Striving for Excellence
Growing in the Knowledge of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
We’ve been talking about “growing in the knowledge of Jesus” and how it requires developing a Christ-like character involving eight graces in conjunction with each other. We’ve been looking at
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We’ve learned that scripture admonishes that we must allow all diligence to abound in these eight graces -
2Pe 1:5,8
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We saw that this “spiritual construction project” begins with “faith”. For without faith it is impossible to please God.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
For faith is the catalyst making it possible to grow.
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
But developing a Christ-like character does not occur by “faith only”. To faith we must add “virtue”.
The word “add” (epikoregeo) indicates that these two must work together — that one builds upon the other.
So today in order to continue our growth in the knowledge of Jesus, we add to the foundation of faith, the quality of “virtue”.
The Definition of Virtue
The Definition of Virtue
Rarely used in the New Testament
Rarely used in the New Testament
Paul uses it once:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Peter uses it four times:
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
Different Bible translations and commentaries:
a. "goodness" (NIV)
b. "moral excellence" (NASB)
a. "excellence" (Wycliffe)
b. "manly excellence" (JFB)
c. "courage, fortitude, vigor, energy" (Clarke, Barnes)
The Greek
The Greek
ἀρετήν Pronounced {aretē}
“Excellence of character”
The Greeks used the word to describe “any mental excellence or moral quality or physical power” (Robertson) also to represent a concept of “excellence” in all phases of life, to which they strove to attain whether mental, moral or physical.
My Understanding
My Understanding
It has to do with how our behavior matches up to our faith. It obviously has the connotation of excellence, striving for moral perfection, but it goes far beyond that. It goes into how you comport yourself on a daily basis. It goes to your work ethic, how you treat your neighbor, how diligent you are about just about any task that you take on. So how does that connect to faith? Well, let’s go back to the idea of faith. Faith is based on a belief that God is...
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
…and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. That means we must add the quality of virtue. Since we know that God is and He is the one who rewards us, and we know that he is the one who enables us to do our things, what Peter is asking us to do is to activate our faith (that confidence in God) and to strive toward that excellence of character - that excellence that is provided for by the one who rewards those who seek Him.
Virtue then is the quality of striving for excellence not only in our faith relationship with God, but in all that we do. In our relationships toward each other, in the way we do our jobs, in the way we manage our finances, in the way we raise our children - in everything!
And here’s the thing. Peter says that such a quality is necessary to grow in the knowledge of Jesus and this should be more than evident on its face.
The Demand of Virtue
The Demand of Virtue
Spiritual Life Demands Virtue
Spiritual Life Demands Virtue
Without virtue, faith soon dies.
Without virtue, faith soon dies.
What do I mean by that. Well let’s consider what James says about faith, does anyone remember what he says? Right faith without works is dead. When faith is joined by virtue as we now understand it (striving for excellence in all we do), our faith goes from being an ordinary static faith to an extraordinary, dynamic faith. But how? Simple, if you are striving for excellence in everything works will come as a result.
Without virtue, we cannot grow
Without virtue, we cannot grow
Prior, we learned that growing in the knowledge of Jesus requires “giving all diligence”.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
He then goes on to charge us that we abound in these graces.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When faith is joined by virtue (striving for excellence) diligence is a given. Abounding in these graces will be the goal of our faith!
Discipleship Demands Virtue
Discipleship Demands Virtue
Jesus Himself His disciples to strive for excellence.
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
In fact, He placed such a high premium on it that He died to make it possible!
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
He established five-fold ministry in His church to ensure excellence.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
Paul considered excellence in disciples the objective of his ministry.
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
In reading his letter to the Corinthians this becomes glaringly evident.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
He told Timothy that this was the design of Scripture -
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
How can we hope to grow as disciples, to truly come to know our Savior and Lord, unless we add to our faith the quality of virtue? Without a strong desire for excellence, especially in our relationship with Jesus, our faith will be weak and possibly die altogether!
So then, I hope I’ve made a strong enough case to whet your appetite. Are you ready to learn how to develop virtue?
The Development of Virtue
The Development of Virtue
The Word is Key!
The Word is Key!
As we just learned, Paul posits that the design of scripture is the development of virtue.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
So then we should give ourselves to reading and meditating upon it, and reap its promises of developing virtue. Here are just a few:
We shall be fruitful and well grounded.
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
We shall grow in wisdom and understanding.
Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
In my favorite passage of scripture, Paul admonishes the Philippians to meditate on virtuous things, I can think of nothing more virtuous than the Word of God.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Paul’s Example
Paul’s Example
Can I tell you a secret? I used to be a little put off by Paul, I mean who says this?
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
It sounds kind of boastful to me! I always thought, shouldn’t we be following the example of Christ? Then it dawned on me what He was saying and I had a sudden deep respect for him. You see, Jesus had been taken up into heaven, and the people needed an example of the type of lifestyle they were to emulate. To have the confidence to know that you are doing such a great job at following Jesus, and then to hold yourself out as an example takes a great deal of courage. Now consider this, so many letters were written by so many during that time, but the Providence of God only granted certain letters the lofty weight of being considered scripture. And these letters where Paul holds himself out as an example of virtue made the cut, what does that tell you about Paul?
He described and displayed his own striving for excellence and held it out as an example to be emulated.
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
He wasn’t being boastful at all, but virtue is not about “having arrived”, it’s about striving, it’s about “pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!”
Never consider yourself as having reached it lest you remain satisfied with the spiritual condition you are in. We must always be willing to admit that there will always be room for growth. Forget what lies behind - your failures, your trials, and even your successes. Don’t rest on your past accomplishments, nor allow past mistakes to prevent you from moving forward in Jesus. Instead, press ahead. Look ahead with optimism, keep your eye on the prize!
Many have heard the story of Winston Churchill who, several years after World War II, was asked to be the keynote speaker at a preparatory school. It had been quite a while since he had given a speech of any kind. Age had robbed him of much of his strength and agility, so his movement to the podium was painfully slow.
He stood, pausing a few moments to take stock of the young audience. His eyes still held the fire of the man who led England through one of her darkest hours. All attention was focused on this great man. What words of wisdom, what stirring oratory, what passion would he convey to the young people gathered on this momentous occasion? With a strong voice Mr. Churchill spoke. “Never give up! Never give up! Never give up!” And, with that, he turned and made his way back to his seat.
Be like the endurance runner described in Hebrews.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Develop this mindset and we will have developed the "arete" (virtue) our faith needs to grow in the knowledge of Jesus.
Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
So what do we do with it when we’ve cultivated it?
The Demonstration of Virtue
The Demonstration of Virtue
Well the truth is, you don’t have to do much. If we have cultivated it, it will become evident.
In Our Personal Lives
In Our Personal Lives
Does our daily walk with God suggest we are striving for excellence? Are we seeking to excel in our relationship with God? By reading His Word daily (listening to Him)? By praying without ceasing ? Are we seeking to excel in our service to God? Are we determining and developing our talents? And then are we using those abilities in service to God and others? We are if have added virtue to our personal walk of faith, If we’ve pursued virtue and cultivated it, our progress will be evident to others.
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
In Our “Church” Life
In Our “Church” Life
Does our involvement in the activities of the church suggest we are striving for excellence? Do we utilize opportunities to increase our faith? By attending any teaching opportunity that we have? By preparing for them, and being an active listener? Do we exercise opportunities to encourage others?
If we have added virtue to our public walk of faith, we will be an example worthy of others to emulate -
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
It is not just our job to grow and enjoy our relationship with Jesus, it is our responsibility to be examples to the world.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Christian who adds virtue to their faith does not have a static, faith. He will not be content with his current level of faith and service. Instead, like Paul, they will desire to press on for they are striving for excellence!
When a Christian adds virtue to their faith, they are more likely to add other qualities to their faith such as knowledge, self-control, etc.
Why? Because they are striving for excellence!
To grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, then, let us seek to add to our faith the quality of virtue!
