Christ may be formed within.
When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people,
then He will come to claim them as His own.”
(Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69)
✨ The Character of Christ – The Image of God
The character of Christ reveals what God is truly like:
gentle, just, truthful, merciful, selfless.
“Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.”
— Matthew 11:29
He did not seek His own,
but lived to serve others.
True Christianity does not consist of words or forms,
but of a transformed heart
that walks in love and humility.
Ellen White describes:
“The character of Christ was a perfect blend
of righteousness and love.
Every trait of His character revealed the presence of God in human life.”
(The Desire of Ages, p. 629)
When we look to Him,
what we admire will take shape within us.
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory,
are being transformed into His image from glory to glory.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:18
🌿 How Christ Is Formed in Us
Transformation does not happen through effort,
but through communion with Jesus.
Daily time with Him in the Word, in prayer, and in service
shapes our character into His likeness.
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.”
— John 15:4
Ellen White explains:
“Continual connection with Christ
results in a progressive transformation.
The more we behold Him, the more we become like Him.”
(Steps to Christ, p. 68)
The Holy Spirit is the divine sculptor
who shapes the heart
by removing pride, selfishness, and hardness
and planting the gentleness of Christ within us.
🕊️ The Character of Christ in the Time of the End
In the last days, the character of Christ in the lives of His children
will be the decisive testimony to the world.
While darkness covers the earth,
God’s children will reflect the light of His glory.
“For the earth will be filled
with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.”
— Habakkuk 2:14
Ellen White wrote:
“Christ is waiting with longing desire
for the manifestation of Himself in His church.
When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people,
then He will come to claim them as His own.”
(Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69)
The seal of God will be placed only on those
who have become like Christ in character and attitude
(Revelation 7:3).
Therefore, character development is the most important work of this time.
🌄 Practical Discipleship
The character of Christ is revealed in small things—
in patience, kindness, honesty, and faithfulness.
A smile, a word of forgiveness,
a quiet prayer in times of trial—
this is how Christ lives in us.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine,
you did for Me.”
— Matthew 25:40
When Christ dwells within us,
our lives become a living testimony of His love.
Ellen White wrote:
“The strongest argument in favor of the gospel
is a loving and lovable Christian.
Such a character has more power than many sermons.”
(The Acts of the Apostles, p. 510)
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus,
I thank You that You are not only my Savior,
but also my example.
Form my heart according to Your will.
Remove pride and selfishness from me,
and plant within me Your gentleness, Your patience, Your love.
Let my life be a reflection of Your character,
so that others may recognize You in me.
Amen.
💭 Thought for the Day
“The highest goal of redemption is not merely to get us into heaven,
but to bring heaven into our hearts—
Christ in us, the hope of glory.”
— Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 225
💡 Personal Application
-
Read Romans 8:29–39 and 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Ask yourself: In which areas does God still want to shape my character? -
Pray: “Lord, imprint Your image upon my heart.”
-
Practice:
Today, consciously choose to respond to an offense with love—
that is the language of heaven.
🌺 Closing Verse
“Whoever claims to live in Him
must live as Jesus did.”
— 1 John 2:6
