Streams: The Virtuous Life
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
The Prayer-filled Life forms the foundation for holy living. As we enter into deeper intimacy with God we are enabled to enter into deeper transformation of our heart.
The VL is not about perfectionism.
The word Virtue comes from the Greek word arete which simply means “to function well”
The VL or the Holy Life is about a life that functions well, the ability to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done, simply: a life that works.
Jesus and the Virtuous Life
Jesus’ life was one that “worked”.
He was able to do what needed to be done when it needed to be done. (respond appropriatelty)
Jesus’ life was perfect and without sin.
Hebrews 4 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Jesus’ inner life was pure (purity of heart) which resulted in a pure external life.
He teaches us that we will know a tree by its fruit – he was the perfect example of this.
As disciples of Jesus, we are being called into this life of inner holiness that results in external expressions of holiness.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Student, professor, pastor, activist, double agent, theologian, author, martyr
He was not perfect, and made many mistakes in his life.
But, he lived a life of which Christ was the Center.
Discipleship, spiritual disciplines
He lived a life of which holiness led to action.
Purity of the Church, action against the evils of society
For more info on Dietrich Bonhoeffer click here
Holiness is not:
• Rules and regulations – IT IS a sustained attention to the heart
Men in Black trailer
o Externalism vs. Heart-work
• Otherworldliness – IT IS world affirming
o Sacred vs. secular
o Holiness is found in the midst of everyday life – in the world but not of the world
• Consuming asceticism – IT IS bodily spirituality
o Punishment of the body for the sake of punishment
o Rather, discipline for the sake of training
• Works righteousness – IT IS striving to enter in
o Action follows essence
o Not works, but effort
o We grow in grace through holy habits of indirection
• Perfectionism – IT IS progress in purity and sanctity
o Fireworks – quick to light up the dark, quick to fade
o Sunrises – slowly light up the dark (this is more often what our spiritual growth is like)
o Right actions flowing from a right heart
• Absorption into God – IT IS loving unity with God
o Holiness gives us our truest, fullest humanity.
It is about becoming the person we were created to be.
Wonder Boys video Ephesians 4:24 – created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The goal of the Christian life is not just to get into heaven, but for heaven to get into us.
We have been called to live a life of holiness. A life of virtue and wholeness and purity.
1 Timothy 1:9 – “who has saved us and called us to a holy life”
How:
1. Train in godliness
a. Not works, effort (“make every effort)
b. Spiritual disciplines (meditation, fasting, solitude, prayer, worship, silence, service, etc.)
c. Process of indirection
2. Journey together
a. It’s important to have Spiritual companions / friendships
b. Practice the “One anothers” of the Bible
i. Love one another, encourage one another, etc.
c. Confess to one another
3. When you fall down, get back up
a. Fortitude: courage in pain or adversity
b. Fortitude builds habits, habits build character, character builds destiny
Online Bonus: Resources for Training – Spiritual Disciplines
In addition, if you are local and would like assistance in navigating your journey and finding out which spiritual disciplines you should begin to practice, please feel free to contact me (Paul) at faithjourney@calvarydover.org
These teachings are developed further in the book Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith by Richard Foster.
