To Your Faith…Add Goodness

Who are you becoming? Do you like it?

2 Peter 1:5–8 NIV

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you’ve been part of the Christian life for a while you’ve probably seen lots of new believers. I love their energy and enthusiasm. They are so fresh in their faith that everything seems to revolve around Jesus. I’ve helped them buy their first bible, taught them the basics of following Christ, and how to understand their new life. One of the surprising things that I don’t always have to teach is how to turn from sin. I’m amazed at some of the stories of people who miraculously and nearly instantly lose their desire for some of their former sins. Those sins don’t seem to have the same allure that they once had. Goodness comes naturally to them in a surprising way.

Goodness (or Virtue) is a universal quality. I happened across this phrase a few weeks back and saved it for today’

Japanese word for work...

the Japanese word shokunin is defined by both Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries as ‘craftsman’ or ‘artisan’, but such a literal description does not fully express the deeper meaning…the shokunin has a social obligation to work his/her best for the general welfare of the people.

In sharp contrast, the rioters who flooded the halls of congress on Wednesday acted on values that elevated their own agenda rather than that of the whole. As a follower of Christ, I denounce their actions in the strongest way.

That disgraceful scene was not brought about nor led by the Holy Spirit, who produces fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Those events did not adorn the Gospel. Quite the contrary, the watching world saw Christians as part of the riot. Certainly there were a mixture of people there. There were anarchists and white supremacists, and people who just got carried along with the crowd. But there were those who carried the Christian flag and banners that spoke of Christ.

I wonder if this group has anything in common with the crowd on what we call Palm Sunday? They are seeking to bring in the kingdom of God in political terms.

Listen, I am an American. But first and foremost, I am a citizen of the kingdom of God, who now reigns in the hearts of his followers. One day, he will come in victory over all forms of darkness. But that day was not Wednesday.

We advance the kingdom of God when we take on God’s values and display the fruit of the Spirit.

BI: Our Values determine our Actions.

1. Choose the Right Source of Goodness

a general quality of excellence applied to a variety of people or things. It was highly contextualized.

excellent character

virtue

courage

manliness

cleverness

reason

The inward virtues are seen by their deeds as noble and excellent (praise worthy)

2 Peter 1:5–8 NIV

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

goodness: (sense)The quality of moral excellence; especially as a quality that is not stagnant, but actively working itself out.

goodness: [kindness] (sense) Goodness especially characterized by being warmhearted, considerate, humane, and sympathetic.

Goodness — resisting evil, and choosing to do good.

Transition: where does goodness come from?

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Plato’s Four Virtues:

sophia = wisdom

andreaia = courage

sophrosyne = prudence

dikaiosyne = justice

Note: 1,000 years later Thomas Aquinas, a brilliant Christian scholar added Faith, Hope, and Love.

Jewish Virtues in the Time of Christ

And if any one loves righteousness, her labors are virtues; for she teaches self-control and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more profitable for men than these.

(the Wisdom of Solomon)

Our Goodness is Grounded in God’s goodness

1 and 2 Peter were written during a time of great hardship on the new believers. Peter himself would soon be martyred because of his faith. In the midst of this, certain people rose up with a false Gospel that led many astray. With pressure from the outside and the inside, Peter writes words of encouragement to hang on to the Faith.

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2 Peter 1:3 NIV

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Matthew 5:16 NIV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

2. Follow the path of Goodness

God has placed his values inside you. Following Jesus means taking on his values and choosing them over your own. Good deeds follow the values we choose.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

You are God’s masterpiece, his handiwork, his blue ribbon and gold medal. You are his pulitzer and nobel prizes, his academy award, and the lombardi trophy, the stanley cup, his medal of honor, and eagle scout badge. You have the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. A consumer reports “Best Buy” classification. You have a 5-star crash rating by the NTSB and the JD Power award for engineering excellence. In short, you are the finest work of the greatest creator in the universe.

Let’s Make it Real

Family:

Principle: I will love my spouse as Christ loved the Church.

Action: I will take on my share of household responsibilities without reminding or complaining.

Principle: I will train my children to love the Lord.

Action:I will add a Christian component to my home school curriculum.

Principle: I will honor my Father and Mother.

Action: I will call my parents weekly for 30 minutes to check in on them and share my life.

Work:

Principle: I will do my work with excellence as if I were working for Jesus.

Action: I will arrange my home and schedule so that I can have the best home office experience.

Friend:

Principle: I will spend my life in healthy relationships with my close friends.

Action: I will call or text each of my close friends weekly and will cultivate new friendships by reaching out to others within my contacts.

Neighbor:

Principle: I will love my neighbor as myself.

Action: I will support a local business each week above my normal activities.

Check out the Mission monthly way to connect.

Church:

Principle: I will faithfully support my local church with my time, treasure, and talent.

Action: I will pray daily for our pastors, leaders, volunteers, and our next pastor.

We are in a time when church is not an event to attend, but a community in which to live.