"GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST"
Striving For Excellence
INTRODUCTION
- Growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ requires developing a
Christ-like character...
- Involving eight graces in conjunction with each other - 2Pe 1:5-8
- Involving all diligence to abound in these eight graces - 2Pe 1:
5,8
- We saw that this "spiritual construction project" begins with
"faith"...
- For without faith it is impossible to please God - He 11:6
- For faith is the catalyst making it possible to grow - cf. Mk
9:23b
- But developing a Christ-like character does not occur by "faith
only"...
- To "faith" we must add "virtue"
- The word "add" (epichoregeo) indicating that these two must work
together
[So upon the foundation of faith, to grow in the knowledge of Jesus
requires that we add the quality of "virtue"...]
- THE DEFINITION OF VIRTUE
- RARELY USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...
- Paul uses it once: "...if there is any virtue" - Php 4:8
- Peter uses it four times:
- "...proclaim the praises (virtue) of Him" - 1Pe 2:9
- "...who called us by glory and virtue" - 2Pe 1:3
- Twice in our text - 2Pe 1:5
- It has been variously translated in our text as:
- "goodness" (NIV)
- "moral excellence" (NASB)
- It has been variously explained as
- "excellence" (Wycliffe)
- "manly excellence" (JFB)
- "courage, fortitude, vigor, energy" (Clarke, Barnes)
- THE GREEK WORD IS ARETE...
- A. T. Robertson says that it is an "old word for any
preeminence (moral, intellectual, military)
- The Greeks used the word:
- To describe "any mental excellence or moral quality or
physical power" (Robertson)
- To represent a concept of "excellence" in all phases of
life, to which they strove to attain (mental, moral,
physical)
- MY UNDERSTANDING OF "VIRTUE"...
- It has the connotation of excellence, striving for moral
perfection
- The connection of virtue with faith:
- We begin with faith (confidence and trust in God and Christ)
- We must add the quality of virtue (the desire to excel and
be strong in our faith)
[Virtue is the quality of striving for excellence in our faith-based
relationship with God and Jesus Christ. That such a quality is
necessary to grow in the knowledge of Jesus should be evident...]
- THE DEMAND OF VIRTUE
- SPIRITUAL LIFE DEMANDS VIRTUE...
- Without virtue, faith soon dies
- Faith without works is a dead faith - cf. Jm 2:26
- When faith is joined by virtue (a desire for excellence in
our service to God)...
- Our faith will be a dynamic faith
- For works will certainly follow one who is "striving for
excellence"
- Without virtue, we cannot grow
- Growing in the knowledge of Jesus requires:
- "giving all diligence" - 2Pe 1:5,10
- That we "abound" in these graces - 2Pe 1:8
- When faith is joined by virtue (striving for excellence)...
- Diligent effort will be made
- Abounding in these graces will be the goal of our faith
- DISCIPLESHIP DEMANDS VIRTUE...
- Christ taught His disciples to strive for excellence - Mt 5:48
- He died to make it possible - He 10:12-14
- He established offices (functions) in His church to ensure
it - Ep 4:11-13
- Paul considered excellence in disciples the objective of his
ministry - cf. Col 1:28-29
- He therefore encouraged the Corinthians to this end - 2 Co
7:1
- He told Timothy that this was the design of Scripture - 2 Ti
3:16-17
[How can we hope to grow as disciples, to truly come to know our Savior
and Lord, unless we add to our faith the quality of virtue? Without a
strong desire for excellence, especially in our relationship with
Christ, our faith will be weak and possibly die altogether! So let's
consider...]
- THE DEVELOPMENT OF VIRTUE
- THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD...
- The purpose or design of the Word is to make us perfect - 2 Ti
3:16-17
- Give ourselves to reading and meditating upon it, and ...
- We shall be like a strong fruitful tree - Ps 1:1-3
- We shall grow in wisdom and understanding - Ps 119:97-99
- We are therefore encouraged to meditate upon that which
contains virtue (as surely the Word does!) - Php 4:8
- THE VALUE OF AN APOSTOLIC EXAMPLE...
- We are also encouraged to emulate Paul - Php 4:9
- He described and displayed his own striving for excellence - Ph
3:12-14
- Never consider yourself as having reached it - Php 3:12a
- Don't remain satisfied with the spiritual condition you
are in
- Admit that you always have room to grow
- Forget what lies behind - Php 3:13a
- Don't rest on your "laurels" (past accomplishments)
- Don't allow past "mistakes" to prevent future progress
- Reach forward to what lies ahead - Php 3:13b
- Look ahead with optimism
- Keep your eye on the prize that awaits - cf. 2Ti 4:8,18
- Press on - Php 3:12b,14
- Never give up
- Be like the runner in an endurance race - cf. He 12:1-2
[Develop this "mindset" (cf. Php 3:15), and we will have developed the
arete (virtue) our faith needs to grow in the knowledge of Jesus
Christ! Finally, a thought or two about...]
- THE DEMONSTRATION OF VIRTUE
- IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES...
- Does our daily walk with God suggest we are striving for
excellence?
- Are we seeking to excel in our relationship with God?
- By reading His Word daily (listening to Him)?
- By praying without ceasing (talking to Him)?
- Are we seeking to excel in our service to God?
- Determining and developing our talents?
- Using those abilities in service to God and others?
-- If we have added virtue to our personal walk of faith, our
progress will be evident to others - 1Ti 4:13-16
- IN OUR BIBLE STUDIES AND ASSEMBLIES...
- Does our involvement in the services of the church suggest we
are striving for excellence?
- Do we utilize opportunities to increase our faith?
- By attending the Bible studies offered by the church?
- By preparing for them, and being an active contributor to
the studies?
- Do we exercise opportunities to encourage others?
- By attending the assemblies of the church?
- By participating in the services, exhorting others before
and after?
-- If we have added virtue to our public walk of faith, we will be
an example worthy of others to emulate - Php 3:17
CONCLUSION
- The Christian who adds virtue to their faith does not remain
static...
- He or she will not be content with their current level of faith
and service
- Like Paul, they will desire to press on
-- For they are striving for excellence!
- When a Christian adds virtue to their faith...
- They are more likely to add other qualities to their faith
- Such as knowledge, self-control, etc.
-- For they are striving for excellence!
To grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, then, let us seek to
add to our faith the quality of virtue!