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- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2
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REFINEMENTS OF
CHRISTIAN VIRTUE: MORAL EXCELLENCE (2Pe 1:5 from vss. 3-10) 8-12-12 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. PERCEIVE THE SUFFICIENCY
OF GOD’S POWER (3) II. PERCEIVE THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD’S WORD (4) III. POSSESS THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD’S SALVATION
(5) IV. PURSUE THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD’S CHARACTER
(5) A. The Believer is to
Cooperate with God’s Sanctification 1. Though
salvation through saving faith is without works, sanctification is another
matter. The believer can only receive Christ’s finished work on the cross for
salvation through faith. And even though sanctification (God’s work in the
believer after he is saved) is wrought by God in the believer, God designed
the believer’s cooperation, pursuit, and obedience as part of it. 2. The prime example is found in Phil
2:12-13. In vs. 13, Paul states that God is the One working in the believer’s
will and actions to bring about sanctification. Yet in vs. 12, in regard to
the believer’s sanctification (sometimes referred to as complete “salvation”)
the believer is to “work out” (through obedience) what God has worked in his
life. B. The Believer is to
Cooperate with Christian Virtue 1. Christian
Virtue is part of God’s sanctification. Therefore, the believer plays a part
in that he is to “apply all diligence” in adding Christian Virtue. a) This word
for “apply” (pareispher,ō)
is an emphatic action of coming
alongside (para), to bring (pherō), into (eis)
great effort. Literally it is “having applied all diligence” (aorist
active participle - pareispher,ō)
to show that the results come only after the action. b) It is to be applied with “diligence” (spoudê), a word that means with urgent haste (Luk
1:39), serious earnestness (Jude 1:3), and great fervency (Rom 12:11). c) Furthermore, it is to be applied
diligently with nothing held back at all times (pas - all or every). d) So it becomes the believer’s task to give
of his earnest, urgent, and utmost effort to grow in Christ and Christlike
Virtue. 2. In
connection with the believer’s saving faith, he must diligently “supply”
Christian Virtue. “Supply” (epichorêge,ō)
is an interesting word with poignant ramifications. a) Literally
it means “one who provides out of his own expense” (Friberg). Figuratively it
means to provide in addition or add to. It means to fit or furnish with
complete supplies generously and lavishly (cp. 2 Cor. 9:10; 1 Pet.
4:11; 2Pe 1:11). b) This verb is in the imperative mood
(command) which confirms that the believer is to exercise God’s divine power
granted to him. 3. Peter
names a list of seven virtues, that if the believer applies them into his life, will bring fruitfulness and keep him from stumbling.
They are moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness,
brotherly kindness, and love. REFINEMENTS OF
CHRISTIAN VIRTUE I. MORAL EXCELLENCE A. Explanation of Moral
Excellence (Virtue) 1. In
general, a virtue is a positive trait or quality deemed to be morally good
and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.
(Wikipedia) 2. The Greeks believed anything excellent is
virtuous, a symmetrical chimney, a sturdy horse, or a courageous man. It was
merely being the best you can be at whatever endeavor you were attempting.
Aristotle believed ultimate virtue was the medium of two extremes (“Doctrine
of the Mean”), Homer saw it as a courageous warrior, Seneca, as perfect
prudence, Immanuel Kant, a melancholy analytical principled mind, and
Judaism, the golden rule. 3. Though most ideas of virtue are generally
helpful to mankind, the problem arises when deciding whose idea of virtue is
correct. In other words, who ultimately decides what is morally excellent and
what is not? Furthermore, where does one’s virtue come from? B. Difference Between
Christian & Secular Moral Excellence 1. Peter’s
second epistle includes the Greek word aretê,, translated “moral excellence” (NASB). He lays
down principles for understanding Christian Virtue as opposed to Secular
Virtue. a) Christian
Virtue (aretê, from 2 Peter) (1) Provided
by God’s power (2Pe 1:3) (2) Determined in Scripture (2Pe 1:4) (3) Based upon saving faith and the new nature
(2Pe 1:5) (4) Connected with God’s own glory (2Pe 1:3 cp.
1Pe 2:9) b) Secular
Virtue (1) Provided
by human weakness (2) Determined by mass human reasoning (3) Based upon man’s innate “goodness”
(depravity) (4) Connected with man’s assumed achievements B. Scriptural Usages of Moral
Excellence (aretê,) 1. It is
based upon the Moral Excellency of God a) It refers
to the praise, glory, honor, splendor, and excellence of God’s moral
perfections (LXX - aretê, - Isa 42:8,
12; 43:21; 63:7; Hab 3:3; Zec 6:13; 1Pe 2:9). 2. It
emulates the moral excellence of God (2Pe 1:3 cp. 2Pe 1:5) 3. It involves the believer’s pursuit of
excellence in values and integrity (Phil 4:8). a) The
believer is to pursue excellence in all truthfulness. (1) (alêthê,s - truthful and
trustworthy, Psa 25:11; Psa 117:2; Joh 14:6 ). (2) He is to be truthful with doctrine, (1Pe
1:22) speech (Eph 4:25), and behavior (Pro 3:3). b) The
believer is to pursue excellence in all honor. (1) (semno,s - serious,
good character). (2) He is to be honorable in character and
integrity (2Co 8:21; 1Ti 3:11; Tit 2:2). c) The
believer is to pursue excellence in all righteousnesss.
(1) (dikaios - morally and
ethically upright - 1Jo 2:1). (2) He is to be in right relationship with God
and men (Mat 5:6; 1Jo 3:7; 1Pe 3:14). d) The
believer is to pursue excellence in all purity. (1) (hagno,s - moral purity
and innocent - 1Jo 3:3). (2) He is to be pure in motives and morality
(Pro 19:9; 2Co 7:11 cp. Tit 1:15). e) The
believer is to pursue excellence in all gracious disposition (1) (prosphilês - kindly afftectioned, well disposed). (2) He is to be gracious and pleasing in
disposition towards all others (cp. Apoc. Sir 4:7; 20:13). f) The
believer is to pursue excellence in all reputation. (1) (eu,phêmos - good
report or commendable). (2) He is to do all things for and in keeping
with a good testimony (cp. Act 6:3; 1Ti 3:7). g) The
believer is to pursue excellence in all praiseworthiness. (1) (e,painos - high
evaluation - Psa 22:3). (2) He is to have conduct
worthy of praise (Rom 13:3; 1Pe 1:7). 4. Moral
excellence (Christian Virtue) is the believer’s character emanating from
God’s moral excellence and power in the believer. The believer is to pursue
the excellence of virtue in every aspect of his spiritual life and in
everything he says and does. |
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