Habits Of Holiness: Goodness Series

SEVEN HOLY HABITS: GOODNESS

Introduction

In 1898, A psychologist named Edward Thorndike conducted an experiment to study the behavior of animals - he chose cats. He would place each cat inside a device known as a puzzle box. The box was designed so that the cat could escape through a door by some simple act - pulling at a cord, pressing a lever, stepping on a platform.

One box contained a lever, that, when pressed, would open a door on the side of the box. Once open, the cat could dart out and run to a bowl of food. As you can imagine, most cats wanted to escape as soon as they were placed inside the box. They would poke their nose into the corners, stick their paws through openings, claw at loose objects. Eventually they would press the magic lever, the door would open and they would escape. Thorndike tracked the behavior of the cats. Gradually, each cat learned to associate the action of pressing the lever with the

reward of escape and food. After 20 or 30 trials, the behavior was automatic and the cat could escape within a few seconds. With practice, each cat began to make fewer errors and their actions became quicker and more automatic. Rather than repeat the same mistakes, the cat began to cut straight to the solution. His work provides a starting point for discussing how habits form in our own lives.

James Clear’s book Atomic Habits is an excellent guide to growing awareness of the presence of habits in our lives and the ways to grow the habits we most want to have. He defines habit as “a behavior that has been repeated enough times to become automatic.”

For the next few weeks we want to focus on some Holy Habits - behaviors that we should seek to repeat often enough that they become automatic.

1. PETER’S HABITS OF HOLINESS (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Peter outlines seven habits of holiness that he urges us to make every effort to make a part of our lives.

2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV  “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.”

These are essential characteristics of holiness, not just good habits we ought to think about growing. Why?

-Progressive Growth! They lead us in progression - They seem to be listed in a purposeful order, as each quality builds up on the qualities before it.

-Progressive Faith! They describe the life built upon faith. The beginning place is faith - we believe what Jesus says is true and we commit ourselves to live by his principles.

-Progressive Purpose! They reflect an effort! Peter instructs us to supply our faith with these holy habits. Pursuing growth in holiness requires an investment of our time, resources, and energy. It must not be approached casually…One does not drift into greater measures of Christlikeness…” (Harmon)

1. GOODNESS DEFINED

Goodness is probably the most difficult to define adequately. It is a word that is rarely used in the New Testament. Other translations: Virtue, excellence, resolution, Christian energy, Moral Excellence.

Three areas of emphasis when it comes to Goodness.

-Choosing to do the right thing no matter what. Living a life that is worthy of praise. Virtue is closely linked to that which is honorable. Doing the right thing regardless of the outcome. Goodness is not always easy.

-Having a steady, strong, dependable faith. Warden: “The word suggests steadiness, dependability, and consistency of character. It follows naturally after the believer has placed his faith in God.”

Energetically pursuing moral excellence in all relationships. Energetic moral excellence… a positive, vigorous

pursuit of what is morally right and helpful in all relationships. 

Goodness relates to choices, consistency, and purpose.

2. HOW TO ADD GOODNESS TO YOUR FAITH

Choose Jesus as your example in all of life. Always Seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus “…went about continually doing good." Not just in what he did but also what he taught.

Choose God’s goodness as a purpose for your life. 2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The goodness we possess was given to us by Jesus Christ and is not shifting along with whatever catches our attention for the day. Do we trust that God’s will and instruction is really best for our lives?

Be eager to add goodness. Titus 2:13b, 14 "Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” We desire to do good because of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us.