The Changing Face of Virtue

The Changing Face of Virtue

“Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to

 virtue knowledge, to knowledge self control…”

                               I Peter 1:5-6

The difficulty in defining virtue is that it represents the values and principles considered admirable and ethical in a given society. The definitions found in the dictionary include the following thoughts:

Conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles
A good or admirable quality, property, feature or trait
A particular moral excellence or strength

The problem becomes clear when we look at examples of what was once considered virtuous. In Russia during the Communist reign, turning in family members for religious activities was considered virtuous; in some Moslem nations, honor killings of daughters who dishonor their family is seen as acceptable and admirable behavior, and Germany considered involvement in the purging of Jews and other inferior races from their society as a desirable trait.

The title, The Changing Face of Virtue, reflects the not so subtle changes that have taken place in our society in recent years. Where once honesty, loyalty, integrity and kindness topped the list of values included under virtue, we have now seen success, comfort, convenience and acceptance take their place as qualities to be desired. Sadly, those values and virtues have opened the door to society accepting abortion, to a staggering divorce rate, to an acceptance and sanctioning of lifestyles contrary to God’s Word, and far more.

And the church has not been unaffected as the virtues God commends, faithfulness, commitment, a surrendered life and sacrificial living have taken a backseat in recent years to the same virtues the world embraces, comfort, convenience and “what’s best for me.” But the good news is that virtue can be reclaimed. We don’t have to be caught up in the downward spiral of values and character seen everywhere. We can decide to take a stand for true virtue, for integrity, honesty and hard work, loyalty in relationships and faithfulness in all areas of life. And in so doing, we can have a part in not only seeing Godly virtue restored to our nations, families and churches but in seeing hope restored for our future.

God Bless,
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church

Sayings

Sayings

“Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?”

                                      Genesis 4:6-7

My mom had quite a number of sayings that she used over the years, some more frequently than others, to punctuate a discussion or address a situation that she was involved in. For example, “what goes around comes around” was one of her favorites, used in those situations where someone was treating someone else in a way they would never want to be treated themselves. Really, it was just the golden rule of “do to others what you would have them do to you” modified for additional emphasis.

Another favorite, and I’ll give you the personal version, “Joey, there’s a God up above” was used in well-defined situations where it seemed someone was getting away with something that wasn’t right. “There’s a God up above” was my mom’s way of saying that the Lord sees everything, that nothing escapes his sight,  that He is the judge of each man and woman, and that He will deal with the things we have done, right and wrong, here on earth.

Probably the saying that I remember the best though was “what’s right is right.” When we were having one of those around the kitchen table discussions about an area of questionable integrity that was going on, of an area of behavior that even a very basic knowledge of right and wrong condemned, “what’s right is right” was her trump card. That saying appealed to the listener’s basic standards and values, a call to realize that some things are so obviously right as to be beyond discussion or exception. And it was understood that the counter “what’s wrong is wrong” was a given, no debate needed and no special knowledge required for something so clear.

“What’s right is right” runs so counter to the situational ethics that so many rely on to justify their behavior. In areas where the Word of God is clear and where the demands of conscious ring loudly, the situations that a person faces are too often used to justify choices, decisions and behavior that clearly violate the moral and ethical laws of God. And unfortunately, many realize all too late that the Lord’s standards of right of wrong, of commitment and faithfulness, are not subject to negotiation based on our own circumstances; situation ethics doesn’t work with a God who is the same yesterday, today, forever. Let’s ask the Lord to lift the veil over our eyes in any areas where we’ve compromised, justifying our actions by looking at the situations we face. Because, after all, “what’s right is right!”

God Bless,
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church

Changing Claims

Changing Claims

“My beloved is mine, and I am his. He

feeds his flock among the lilies.”

                          Song of Songs 2:16

Changing the order of words will often make the thought clearer or give a different emphasis on what is being communicated, but that isn’t the case in the book of Song of Songs. In a series of verses, using pretty much the same words, the writer unveils 3 stages of maturity in the life of a follower of Christ that, if we allow, can help us see the direction the Holy Spirit is leading:

1. “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” (Song of Songs 2:16)In this first stage, while she sees herself as belonging to the Lord, and while her salvation has a valuable place in her life, the believer’s first priority is her claim upon the Lord. I, me, my and mine are words that emphasize self and, if used too often, sound a warning signal that we are placing our priorities, and the demands of self, before the Lord’s. Far too often, our own needs are at the forefront of our relationship with the Lord.
   
2.  “I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine.” (Song of Songs 6:3)
   As she grows in her understanding of the Lord’s mercy and grace in her life, and begins to comprehend the depth of His love for her, His claim on her life displaces her claim on the Lord and she now puts the Lord first. Self is still there but it has taken a back seat to God’s will for the believer’s life, and to the beauty of a surrendered life. The cry of “not my will but yours be done Lord” is often heard coming from her lips.
   
3. “I am my beloved, and his desire is toward me.” (Song of Songs 7:10)
   Her last declaration is of finding a place that most believers never arrive at, that place where self has been vanquished. Here the believer finds so much contentment in the Lord’s love for her, and in knowing that He desires only her best, that she no longer has to look out for her own interests. She is able to find true rest in the Lord’s loving arms.

Growth, maturity and change are integral parts of the Christian life. Not settling at any one stage, never getting that feeling of having arrived or attained, and continuing the battle against self are so important if we hope to walk in the beauty of a love relationship with our Savior. Set your sights high; the unsearchable riches of the Lord await you!

God Bless,
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church