Tag Archives: Christianity

Discipline, Self-Control, and Moral Excellence

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And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8

In the verses preceding those above, Peter tells us that “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” are given to us by Jesus. Because of all that is ours in Christ (salvation), Peter tells us to do the following:

Giving all diligence, add to your faith – this is striving with maximum effort, a result of self-discipline, to enhance your belief in the word of God (faith) with the following 7 excellent qualities:

  • Virtue is moral excellence.  The characteristic in your life that allows you to stand out as a godly individual. The model of moral excellence is Christ, and virtue is a product of sanctification.
  • Knowledge is spiritual discernment, insight, and understanding of the truth in the word of God. This is required to pursue moral excellence.
  • Temperance is self-control. This is to not allow the desires of the flesh to direct your thoughts and actions, the opposite of lustful indulgence. Temperance is essential to Christian living, otherwise, we are no different than the Pagans.
  • Patience is perseverance and endurance under temptation without succumbing. This patience never gives in to difficulty or sin.
  • Godliness is reverence for God.  This is a practical awareness of God in every area of life. Godliness is at the heart of moral excellence.
  • Brotherly Kindness is loving your neighbor. This is the second most important commandment!
  • Charity is love, which is the greatest virtue and the most important commandment! Love of God results in love for our brother, and our attainment of the other six qualities.

If these things are evident in your life, then you will be an effective witness to the truth and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God, but becoming a mature, exemplary disciple of Jesus requires effort.

Joyous Gratitude

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Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We rejoice because of what we know to be true about God and his plan for us. We rejoice because everything is under his control, and he causes all things to work together for our good Read Romans 8:28 We rejoice because by his grace we have been saved from condemnation and made heirs to his kingdom. We rejoice for blessings we do not deserve and penalties we will not pay.

We are grateful for all these things! No matter our circumstance, we give thanks to God because our salvation is eternal, while the trials of this life are temporal. We are grateful for the ridiculous volume of blessings that have been showered down upon us.  We are grateful that we were drawn to believe. We are grateful because every good thing in our life has come from him.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

A hallmark of the godly person is joy and gratitude! Being joyfully grateful is a wonderful and effective witness to the love of God and clear evidence of a transformed life.

Awake and Alert

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Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 

I like the New American Standard translation . . . Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. All that you do must be done in love. There is a lot packed in this short verse about competence in living a consequential Christian life.

  • Watch ye – to be alert, awake, and to know what is going on. Be aware of what the adversary is doing and what is going on in your life. Do not exist in a spiritual stupor where you fall prey to Satan, temptation, apathy, or false doctrine.
  • Stand fast in the faith – to be firm in what you believe and what you know to be true. Do not let human wisdom infect and twist your faith. The lies and garbage of the world are incompatible with the revelation of God. 
  • Quit you like men – to act like men. That is to be mature and courageous. Do not be childish in your understanding of the word.   
  • Be strong – be strengthened by the lord and the power of his might. Resist temptation and be resolute in seeking and following the will of God.
  • Let all your things be done with charity – Do all this with an attitude of love – a love that is not an emotion but self-sacrificing service to the one in need. We should complement a staunch defense of the faith with brotherly love.

Being spiritually alert, steadfast, mature, and strong in love will make you what God wants you to be. Living by these principles results in a powerful, transformed life. Those who remain spiritually stunted, oblivious to the pursuit of the faith, are at great risk of being devoured by our adversary.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 

An Excellent Attitude

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Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:3

While Daniel was a captive, he distinguished himself by attitude and unwavering devotion to the will of God. Known as a man with an “excellent spirit,” he was preferred above all the others. An excellent spirit is an excellent attitude. Our attitude is how we respond to the circumstances in life, and excellence is a positive attitude of service, contentment, and gratitude no matter the situation. It is consistent optimism and the desire to do well that endears us to others, especially to those who look to us for performance. Those with an excellent attitude are often rewarded with promotion and responsibility, just as Daniel was.

To a large extent, we can manage our attitudes, choosing to be optimistic, happy, and content. Our attitudes are also influenced by what we put in our heads and the kind of people we associate with. If we spend time in dark places and with negative, destructive people, then our attitudes will turn dark and destructive as well. An excellent attitude is both the cause and the result of the right behavior. We do the right thing because of a good attitude and doing the right thing lifts us up. To an amazing degree, our attitude determines our destiny. God approves a positive, humble attitude and those winsome souls go much farther in life than those with a negative, pessimistic, or otherwise bad attitude.  It is obvious that an excellent spirit is a testimony to the goodness of God, and a powerful witness to the world.

Fruit of the Spirit

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22

The elements of Christian character presented in this section (love of God, love of your neighbor, humility, etc.) are enabled in us by the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us we are to walk (live) by the Spirit, which is to yield control of our lives to him. This is obedience to the commands and will of God. This is not easy as desires of the flesh are ever-present and contrary to the Holy Spirit. But as you strive to live in the spirit, you will develop virtuous attitudes or “fruit.” These attitudes will dramatically impact your behavior and actions, resulting in a blessed life and a powerful witness for God. These winsome fruits will increase as you are sanctified throughout your life by the Holy Spirit.

  • Love – self-sacrificing affection for others.
  • Joy – deep-seated gladness regardless of circumstances.
  • Peace – inner quietness and repose regardless of circumstances. Tranquility in the soul; calm confidence that we enjoy.
  • Longsuffering (patience) – forbearance even under provocation, being slow to anger. This is often patience for a time that is longer than you want it to be.
  • Gentleness (kindness) – benevolence and graciousness go hand in hand with patience.
  • Goodness – constructive action, reaching out to others.
  • Faith (faithfulness) –reliability, trustworthiness, loyalty, and fidelity to your word. Integrity.
  • Meekness (humility) – not aggressive, acquiescence to authority and consideration of others, submissive to the will and word of God.
  • Temperance (self-control) – ability to master oneself.

The poof of a genuine Christian is the habitual manifestation of the fruit of the spirit in their lives.  Striving to embody these elements of Christian character and to bear the fruit of the spirit is what makes us a light to the world, demonstrating a life transformed for and by Christ. How awful is it to learn that you are not sufficiently transformed in how you live for anyone to accept that you really believe what you say about faith in God?

Ye shall know them by their fruits. . . Matthew 7:16

Perseverance

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Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Hebrews 3:14

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22

Perseverance (endurance, steadfastness) speaks to one’s diligence in continuing in the faith until the end. To continue in the faith is persistent obedience to God (clear evidence of a saved soul), and the end is the conclusion of our testing here on Earth, our mortal death. We persevere in living a life that pleases God all our days in this life. But know that salvation is by faith alone, a saving faith that produces a life of obedience to God. You are not saved by obedience; you are saved for obedience. Read Ephesians 2:8-9

Live in the Word of God

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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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

What is the word of God? It is his divine wisdom, his will, and a manifestation of his power.  In his words are the commands and guidance to live an obedient life. A life that demonstrates love for our heavenly Father and is a witness to others of his perfect will. The word is the message of Jesus Christ. It is the path to salvation and presents the mysteries that God has chosen to reveal. It was by his word that everything was created. It is by his word that everything holds together. It is by his word that everything will be destroyed. The gospel of John tells us that Jesus is the incarnate word of God, so to live in Christ is to live in the word.  

To live in the word of God means to pursue his will by spending meaningful, quality time in the scriptures; paying attention to ministers who are accurately preaching the tenets and precepts of the bible; and diligence in putting all that guidance into the works of your life. Faith can be defined as the belief in the word of God. So have faith, but also know that your faith is worthless without doing – be a doer, not just a hearer. Read James 2:14-26 We are blessed by what we do, not by what we know. This is the difference between wisdom and knowledge.

A mark of the genuine Christian is a thirst and need for knowledge and understanding of the word of God. Peter tells us to shed the filthy rags of the worldly life, and like babies to long for the pure milk of the word so that we may grow in the faith. Read I Peter 2:1-3 A mark of the lost and of the faux Christian is apathy toward the word of God.

Forgive Others

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And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

Forgiving those who have wronged us is not a suggestion, but a requirement from God. He demands we forgive. . . just as he forgives us. Forgiving others is what Christians do, it is a virtue of the highest order. Read Proverbs 19:11 It follows the example of Christ and frees our conscience from guilt and bitterness.

To forgive someone is to relinquish the desire to avenge yourself (the desire to hurt someone for hurting you). It is not ignoring or forgetting that you have been wronged. This is not giving up a desire to see justice served but instead leaving punishment in the hands of God. Forgiving is really to our own benefit as we no longer carry anger, bitterness, resentment, or the burning desire for revenge. God tells us that he will take care of the punishment due to them, but that we are to love our enemies!

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

Paul tells us in the verses above that, if possible, we should be at peace with all men. The offer of forgiveness is up to you; acceptance of forgiveness and reconciliation is up to the other party. So do your part and rest in the peace of God.

Also, do not find joy in the misery of others. When those who have wronged us fall, or receive the punishment they deserve, we should not find happiness in that. We should have compassion for them, as difficult as that may be. Read Proverbs 24:17

Trust in the Lord, Not in Yourself

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

This proverb is an excellent maxim for reaping the best possible outcome in this life. It is quite simple but contrary to human nature. Trust in the Lord is complete dependence on God, total submission to his will, and confidence that he will put you on the right course. Our instinct is to take control and rely on our intelligence, experience, intuition, and emotion. Often, we will do well because we are wise, but we do well in the context of our desires, not in achieving the objective of obedience to the will of God. One seems good now, and the other is good forever.

How do you know that you are “trusting in the Lord” in your decisions and not relying on your own understanding? You trust in the Lord by loving God, living in the word, and praying for his guidance and wisdom. James tells us that God gives wisdom to all who ask, but you must be steadfast in the faith. Read James 1:5-6 To effectively trust in the Lord is to live as a disciple, a soul committed to pursuing God’s will. It is a way of life.   

He will direct you by your conscience, give you the desire to move forward, set every circumstance, and show you the correct path in ways you cannot imagine. The road may not be easy, he may take you in a direction that seems futile, he may test you with trials but know that if you follow him, you will be blessed and you will be successful. Then, you work hard to accomplish every endeavor undertaken. You give it your best because you are working to the glory of God. Trust in the Lord because he loves you, and he has a plan for you.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29

Pray Without Ceasing

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Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Paul tells us to persistently pray to God. It is a kind of running conversation that flows from a settled dependence and should continue all your waking hours. There is no repetition, no formula, but instead thankfulness, confession, intercession, pleading, and petitions to God. The Bible is clear that God responds to persistence and often chooses to accomplish His will in answer to our prayers. James tells us that the prayers of the righteous can accomplish much. Read James 5:16

One of the primary reasons to pray is to ask God for the wisdom to know his will. He freely gives that to those who love him and experiencing the blessings of successfully living within his will builds your trust and faith. I love Paul’s prayer for Christian maturity in Colossians:

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:9-12

Another important reason for persistent prayer is to ask God to take care of you and your loved ones. It is very comforting to know that God will never forsake those who love him.

Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7