Christian character development is the work of the Holy Spirit. The New Birth is the starting point for its development, for unless there is first life there is no possibility of growth. As the development of a pearl is not instantaneous, so the development of Christian character requires time. Too often we expect more than is reasonable when we look for maturity in young Christians. Yet it must be said that as little pearls are pearl from their first layer outward, so the growing character of a Christian will also be pure.
Grace combines with discipline and time to produce a life of increasing radiance and deeper luster.
This is the process of a lifetime. Christian character development is not painted on, it is formed from deep within. But we may rejoice in the trouble and pain experienced in its development, whether our own or that of another. There is nothing more beautiful or rare than authentic Christian character, the product of that living process that begins with the New Birth and finds its culmination in Glory.