New Year's Reformation #6(&7) Patience (&Love)

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

I Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

In looking at these godly virtues which lie behind the way we should acts as follower of Christ, we will always find love (aka charity) close by.  That basic characteristic is, as I often state, a decision/mindset to do what is best for others no matter what it costs me.  That is what God has done for us in Christ. Love is at the beginning of the Fruit of the Spirit, which ends with temperance, which we looked at earlier. Also included in that list is patience - putting up with a lot from the person or situation because we want what is best for others.  We are often warned not to pray for patience, because that will open us up to trials. Better yet, we should not pray for patience, as God has already given it to us in Christ. The only question is: Will we put into action what God has already supplied?

New Year's Reformation #5: Diligence

II Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 

Diligence is another word rare in our writings, actions, and thought patterns.  Here we have gone back to the NKJV to find a small selection of its usage. In context here, Paul had rebuked this church for their lack of action in addressing blatant sin. Finally, they woke up, repented, and acted. He uses the same word in the next chapter to challenge them to do the same in taking up a collection for needy believers in Judea. In short, diligence presses on to make things right - something New Year's resolutions rarely do. It is "careful and persistent effort."  Of course, Paul is by no means calling for works salvation, but the recognition that the life of a Christ follower is a journey, along which we will constantly find things that need to change in our lives, and to do the journey right, we never coast or cease to see our lives bring glory to God. Have you begun to coast? Be Diligent!

New Year's Reformation #4: Generosity

II Corinthians 8:1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

Many Americans like to think that they are generous, but we are not.  When we look at statistics of any kind, for the amount of abundance with which we have been entrusted, whether those who claim to be "Christian" or profess to be "liberal" in other ways, not many are truly generous.  It is not simply an amount or percentage, but a mindset and heart perspective.  It is a willingness to give freely of ourselves and whatever we have, be it material, emotional, spiritual, or temporal, to those around us who need it. Often it is far "easier" to send money to those suffering on the commercial on TV than it is to a neighbor, family member, or challenging personality in our own lives. We are not good evaluators of our own generosity. We need to ask: What do others say and see about me?

New Year's Reformation #3: Temperance

 Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

This passage is familiar, but like our word from yesterday, the last quality on the list - temperance, seems to be "last on the list", not so important, a thing of the past.  Many who remember it at all think only of abstaining from alcohol.  Again, it is far more, and it is far from an afterthought at the end of the list. It is most often now translated "self-control," but really has the sense of "balance." It means reaching a place where one is not carried away by excess, while at the same time coming up lacking for passion.  It is the ability to resist temptation on one's own, yet realizing one's dependence upon God and others for a full life. If there is any reason at all that we find it at the end of the list of the Fruit of the Spirit, it is that it is a virtue which takes time and determination to develop.  What kind of balance have you achieved in your life?

New Year's Reformation #2 Chastity

I Timothy 5:1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to the younger men as brothers, 2 to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Chastity is one of those words we have not seen in a long time. We automatically get visions of a monastery long, long ago. You will notice it is NOT in the verse above, but the ESV has the word purity instead. What is interesting is that this word itself appears in the ESV only 4 times. We need to me more open-minded as to what Chastity really is:  the virtue of moral purity and integrity, encompassing more than just abstaining from sexual activity. It is emphasized in the Bible as a holistic approach to sexual ethics, which includes respect for oneself and others, and adherence to divine principles, treating others with purity and dignity. It is a transformation of the heart and mind in how we view and treat others. It has to do with what we think and intend, affecting what we do with our eyes, our thoughts, and our actions.

+3

New Year's Reformation #1 Humility

 I Peter 5:5b Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 

Throughout my lifetime one of the things I have seen pretty much fade away is New Year's resolutions. If you are young enough that this is a totally alien concept, the idea is to start the new year making changes to your life for the good. Those of us who are familiar with it also realize it rarely lasts long.  What we need before a change is a change in character: what we value of most importance. Over the next 7 days into the new year we will consider the seven virtues: what we should value most: Humility leads the list. It is not thinking too highly of or too much about ourselves. We are way too self-focused, even when it comes to putting ourselves down.  True Humility is expressed in both our approach to God and to others. We need to see ourselves as "under God's hand" in both His Sovereignty and His supply. We need to trust Him, His plan, His rules as best for us, and stop living like we rule the world. This flows into our approach towards others. What is it that they need and how can God provide that through us. Let's not put it off until January 1; let's start today.

Take Time Today to Treasure, Ponder, and Praise

Luke 2:15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.