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Following in the footsteps of the Acts of the
Apostles, written by St. Luke, Shepherd's Cross Christian Helps Ministry
exists by the grace of God to further the first century Apostolic tradition
serving in the Great Commission. |
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Virtue and Vice: Character
Since the Industrial Revolution, the United States populaces have moved from an agrarian society to one of manufacturing. Today, in the twenty-first century the work force has risen to a service economy. According to Ian Frazier, “On The Res,” "that means that most of us make our living by being nice. And if we can't be nice then we'd better be neutral.” Continuing Frazier writes, “the dream of many of us is that someday we might miraculously have enough money that we could quit being nice, and everybody would then have to be nice to us, and niceness would surround us like a warm dome.” In addition, Frazier writes, “Certain speeches we would love to make accompany this dream, glorious, blistering telling-offs of those to whom we usually hold our tongue.” It appears that many have bent the knee of their will to the idol god, Political Correctness and to the false prophet, Tolerance. An anonymous member of the Pharisees approached the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry to inquire of Him a test question…“And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” St. Matthew 22:35-40 Jesus did not say to be politically correct or to tolerate your neighbor. He said to love, and to love whom and with what? … “Love God and your neighbor, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” In Mere Christianity, 79-80, according to Lewis, “there is a difference between doing some particular just or temperate action and being a just or temperate man.” An anonymous rich person sincerely approached the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry requesting the following … “Now as Jesus was starting out on his way, someone ran up to him, fell on his knees, and said, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” The man said to him, “Teacher, I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth.” As Jesus looked at him, he felt love for him and said, “You lack one thing. Go, sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But at this statement, the man looked sad and went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.” St. Mark 10:17-22 Lewis continues… “A man who preserves in doing just actions gets in the end a certain quality of character. Now it is that quality rather than the particular actions, which we mean when we talk of a virtue.” I concur however; one is not a Christian through personal merit. “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 Character counts. Let us begin and continue manifesting attributes of character and leave being characters at the cross. Do you agree / disagree with Ian Frazier, “On The Res,” full quote. Write @ least one paragraph. In Mere Christianity, 79-80, according to Lewis, “there is a difference between doing some particular just or temperate action and being a just or temperate man.” Drawing from your own experience, do you agree or disagree with Lewis and why. Write @ least one paragraph. Recall a significant event in your life that you did not get credit. Now, take a moment and reflect on that event. Write a note to complement yourself. Do something to reward you for that event. This may include friends, family or simply as a solitaire. Be kind to yourself. Think of a specific character trait that you admire in a significant person from your current or earlier life that you would like to see in your life developed more. Work on developing this trait in your life this year. To share your thoughts please contact me at city_of_david_outreach@yahoo.com . |
