Bible Scholar

Archive for November 15th, 2009

Are Christian virtues just for sissies, wimps, and other losers? Or are they the most reasonable way for all of us to live? Let’s check it out.

Jesus is the embodiment of virtue. He’s our example. We are to become “little Christs” imitating what he did. He wants to make us over until we are perfect. Following Christ’s lead, these are the virtues we are to embrace: charity, courage, faith, humility, justice, knowledge, wisdom, obedience, perseverance, faithfulness, prudence, and temperance. These Christ-like traits are to become an intrinsic part of our new character.

Some of the words such as charity, prudence, and temperance have either changed meaning over time or are no longer part of our current vernacular. A brief explanation of each may help. We will take them in alphabetical order starting with . . .

Charity

In its wider application, charity covers a large part of Christianity: compassion, kindness, good deeds, encouragement, forgiveness, gentleness, hospitality, love, mercy, and tolerance. Here is what the scriptures tell us about charity.

Paul exhorts us to compassion and kindness in Colossians 3:12, Galatians 5:22, and Ephesians 4:32. Peter urges compassion in 1 Peter 3:8. Growing in brotherly kindness, Peter tells us, will keep us from complacency and unproductive service. (2 Peter 1:6-8)

In his Sheep and Goats narrative, Jesus says, in so many words, our deeds are our destiny. Those who attend the needs of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the unclothed, the sick, and those in prison will be rewarded with the kingdom and eternal life. Those who do not attend to the ones who need help are damned to eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Likewise, the hero in Jesus’ Good Samaritan parable was the one who acted with mercy. (Luke 10:30-37) And in case anyone missed his point, Jesus says, “The Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angles, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” (Matthew 16:27)

Good deeds remains a predominant theme throughout the New Testament. Jesus advocates them in Matthew 5:16, 16:27, Mark 9:41, Luke 6:38, and 14:13-14. Paul commends charitable acts in Acts 20:35, Romans 12:13, 2 Corinthians 8:12, and 9:6-7, and Philippians 2:4. The writer of Hebrews does the same in Hebrews 13:16.

We are to encourage one another. Paul prompts us twice: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 and 5:14. And the writer of Hebrews advises it on three occasions: Hebrews 3:13, 10:24, and 10:25.

Jesus commands us to forgive each other. In perhaps one of the most chilling statements of the scriptures, Christ says: “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-16)

To illustrate the command for forgiveness, Jesus tells the parable of the Unmerciful Servant. The servant was unable to pay the king ten thousand talents which was due him. The king ordered the servant and his family to be sold to repay the debt. He pleaded for mercy, and the king relented canceling the debt and let him go.

But the servant went out and found another servant who owed him a relatively small debt. The first servant demanded payment. His debtor pleaded for mercy. However, the first servant refused and threw him into prison. Other servants told the king what had happened. The king turned the first servant over to his jailers to be tortured until he paid all he owed. (Matthew 18:21-35)

Jesus concluded this parable saying, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

Jesus practiced what he preached; he forgave those who were crucifying him. (Luke 23:34) Stephen followed suit and forgave those who were stoning him. (Acts 7:60)

In three of his letters, Paul urges us to be gentle: Galatians 5:23, Ephesians 4:1-2, and Philippians 4:5.

Peter, Paul, John, and the writer of Hebrews all praise hospitality. See: 1 Peter 4:9, Romans 12:13, 3 John 5-8, and Hebrews 13:2. One of Paul’s requirements for a widow receiving assistance from the church is that she shows hospitality. (1 Timothy 5:9-10)

Jesus, Peter, Paul, and John spoke frequently on love. Love, we find, is the very essence of Christianity, the power that motivates all the other virtues. One of the most moving passages in all the Bible is 1 Corinthians chapter 13, Paul’s tribute to love. It reads like poetry.

Shortly before his crucifixion, Christ addressed his disciples: ” A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Jesus: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Jesus: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

Love is the key, the essential ingredient. Paul says it in Romans 13:8-10 and Colossians 3:14; Peter says it in 1 Peter 4:8 and 2 Peter 1:7; and John makes the same observation in 1 John 3:14, 3:18, 5:2-3, and 2 John 5-6.

Jesus advocated the virtue of mercy on three occasions including the beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) The other references are Matthew 9:13 and Luke 6:36. Paul too encouraged mercy in three passages: Romans 12:14, 12:17, and Colossians 3:13. James issues the stern warning that judgment without mercy will be shown to those who have not been merciful. (James 2:13)

Perhaps the most popular of Jesus’ quotes is on the subject of tolerance. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

Many of Paul’s statements repeat Christ’s plea (and warning) for tolerance: Romans 14:1-4, 14:5, 14:10, 14:13, 15:7, 1 Corinthians 4:5, and Colossians 3:13.

In general, we are to accept our fellow Christians. We should never be petty or looking for faults. Certainly we must not get into the habit of condemning others. Nevertheless, some things are not to be tolerated. We are to be constantly on our guard against false prophets, false teachers, and what they say. (2 Peter 2:1) Paul gave the Galatians this memorable warning: “Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:8)

We are also to draw distinctions between right and wrong and between good and bad people. Jesus told us not to give dogs what is sacred or throw pearls to pigs. (Matthew 7:6)

Paul cautions us not to even associate with fellow Christians who are sexually immoral, or greedy, or slanderers, or drunkards, or swindlers. (1 Corinthians 5:11) And he told the Corinthians to expel a certain man from among them. (1 Corinthians 5:1-3) As for those who start controversies, arguments, or quarrels, they are to be warned twice. After that have nothing to do with them, Paul advises. (Titus 3:9-10)

Nor should we tolerate idlers. If a man doesn’t work, says Paul, he should not eat either. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Both Jesus and Paul tell us not to permit the church to go astray with sexual misconduct. The man Paul ordered to be expelled from the Corinthian church had sex with his stepmother. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5) Jesus himself warned the church at Thyatira to repent of their sexual immorality. (Revelation: 2:18-22)

What of those outside the church? There too we are to use discretion. Paul: “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Again it is Paul who offers us an appropriate summary: “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

What should Christians tolerate? We all have flaws and quirks. Paul tells us to overlook them; we are to love our fellow Christians in spite of their rough edges. Then again, there is a point at which we must draw the line. Those who teach or preach false doctrines are not to be tolerated. Likewise, we cannot allow the church to be discredited, corrupted, or divided by fellow Christians. And immoral people outside the church should be avoided.

Charity under its broader meaning encompasses a large portion of Christian ethics: compassion, kindness, good deeds, encouragement, forgiveness, gentleness, hospitality, love, mercy, and tolerance. These are not nice options. We are ordered to acquire these qualities.

Courage

John Wayne once defined courage as being scared to death and saddling up anyway. Do you consider Christianity — a religion for wimps? Then consider Revelation 21:8. “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

If we take that at face value, God has no more use for a coward than he does for a murderer. Both of them are damned. Christianity calls for courage. We are promised hard times ahead. See John 16:33, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 4:12-16, Acts 14:22, and 2 Timothy 3:12. We are simply told to take up our cross and follow Christ. (Matthew 16:24) It takes guts to live like a Christian.

Faith

The writer of Hebrews provides us with the definition: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV) Again, the writer of Hebrews: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Jesus: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)

Paul: “We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Paul: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

John: “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

Faith, like charity and courage , is essential.

Humility

Humility is the fourth virtue. Jesus give us two beatitudes and two parables on the subject. He tells us “the poor in spirit” and the meek’ are the blessed ones. (Matthew 5:3 and 5) And he vividly contrasts a humble tax collector with a proud Pharisee. (Luke 18:9-14) The second parable regarded taking the least important seat at a wedding feast. (Luke 14:7-11)

Jesus concludes both parables with this caveat: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus again advocates humility in Matthew 20:25-27 and Luke 18:17. Paul does the same in Romans 12:3, 12:16, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Galatians 6:3, and 6:4-5, Ephesians 4:1-2, and Titus 3:2.

James tells us to humble ourselves before the Lord, and he will lift us up. (James 4:10) Paul, in addition to his other quotes on humility, says we should not do anything because of selfish ambition or conceit but in humility we are to consider others better than ourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

The whole concept of humility seems rather quaint nowadays. All too often, we see the opposite: arrogance, conceit, and pride. Humility? Many today associate it with losers, those with low self-esteem, or maybe an inferiority complex. If you’ve got it, flaunt it. That’s the prevailing attitude of our times. Mohammad Allie popularized it. Our culture embraced it.

Even so, sooner or later reality kicks in and we come face to face with our own frailties. Of what do we have to be proud? our looks? our bodies? our intelligence? our possessions? or our accomplishments? Do not all end in age and death?

Humility before God should not be difficult to understand. It’s nothing more than common sense when we consider our respective positions. He’s the creator; we are the created. He’s in charge. We live and die at his pleasure, and we spend eternity wherever he sends us. Isn’t it obvious? Humility is the only reasonable attitude when we come to understand our true relationship with God.

But what of humility towards each other? Here I will venture a guess. We don’t really know what makes other people tick. We don’t have an inside track on their hopes, their problems, their sacrifices, or what God thinks of them. For that reason we should refrain from comparing ourselves to other folks. We are told to treat them as we want to be treated. That’s our job. God will judge them. That’s his job.

Justice

Justice carries with it the meaning of being fair, impartial, honest, and upright. Cicero defined it: “To give everyone his due.”

Jesus had much to say on justice. He pointed out to the teachers of the law that justice along with mercy and faithfulness were three of the more important matters of the law. (Matthew 23:23) He warns of God’s justice: “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2)

He also gives us the golden rule for human justice: “Do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

Two of Jesus’ beatitudes concern justice: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) And: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

In dealing with others, Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, and James tell us we must be fair, impartial, honest, and upright. See Matthew 5:20, Luke 3:13, 3:14, and 16:10, Romans 13:7 and 13:8, 1 Timothy 6:11, Ephesians 4:25, and James 2:1-7 and 2:9.

Justice is not an option, neither are knowledge and wisdom.

Knowledge and Wisdom

Peter and Paul both commend knowledge. Peter lists knowledge as one of the eight qualities we need to be growing into to keep us from being ineffective or unproductive. (2 Peter 1:8) The knowledge he refers to is an understanding of Jesus Christ. And he explains why we need this knowledge: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Paul prayed that God would fill the Colossians with wisdom and understanding of God’s will. (Colossians 1:9) And they would grow in knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9) But knowledge has its limits.

Paul says knowledge passes away, (1 Corinthians 13:8) and it “puffs up” those who have it whereas love “builds up.” ( Corinthians 8:1)

James, on the other hand, advises us to ask God for wisdom. (James 1:5)

Limitations aside, Peter, Paul, and James say wisdom and knowledge of God and Christ are things we should pray for and work to achieve.

Obedience

Another Christian virtue is obedience. If we don’t obey Christ, he went to a lot of trouble and pain for nothing. He very much wants us to listen to his words and follow his instructions.

He challenges us: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) And he promises us: “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (John 8:51)

Then in a dramatic parable, Jesus compares those who obey him to a wise man who builds his house on a rock. But those who fail to put his words into practice are compared to a foolish man who builds his house on sand. “That house falls with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

Jesus also stresses obedience in Matthew 7:21 and 28:19-20, and Luke 11:28. Obedience is mandatory.

Perseverance and Faithfulness

These two virtues are so closely related we will consider them together. Faithfulness along with justice and mercy are three of the more important matters of the law, Jesus told the teachers of the law and Pharisees. (Matthew 23:23)

Jesus issued this promise: “Remain in me and I will remain in you,” (John 15:4) and this thinly veiled warning: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:5-6)

Again it is Jesus who says: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:12-13)

Jesus, Peter, Paul, James and the writer of Hebrews all caution us to persevere and to remain faithful to Christ. See Revelation 2:10, 2 Peter 1:6, Galatians 5:22, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, Hebrews 3:14, 10:36. and 12:1-3. and James 1:3-4 and 1:12.

Faithfulness and perseverance are two more qualities Christians must acquire.

Prudence

Prudence means exercising sound judgment, being practical, sensible, cautious – not rash or extravagant. In a word, prudence means maturity.

Jesus illustrated the virtue of prudence with the parable of the ten virgins. Five of the virgins were ready when the bridegroom arrived, the other five, the foolish virgins, were not ready. They were locked out. Jesus concludes the parable with: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:1-13)

Paul advised the Corinthians to “stop thinking like children.” He told them to be infants in evil but adult in thinking. (1 Corinthians 14:20) In letters to three more cities, Paul encourages his readers to reason as mature adults: Ephesians 4:14-16, Philippians 3:12-15, and Colossians 4:5-6.

Luke commends the Bereans for their prudence in examining the scriptures to see if Paul were speaking the truth. (Acts 17:11)

A certain form of prudence surfaces in much of what Jesus says. Again and again he tells us to get our priorities in order. He says not to worry about our life, what we are going to eat or wear. Life’s more that food and clothing. (Matthew 6:25) Our priority is to seek his kingdom. God will take care of our physical needs. (Matthew 6:26-33) We shouldn’t even be afraid of those who have the power to kill us. Rather we should fear God who can condemn us to hell. (Luke 12:4-5)

In the following three statements, Jesus explicitly tells us that heaven is our only true goal. Everything else is secondary.

Jesus: “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

Jesus: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Jesus: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

It is a matter of perspective. We should know what’s important and what isn’t, and we should act accordingly.

Temperance

Closely associated with prudence is temperance. Temperance means self restraint or moderation. The temperance movement in America made “temperance” a byword for abstinence from intoxicants, but it has a broader application. We will use the more comprehensive meaning to include self control, modesty, patience, peace, and peacemakers.

Self control is another one of those eight qualities Peter says should be growing in us to keep us from complacency or unproductive service. (2 Peter 1:6) Peter and Paul both urge us to exercise self control. See 1 Peter 1:13, 4:7, and 5:8, Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:23 and 1 Thessalonians 5:6.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul explains what he means by self control. It is refraining from sinful desires such as orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, debauchery, dissension and jealousy. We are not to even think about these things. (Romans 13:13)

Modesty is another form of temperance. Jesus tells us not to do good deeds to impress other people. (Matthew 6:1) When we give to charity, don’t make a show of it. (Matthew 6:2) Let our contributions be in secret. God knows. He will reward us. (Matthew 6:4) likewise, don’t make a spectacle out of praying (Matthew 6:5-6) or fasting. (Matthew 6:16-18)

Our charity, our prayers, and our fasts are all to be between ourselves and God. Bragging about such things is inappropriate. And it doesn’t please God.

Self restraint often means patience. Jesus, Peter, Paul, and James all mention this virtue. Jesus commends the church at Philadelphia for enduring patiently. (Revelation 3:10)

Peter advises patience in 1 Peter 1:67, and Paul recommends the same in three of his letters: Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:1-2, and 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Twice Paul give us the reason for patience. He says our light and momentary troubles are gaining us an eternal glory which far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17) Similarly in Romans, he explains that our present suffering is trivial compared to the glory in store for us. (Romans 8:18)

James agrees and adds his own reason: “Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (James 5:8)

We are also to be peacemakers. Jesus brings this to our attention in the beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

It is a continuing theme with Jesus. He tells us to live at peace with one another whenever possible. See Mark 9:50, Matthew 5:24-25, and 5:38-39. Paul too stresses peace in his letters. He mentions it on eleven occasions. Romans 12:18 sums up Paul’s guidance on the subject: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Paul wants us to do whatever it takes to live in harmony. If something you eat offends a fellow Christian, then don’t eat it, advises Paul. You don’t want to destroy one for whom Christ died. (Romans 14:15)

Temperance means a number of things: self control, modesty, patience, and living at peace with one another. We are to do our best to get along with other people. Temperance, like the other Christian virtues, is not an option; it’s a requirement.

What makes a Christian a Christian? A Christian is one who believes in Jesus, repents of his sins, confesses Jesus as the Christ, is baptized into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and obeys Christ’s commands. Now we can expand that definition and say a Christian is a follower of Christ: one who believes, repents, confesses, is baptized, and grows in the Christian virtues of charity, courage, faith, humility, justice, knowledge, obedience, perseverance, faithfulness, prudence, and temperance.

Character Transformation

A caterpillar is a rather odd, pathetic looking creature. But, as you know, this homely insect emerges from its cocoon transformed into a beautiful butterfly. Here we find a correlation to Christianity. In our natural state we are not very pretty either. We tend to be greedy, petty, loathsome little creatures primarily intent on satisfying our own desires.

Christ wants to change us. He wants to take away our selfish little will and replace it with his own. He will, if we let him, transform us into an entirely new creature, a creature like himself. The caterpillar has no choice. Instinct drives it into the cocoon. Metamorphosis changes it into a butterfly.

But we have a choice; we can always say “No” to God. we can stay a caterpillar. God will not alter us against our will. Christ himself laid down the transformation requirements. And it won’t do any good to say: “I don’t like the rules” or “I wish they were different.” Christ made the rules. To follow him we must believe in him, repent of our sins, confess his name, and be baptized in his name.

That, however, is just the beginning. He wants us to grow in his likeness. We are to practice the Christian virtues until they become part and parcel of our new character. This is how Christ transforms us into heavenly beings full of charity, courage, faith, humility, justice, knowledge, wisdom, obedience, perseverance, faithfulness, prudence, and temperance. When Christ completes our transformation, we will be fit subjects for God’s eternal kingdom.

Aspiring to Christian virtues, we discover, is a very reasonable way for all of us to live.

“Hath man no second life? — Pitch this one high!” Matthew Arnold (1822 -1888) English poet and critic

Note: All Scripture References are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.

KJV – King James Version