Embracing Change: The Journey to True Virtue

 

Summary

Today, I shared a profound truth: change is inevitable. Every day, we are transformed, whether we realize it or not. This transformation is not just external but deeply internal, affecting our character, which is the greatest gift we can offer to God, the world, and ourselves. The invitation today is to choose your "mask" carefully, a metaphor for the virtues we decide to embody.

Reflecting on personal heroes, I recounted a story about my friend Murph, who admired his grandmother and a Greek New Testament professor. These private heroes, unlike public figures, are known for their humility and genuine character. This led us to explore what truly constitutes a virtue. According to Christian Miller's "The Character Gap," a virtue is an inner disposition that consistently leads to good actions across various situations, motivated by altruism rather than self-interest.

The challenge lies in discerning true virtue, both in others and ourselves. Our motives are often mixed, and it's difficult to know if someone, including ourselves, is genuinely virtuous. I shared a personal experience of envy, revealing how our motivations can be tainted by ego. The key is to acknowledge these impure motives without indulging them and to choose actions that reflect the virtues we aspire to embody.

Frederick Buechner's story of Lord George Hell illustrates this beautifully. By wearing the mask of a saint, he eventually becomes one. This is not hypocrisy, as the intention is genuine transformation. Acting "as if" with a surrendered will and seeking God's help can lead to miraculous changes in our character. C.S. Lewis likens this to a child learning to speak, pretending until they grow into the ability. God sees the potential in us and, through humble action and divine assistance, we can become the person we aspire to be.

Key Takeaways:

- Change is inevitable, and each day presents an opportunity to transform our character. This transformation is a gift we offer to God and the world, emphasizing the importance of intentional growth and seeking divine assistance. [00:40]

- True virtue is an inner disposition that leads to consistent good actions across various situations, motivated by altruism rather than self-interest. This challenges us to examine our motives and strive for genuine character development. [03:11]

- Our motives are often mixed, and recognizing impure motives is the first step towards transformation. By acknowledging these without indulging them, we can choose actions that align with the virtues we aspire to embody. [07:14]

- Acting "as if" we possess certain virtues, with genuine intention and a surrendered will, can lead to true character transformation. This is not hypocrisy but a path to becoming the person we aspire to be, with God's help. [09:40]

- God sees the potential in us and, through humble action and divine assistance, we can grow into the person we are meant to be. This process is akin to a child learning to speak, pretending until they grow into the ability. [11:01]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:40] - The Inevitability of Change
[01:06] - The Gift of Character
[01:21] - Personal Heroes and Their Impact
[02:28] - Public vs. Private Heroes
[02:56] - Understanding True Virtue
[03:38] - The Role of Motives in Virtue
[05:27] - The Importance of Motive
[06:23] - Recognizing Impure Motives
[07:14] - Choosing Actions Over Motives
[08:12] - The Happy Hypocrite
[09:40] - Acting "As If"
[10:10] - The Miracle of Character Change
[11:01] - God's Role in Our Transformation
[11:18] - Closing Thoughts

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
2. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
3. Matthew 6:1 - "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 12:2 suggest about the process of transformation in a believer's life?
2. How does the sermon describe the role of motives in determining true virtue? [05:27]
3. What is the significance of the "mask" metaphor used in the sermon, and how does it relate to character transformation? [09:12]
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between public and private heroes, and why is this distinction important? [02:28]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Romans 12:2 relate to the idea of choosing our "mask" carefully as discussed in the sermon? [01:06]
2. In what ways does 2 Corinthians 3:18 support the sermon’s message about transformation being a process that involves divine assistance?
3. How does the story of Lord George Hell illustrate the concept of "acting as if" and its impact on character transformation? [09:40]
4. What does Matthew 6:1 reveal about the importance of motives in our actions, and how does this align with the sermon’s discussion on virtue? [04:49]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a personal hero in your life. What virtues do they embody, and how can you begin to incorporate those virtues into your own life? [02:28]
2. Identify a situation where your motives might have been mixed. How can you acknowledge these motives without indulging them, and choose actions that align with the virtues you aspire to embody? [07:14]
3. Consider the "mask" you currently wear. Is it aligned with the virtues you want to develop? What changes can you make to ensure it reflects your true aspirations? [09:12]
4. How can you practice "acting as if" you possess a certain virtue this week? What specific steps will you take to embody this virtue in your daily interactions? [09:40]
5. Think of a time when you were disappointed. What does this reveal about your underlying motives, and how can you redirect your focus towards more altruistic actions? [06:23]
6. How can you seek God's help in your journey of character transformation? What practical steps can you take to invite divine assistance in your daily life? [11:01]
7. Reflect on a recent action you took. Was it motivated by self-interest or altruism? How can you ensure your future actions are more aligned with genuine virtue? [04:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Daily Transformation
Change is an inevitable part of life, and each day offers a new opportunity for personal transformation. This transformation is not merely external but deeply internal, affecting our character, which is the greatest gift we can offer to God, the world, and ourselves. By intentionally choosing to grow and seeking divine assistance, we can align our actions with the virtues we aspire to embody. This process requires a conscious decision to embrace change and view it as a gift rather than a challenge. [00:40]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your character that you feel God is inviting you to transform today? How can you take a step towards that transformation with His help?


Day 2: Cultivate Genuine Virtue
True virtue is an inner disposition that consistently leads to good actions across various situations, motivated by altruism rather than self-interest. This challenges us to examine our motives and strive for genuine character development. It is important to recognize that our motives are often mixed, and discerning true virtue requires honesty and self-reflection. By focusing on cultivating virtues that are rooted in genuine altruism, we can develop a character that reflects the goodness we wish to see in the world. [03:11]

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent decision you made. What were your underlying motives, and how can you align them more closely with genuine virtue?


Day 3: Acknowledge and Transform Impure Motives
Our motives are often mixed, and recognizing impure motives is the first step towards transformation. By acknowledging these without indulging them, we can choose actions that align with the virtues we aspire to embody. This requires a willingness to confront our ego and the humility to seek God's guidance in transforming our intentions. By doing so, we can move towards a more authentic expression of our values and beliefs. [07:14]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a situation where your motives were mixed. How can you invite God into this area to help purify your intentions?


Day 4: Act "As If" with Genuine Intention
Acting "as if" we possess certain virtues, with genuine intention and a surrendered will, can lead to true character transformation. This is not hypocrisy but a path to becoming the person we aspire to be, with God's help. By adopting the behaviors and attitudes of the virtues we wish to embody, we can gradually grow into them, much like a child learning to speak. This process requires faith and a willingness to trust in God's transformative power. [09:40]

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one virtue you wish to embody more fully? How can you begin to act "as if" you already possess it today?


Day 5: Trust in God's Transformative Power
God sees the potential in us and, through humble action and divine assistance, we can grow into the person we are meant to be. This process is akin to a child learning to speak, pretending until they grow into the ability. By trusting in God's transformative power, we can embrace the journey of becoming who we are called to be, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [11:01]

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust more in God's transformative power? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?

Quotes

today I promise you an amazing thing is going to happen the most important process in the world you a human being are going to change whether you like it or not whether you want to or not for better or Force can't help it on the outside but more importantly on the inside by accident or on purpose when you go to bed tonight you're going to be one day different than you were when you got started and by the way you will never get the chance to do this day again so let's make it count let's ask for God's help [00:29:27]

we're talking about our character which is the great gift that you will give with your life to God to the world to other people as well as to yourself and the invitation today is choose your mask carefully [00:62:52]

he talks in there about what qualifies a trait in our life to be a virtue he says it's an inner disposition that leads to a good action generosity or so um so if there's a woman he says named Matthew hears about some refugees who are suffering and she goes to try to help them out that's a good thing to do can we determine then that she has the virtue of compassion well not yet he says because what if she goes there and she's kind of braggy and Superior and taking selfies of herself being so wonderful to these people so no it has to be a good action that's carried out in an appropriate way [00:186:43]

this has to be a trait that is demonstrated across different situations different relationships in quite a stable way that lasts over time so now if that condition is satisfied can we determine that she has the verge of compassion no he says because of one other reason uh the mere Behavior no matter how admirable and consistent it might be is Never Enough by itself to qualify us as compassion as compassionate people if Beth for example only did these things with the goal of benefiting herself [00:241:06]

a motive is the desire that energizes my heart so early on I went into church ministry and I thought well one advantage of that is at least I will be given great spiritually mature character didn't quite work out that way I found early on when I was working at a church there was somebody else on staff unbelievably charismatic very gifted person and there was an event going on at the church where this person was giftedness and Charisma were being celebrated in a raucous Wild Way and instead of my entering into that great joy I found myself thinking well I wish that was coming to me not to him [00:390:54]

so a place to begin in this journey is to uh be quite open don't deny when I run into impure motives of myself don't indulge them don't dwell on them overly long just simply be curious about them be aware of them and then and then and then because I can't choose my motives I can choose my action I can't choose my motive because my motive is an emotional reality here's what I can do I can act as if I was a person of good character I can act as if I was somebody who was humble I can act as if I was somebody who was generous [00:450:90]

Frederick Peter wrote a wonderful book called telling the truth and here's part of what he writes in the happy Hypocrites a short story Max Biermann tells about a rake name Lords George Hall man there's a bug here debauched and profligate Who falls in love with a saintly girl and in order to win her love covers his bloated features with the mask of a saint the girl is deceived and becomes his bride they live together happily until a wicked lady from Lords George hell's Wicked past turns up to expose him for the scoundrel she knows him to be and challenges him to take off his mask [00:495:41]

so sadly having no choice he takes it off and lo and behold beneath the Saints mask is the face of the saint he has become by wearing it in love so choose your mask carefully today live as if you had the virtue of humility or the virtue of generosity or the virtue of honesty what would somebody do if they had a good character and I can choose to enter into that act now this is called happy hypocrite you might wonder what's the difference between hypocrisy versus acting as if that's a good question rather than I read some time ago said the difference is this a hypocrite has no intention of becoming what he's pretending to be [00:537:78]

but when I act as if I have a different posture of the will my goal now is not to fool other people and make them think I'm different than I actually am I I genuinely I'm living with a surrendered will I want to become an honest person or a humble person or a non-envious person or a patient person and so I ask for God's help and here's the other key we're not able to change our character it's always a miracle when it happens Lord George hell takes off the mask and a Miracle of Miracles he has become what it is that he was trying to live as though he were one of those [00:590:40]

um always God does it we grow we learn we develop by pretending little children pretend until they grow into it C.S Lewis writes about this when a parent's teaching a child to speak it does that by pretending that the child is able to understand until one day the child can God looks at us and he sees in US speaks to that higher person that we are not yet but we might One Day become and when we humbly act as if and ask for God's help a change happens I can't you can't I think I'll let him go be changed [00:638:94]

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Transcript
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