Christian Graces: Moral Excellence
Peter delivers to us a set of seven virtues or graces that Christians are to add to their life of faith. He informs us that these traits will render us useful to the Lord, will enable us to bear much fruit and will guarantee us an entrance to the eternal kingdom.
The first of these graces is MORAL EXCELLENCE.
I. Defining "Moral Excellence".
The term rendered "virtue" in the KJV is the Greek arete. This word is not used but a few times in Scripture but it has a fascinating background.
In Classical times, it meant ’that quality given by the gods which enabled mere mortal men to perform heroic deeds.’ It came to mean the quality in a person’s life which made them stand-out as excellent. It is a term of moral heroism, moral courage, moral excellence.
We understand that morality is the defining of what is right and wrong. Arete is the courageous and, oft times, heroic decision to always do what is right. It is both to keep one’s self pure from wickedness and depravity AND to perform acts of righteousness.
If there was ever a time that was in need of moral heroes, this would be the time. Our generation is very much like those described in the book of Judges where it says that "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25)
As soon as morality is mentioned, there are those who object on the grounds that each person’s opinion is his or her own and equal to that of anyone else. For some, there can be no objective and commonly agreed upon moral norm. For such persons, morality is an illusion.
How many times have we heard that morality is a completely personal and subjective choice? This position is probably the most widespread and pernicious challenge to morality that our society has ever faced.
As Christians we recognize that there is more to life and human action than fleeting personal preference. Human existence is not a meaningless show of smoke and mirrors. Surely each one of us knows deep down at the very core of our being that there is such a thing as right and wrong. While individually we may not know the answer to every moral question, we are aware that there are answers - answers that oblige all of us.
There is a standard of morality for Mankind. It is that which has been demonstrated and delivered to us by God. Paul reminded young Timothy the importance of the Scriptures, in 2 Tim. 3:16-17, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for re-proof, for correction, for TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
Thus, the Christian has a moral code by which we make our decisions in life. The example and teachings of God revealed by Christ Jesus granted to us in the Holy Scriptures is to be the universal standard of morality. We all, one day, will be judged by that Code.
II. The Challenge to Exhibit Moral Excellence.
When we decided to become Christians, we sought the cleansing and purification from our sins promised by the Gospel. 1 Peter 1:22 says "you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls". Hebrews 9:14 states that the application of Christ’s blood did "cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
The great challenge and duty for Christians is to, once purified, keep ourselves (James 1:27) "unstained by the world."
Jesus says, in John 15:19, "You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world." Titus 2:13-14 expands on that thought, saying, "Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." Thus, 1 Peter 2:9, reminds us, "you are a chosen Race, a royal priesthood, a HOLY NATION, a People for God’s own possession."
The concept that we are God’s own possession makes me reflect on the fact that, living under the New Covenant, I am a Temple of God. 1 Cor. 3:16-17, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." 1 Cor. 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." And, 2 Cor. 6:16-7:1, "...ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
If we desire God’s presence in our lives, we must practice moral excellence - James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
We can only be useful to God in furthering His Cause as we practice moral excellence. This is made clear in an interesting analogy used by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:19-21, "Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ’The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ’Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.’ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work."
Jesus teaches the same in a few other spiritual analogies , in Matthew 5:13-14, 16, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men....You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." And, finally, in Philippians 2:15-16, we read, "prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life."
III. How We Can Cultivate Moral Excellence.
Moral Excellence is a trait of the Divine Nature rather than the Human Nature. It does not come natural. It must be sought for, cultivated, and developed. Assuming that we have the desire for it, what steps can we take to help make this a feature of our own character?
Let me suggest four Biblically-based pointers:
1. Renew Our Minds by Feeding on Things Righteous and Spiritual.
The Apostle Paul commands us, in Romans 12:2, "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Note that our spiritual transformation is directly tied to the renewing of our mind. Are lives, prior to becoming Christians, are conformed to this world because our minds have been programmed by the world - its views, values and code of conduct. To be different from the world we must re-program our mind.
Listen carefully to Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life." Here, heart is the same as mind. The wise man is saying that whatever is placed in the heart or mind manifests itself in our lives. It will shape our thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus restates this in Matthew 12:25, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."
Here is the test we must apply to everything we listen to, read, and watch - Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
2. Associate with Other Saints.
I cannot say it any better or more direct than Paul in 1 Cor. 15:33, "Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." Peer pressure is a wonderful thing when you have the right peers. We need the encouragement and demand for accountability from our brethren.
Psalm 119:63, "I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts."
3. Think Heavenward.
Think about our reward for a life of moral excellence - a resurrection to eternal life in Heaven. God is not displeased if this is our motivation for righteous living. Listen to 1 John 3:2-3, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
4. Seek Divine Assistance.
We have already commented on the fact that moral excellence is a trait of the Divine Nature rather than the Human Nature. We could never develop it without God’s help. Hebrews 4:14-16, "we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
One of the express purposes of having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our bodies is to help us become holy - Romans 8:12-14 - "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
And, lastly, Philippians 2:12-13; 1:6, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure...For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
May we henceforth dedicate ourselves to be moral heroes. Only by practicing moral excellence can we make a difference in Society and bring glory to God.
