"His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1)
"If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things...practice these things" (Philippians 4:8). A call to excellence.
Redemption - JJ Heller
We are to diligently seek all things of God that pertain to life and godliness. Peter writes on, that to confirm our calling and election we are to be diligent at practicing certain qualities and if we practice these we will never fall.[1] In sequence we are to add these qualities, to faith we add virtue; to virtue, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance godliness; to godliness, kindness; to kindness, love.[2] We begin with faith and add virtue, virtue is defined as a particular moral excellence, good behavior or character or quality, the conformity to a standard of right.[3] The word virtue is used by Peter to describe a quality we are to have; we are called to virtue and are to add to our faith virtue.[4]. The power of God has given us, through the knowledge of him and his great and precious promises, the ability to participate in his divine nature, his character, when we add these qualities we will not be unfruitful in the knowledge of him.[5]
We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then, is not an act but a habit-- Aristotle. After being conformed to this world it is not an easy task of conforming to a standard of right. Picture a rocket blasting into outer space, much fuel/energy is expended in escaping earth's gravity pull, however once in space conforming to gravity is much easier, though you would have other issues to deal with. Habits too have tremendous pull, like the gravity pull of reaching orbit example, breaking out of the orbit of a habit is possible but requires much fuel. Stephen Covey writes In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that if we can learn to use the pull of habits to our advantage we can establish new ones based on principles that bring long-term beneficial results. Most think this impossible as it is usually not all done by God but requires effort on our part. Even those accepted in the church tend to be of this mind-set, reflecting it to others and wondering why others are not delivered as they. Many stand in the shadow of the steeple living with issues and believing they can not change. The power of God has given us the ability to live out qualities that are fruitful, being conformed to a standard of right and being transformed by the renewing of the mind.[6]
Habits become the basis of a person's character; we develop habits for what we value, we repeatedly do or act out values, this acting out becomes our character. The qualities of virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love are things that God values, they are his nature. Through God's power we learn to live these things as we participate in his nature, bringing us to a deeper knowledge of him. When valued and lived out they become our character.[7] They become our standard operating procedures.[8] The things of God are his character, what he values, so as believers living these things out reflects God's character or image in us which glorifies him. Anything else is winging it, not living to the standards of God. Maturing in Christ is to pursue virtue, doing these things of God so that we are richly supplied into the way of the kingdom of the Lord and savior Jesus Christ.[9] We must be diligent in confirming, doing, and stirring up, discipleship of others, into remembrance of these things as long as we are in this tabernacle of the flesh.
One would think this only applies to people who need to change "real bad" habits but as I put forth this call to excellence in my business, establishing Core Values that become the character of my business, reflecting Christ in the Marketplace, I struggle with finding people who reflect these values in their daily lives.[10] Like an iceberg, there are two fundamental parts to leadership: that which is easily seen – above the waterline and that which is more difficult to see – those qualities below the waterline.[11] I seek what is not easily seen, by implementing interviewing and training processes that aim at getting underneath the perception of. Even in the local organization of the church which I am a member and love, I find those who do not live these values out nor want to be accountable and responsible for doing so, it is easy to put on our Sunday clothes. It is a powerful thing; to add virtue to our faith, this adds to the foundation preparing the way for knowledge and other qualities. We are to seek virtue or excellence in the things of God; knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. When we do not we are not living out the great commission of "as you go" which for most is into the marketplace, where we work.
One would think this only applies to people who need to change "real bad" habits but as I put forth this call to excellence in my business, establishing Core Values that become the character of my business, reflecting Christ in the Marketplace, I struggle with finding people who reflect these values in their daily lives.[10] Like an iceberg, there are two fundamental parts to leadership: that which is easily seen – above the waterline and that which is more difficult to see – those qualities below the waterline.[11] I seek what is not easily seen, by implementing interviewing and training processes that aim at getting underneath the perception of. Even in the local organization of the church which I am a member and love, I find those who do not live these values out nor want to be accountable and responsible for doing so, it is easy to put on our Sunday clothes. It is a powerful thing; to add virtue to our faith, this adds to the foundation preparing the way for knowledge and other qualities. We are to seek virtue or excellence in the things of God; knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. When we do not we are not living out the great commission of "as you go" which for most is into the marketplace, where we work.
We need to diligently seek the things of God, to understand our identity, call, and election to help us know and value our role in the church. To value God is to value excellence, to be excellent is to seek outstanding or valuable qualities.[12] While we will fall short of his excellence, excellence is our calling. When we depend upon his power we can live out his qualities. Peter states that we will never stumble if we through his divine power and knowledge pursue these things. Jesus received from God honor and glory, by a voice being carried to him by such way of excellent glory.[13] Peter heard this voice from heaven, a prophetic voice that declared Jesus the Son of God. Peter writes that we do well to take heed, as unto a light shining into darkness, until the day comes and the day star comes in our hearts,[14] that there is more confirmation of the prophetic word of God being carried along through men by the spirit of God.[15]