that can be gained only by fellowship with God and study of His Word (see Eph. 1:17, Eph. 4:13, 1 Tim. 2:4).

Discernment. This is explained by Paul as being able to “approve what is excellent” (distinguishing it from what is morally harmful) “and so be pure and blameless” (Phil. 1:10, ESV).

Being sincere. The word in Greek means “judged by the sunlight” and refers to an untainted purity of action: “Everything that Christians do should be as transparent as the sunlight.”—Ellen G. White, Reflecting Christ, p. 71.

Not causing offense. This means not being a stumbling block, not saying or doing anything that would make it more difficult for a person to believe.

Righteousness through Christ. Paul dwells at length on this in the epistles of Romans and Galatians and will expand on it also in Philippians 3. We have no righteousness of our own but only what we receive through Christ.