Journey to Virtue: Cultivating True Goodness
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound question of what it means to be a truly good person and how one can achieve such a state. In our society, we often have clear paths and mentors for achieving wealth, health, or success in various fields. However, when it comes to becoming a person of virtue and moral beauty, the path is less defined. This is a curious omission, especially when considering that throughout history, many cultures have prioritized the cultivation of goodness as a fundamental aspect of human life.
The teachings of Jesus and the writings of Peter remind us that the pursuit of goodness is not merely a religious or spiritual endeavor but a central question of human existence. Peter's words, as highlighted in 2 Peter 1:3-7, emphasize that God's divine power has provided us with everything we need for a godly life. This includes a progression of virtues: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. Each of these virtues builds upon the other, leading us toward a life that reflects the divine nature.
Dallas Willard's insights in "Renovation of the Heart" further illuminate this journey, urging us to put our best effort into what truly matters. The process of sanctification, or becoming differentiated, involves a conscious and sustained relationship with God, where we are transformed to do what is right. This transformation is not about outward appearances or experiences but about developing a track record and system of habits that align with God's will.
The concept of differentiation, as discussed by psychologist Murray Bowen, parallels the idea of sanctification. It involves developing a solid sense of self that is not dependent on others' opinions, allowing for genuine, loving relationships. This journey of becoming a truly good person is a lifelong process, one that requires intentional effort and reliance on God's inexhaustible resources of goodness.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Pursuit of Goodness: Becoming a truly good person is a central question of human existence, not just a religious pursuit. It requires intentional effort and a commitment to cultivating virtues that reflect the divine nature. [02:06]
2. Divine Provision: God's divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. This includes a progression of virtues that build upon each other, leading us toward a life that reflects God's character. [03:54]
3. Effort and Transformation: The journey of sanctification involves putting forth our best effort into what truly matters. It is a process of transformation where we develop habits that align with God's will. [05:15]
4. Differentiation and Relationships: Developing a solid sense of self, or differentiation, allows for genuine, loving relationships. It involves being non-reactive and maintaining a sense of self that is not dependent on others' opinions. [09:33]
5. Sanctification as a Process: Sanctification is a consciously chosen and sustained relationship with God, leading to transformation. It is not about outward appearances but about developing a track record and system of habits that reflect God's will. [11:12]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - The Quest for Riches and Success
- [01:21] - The Pursuit of Goodness
- [02:06] - Historical Perspective on Virtue
- [02:47] - Jesus and the Good Person Business
- [03:13] - Peter's Words on Divine Power
- [04:10] - Participating in the Divine Nature
- [04:22] - The Path to Virtue
- [05:01] - Effort in Pursuing Goodness
- [06:05] - Developing Self-Control and Perseverance
- [06:48] - Mutual Affection and Love
- [08:07] - Understanding Sanctification
- [09:33] - Differentiation and Relationships
- [10:57] - Summary of Sanctification
- [11:56] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Peter 1:3-7
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Peter 1:3-7, what are the virtues that Peter lists, and how do they build upon each other? [04:22]
2. In the sermon, how does the speaker describe the cultural difference in the pursuit of becoming a good person compared to other pursuits like wealth or health? [01:37]
3. What does the speaker suggest is the significance of the phrase "God's divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life"? [03:13]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between sanctification and differentiation? [09:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the progression of virtues in 2 Peter 1:3-7 reflect the process of spiritual growth and transformation in a believer's life? [04:22]
2. The sermon mentions that becoming a truly good person is a central question of human existence. Why might this be considered more important than other pursuits like wealth or success? [02:06]
3. How does the concept of differentiation, as explained in the sermon, contribute to the development of genuine, loving relationships? [09:33]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that sanctification is a process rather than a one-time event? [11:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:3-7. Which virtue do you feel you need to cultivate more in your life, and what steps can you take to develop it? [04:22]
2. The sermon suggests that we often put effort into lesser pursuits. What is one area in your life where you can redirect your effort towards becoming a truly good person? [05:15]
3. Consider the idea of differentiation. How can you develop a solid sense of self that is not dependent on others' opinions, and how might this impact your relationships? [09:33]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a sustained relationship with God for sanctification. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen this relationship? [11:12]
5. How can you apply the concept of participating in the divine nature in your everyday life? What changes might this require in your current habits or mindset? [04:10]
6. Reflect on the idea of agape love as the ultimate expression of spiritual growth. How can you demonstrate this kind of love in your interactions with others this week? [07:24]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of developing a track record and system of habits that align with God's will. What is one habit you can start or improve to better align with this goal? [11:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Centrality of Goodness in Human Existence
The pursuit of becoming a truly good person is not merely a religious endeavor but a fundamental question of human existence. In a world where paths to success in wealth and health are well-defined, the journey toward moral beauty and virtue often lacks clear guidance. This pursuit requires intentional effort and a commitment to cultivating virtues that reflect the divine nature. The teachings of Jesus and the writings of Peter remind us that this journey is central to our lives, urging us to prioritize the cultivation of goodness as a core aspect of our humanity. [02:06]
"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." (2 Peter 1:5-7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one virtue from 2 Peter 1:5-7 that you feel called to cultivate more intentionally in your life. What specific steps can you take today to begin this process?
Day 2: Divine Provision for a Godly Life
God's divine power has equipped us with everything necessary for a godly life, including a progression of virtues that build upon each other. This divine provision is not just about spiritual growth but about reflecting God's character in our daily lives. As we embrace these virtues—faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love—we participate in the divine nature and become more like Christ. This journey is a testament to God's generosity and desire for us to live lives that honor Him. [03:54]
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how you have experienced God's provision in your life. How can you rely more on His power to cultivate the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:3-7?
Day 3: The Effort and Transformation of Sanctification
The journey of sanctification involves putting forth our best effort into what truly matters. It is a process of transformation where we develop habits that align with God's will. This transformation is not about outward appearances but about developing a track record and system of habits that reflect God's character. As we engage in this process, we are called to be intentional and diligent, knowing that our efforts are supported by God's inexhaustible resources of goodness. [05:15]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: Consider one habit in your life that does not align with God's will. What steps can you take to transform this habit into one that reflects God's character?
Day 4: Differentiation and Genuine Relationships
Developing a solid sense of self, or differentiation, allows for genuine, loving relationships. This involves being non-reactive and maintaining a sense of self that is not dependent on others' opinions. As we grow in differentiation, we are better able to engage in authentic relationships, grounded in love and mutual respect. This journey requires intentional effort and a reliance on God's guidance to develop a self that is both secure and open to others. [09:33]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship where you struggle to maintain your sense of self. How can you practice differentiation in this relationship while still showing love and respect?
Day 5: Sanctification as a Lifelong Process
Sanctification is a consciously chosen and sustained relationship with God, leading to transformation. It is not about outward appearances but about developing a track record and system of habits that reflect God's will. This lifelong process requires intentional effort and a commitment to growing in our relationship with God. As we engage in this journey, we are reminded that sanctification is not a destination but a continuous process of becoming more like Christ. [11:12]
"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: Reflect on your journey of sanctification. What is one area where you have seen growth, and what is one area where you feel called to seek further transformation?
Quotes
i want to become a really good person i would like from the core of my being to have virtue and moral beauty flowing through my thought and my will where would you send them see this is a very strange thing that we don't think about very much we assume that that's not a very scientific question to ask [00:01:21]
most cultures most times most places have taken it for granted that there is knowledge available about how to become a person and the question of who is a good person and how to become one is as important to humanity as anything else and this is particularly true from israel [00:02:08]
jesus says that god's divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life now dallas willard in his book renovation of the heart pauses to ask the question how much does that word everything leave out i think peter was serious about this think this is really true [00:03:19]
his divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness through these he has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature [00:03:47]
for this reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness and to goodness knowledge and to knowledge self-control and to self-control perseverance and to perseverance godliness and to godliness mutual affection and to mutual affection love [00:04:29]
what peter's saying here is put forth your very best effort my gosh i'll put all kinds of effort into all kinds of lesser things about career success or how do i get more money or how do i lose a little bit of weight or how do i good at this sport put your very best effort into what matters very most of all [00:05:05]
train yourself to simply do what's right and good obviously this is something weird to do it will not be done for us and then in your virtue add on knowledge or understanding that is come to know why the good and right you do is good and right operate from insight into the realities of it all [00:05:33]
develop the capacity to carry out your intentions and not be thrown off by any turn of events and then in your self-control add on perseverance endurance patience the capacity to stick with the course stay with it over the long haul regardless of how you feel [00:06:05]
the differentiated person is one who has a very solid sense of self who i am does not depend on what you think of me now growing in this direction to become truly differentiated is a process just like sanctification is and the interesting thing about the word to sanctify as you may know in the bible or to be holy [00:09:26]
it is a consciously chosen and sustained relationship of interaction between the lord and his apprentice in which the apprentice is able to do and routinely does what he or she knows to be right before god because all aspects of her or his person have been substantially transformed [00:10:57]
sanctification is not an experience though experiences of different kinds can be involved it's not a status although a status is maintained by it it is not an outward form has no essential connection with outward forms it does however become a track record and a system of habits [00:11:19]
it comes about through the process of spiritual formation by the power of god and that's the invitation today i can't but god can come out and be differentiated [00:11:41]
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