Heart of a Warrior - Greg Bourgond

Values - Levels of Resolve (Continued)

Level 4:  Affirmation - The fourth level of resolve is affirmation.  This level may produce public proclamations of affirmation of one or more values.  We 'go on record' that this value or these values are important to us.  We are willing to declare it and defend it.  But still, this level of resolve might produce little consistent and repeated expression in behavior.

Level 5:  Commitment - The fith level of resolve is commitment.  It is at this stage that we are willing to act on a value we esteem.  We proactively decide to intentionally live by this value.  The evidence of commitment is in the number of instances we can testify to its influence in our behavior.  Habitual acting out of this value becomes a high priority to the degree that we are willing to be held accountable for it.

Level 6:  Virtue - The sixth and final level of resolve is when the habitual practice of a particular value becomes a fixed part of our character and is now a virtue in our lives.  Again, vitures are "specific dispositions, skills, or qualities of excellence that together make up a person's character, and that influence his or her way of life."

In an article entitled Christian Ethics and the Ethics of Virtue (1984), Stephen S. Bilynskyj makes the following comments. “In the classical-medieval view - ethics is primarily the science of developing human character through the fostering of the virtues (p. 258).  Christian ethics is the practice of being a certain kind of people.  It is to learn to embody a character which is defined in relation to the life of Jesus Christ.  This kind of ethic still involves making decisions, but individual acts are placed in their context as the acts of people with a particular history and character.  For instance, having already become the kind of person for whom an extramarital affair was not an option, a decision not to engage in such an affair simply manifests what kind of person we are (p. 259).  There is a kind of circularity in the acquisition of virtue.  For it is by acting virtuously that we acquire a virtue, yet it is the possession of virtue which allows us to act virtuously (p. 259).  The question of what (and who) we are (should) precede the question of what we are to do (p. 260).”

Values - Levels of Resolve

A value does not result in correlated behavior until we commit ourselves to act on it repeatedly in the same direction over a period of time.  Doing so under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit will ultimately move a value to a virtue.  At this point we act on it without much thought--it has become a part of our spiritual DNA.

Until then we move through several levels of resolve.

Level 1:  Aspiration - For many of us, we aspire to values that are not in any way reflected in our behavior.  We might think highly of them but they have no influence over us.

Level 2:  Preference - For some of us, we have a distinct preference for one or more values over others.  For instance, we might value loyalty over honesty, or mercy over justice.  But in either case they are simply preferences having little impact on our behavior.

Level 3:  Respect - The third level of resolve is respect.  We respect certain values to the degree that we can't understand why others don't respect the same value.  When we see examples of these same values played out in the lives of others it immediately gets our attention.

When I saw the movie Gladiator, I was immediately attracted to two values that marked the life of Maximas--strength and honor.  I found these values represented in Scripture--in His strength and to His honor.  I gave these values to one of my grandsons as well.

When he stood up to his friends on the palyground and told them he wouldn't play with them unless they played with a little girl that was being ignored.  As I told him, it took strength to make such a stand and he did the honorable thing.  He now knows what it means.

Stay tuned for the other three levels.

Wisdom - The Key Value

What was David's counsel to his son, Solomon, when Solomon was still a young boy?  Solomon, now older if not wiser, instructs his sons.  I would surmise that he looks back on his own life--his triumpths and his mistakes.  Using the benefit of hindsight he declares the following to his sons.

Prov 4:1-13 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.  When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.  Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.  Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.  Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.  She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.  I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

When I was a pastor at a large church in California, John MacAethur, senior pastor of Grace Community Church, founder of Master's Seminary, and author of numerous books, visited our church.  I asked him what he thought was the biggest problem facing Christians for the forseeable future.  His answer came quickly and consisted of one word--discernment (or lack of wisdom)!

Why do so many Christians seem to lack 'discernment' (spiritual wisdom) today?  As early as the 4th century B.C., the philosoper Plato identified wisdom (prudence) as one of the four cardinal (hinge) virtues man should aspire to. 

We are buried in data today.  Many of us lack wisdom because we haven't processed the data through the grid of God's word, the Bible.  Biblical godly wisdom should head the list of our values and hopefully become a living virtue in our lives.

When you are looking at values to assign to your children or your grandchildren think of wisdom. Certainly, in this day and age, the world could use godly wisdom.  Think of the decisions your children/grandchildren will face as they try to find their way in an ever darkening world.  I gave my youngest grandson the values of truth and wisdom.  My hope and prayer is that he will grow to see the importance of both values.

More to come on values...

Biblically Informed Values

Solomon was called "The Teacher" in the book of Ecclesiastes.  He also wrote most of the proverbs in the Book of Proverbs.  Proverbs teaches moral and ethical principles (values).  The book of Proverbs is an excellent source for selecting Biblically informed values for your life.  I would strongly urge you to read Proverbs and identify the values God esteems.  In many of the verses they are described in contrast to an evil counterpart.

The first 9 chapters deal essentially with the value of wisdom.  Chapters 10 through 22 represent a collection of single-verse proverbs.  Beginning with chapter 22:16 through 24:44 we have 30 sayings called the Words of the Wise.  Chapters 25 through 31:9 include wise sayings of Solomon copied from the men of Hezekiah, the words of Agur, and the word of Lemuel.  Chapter 31:10-31 is an often-quoted poem about the virtuous woman.

If you are looking for values to impart to your children then begin with the book of Proverbs.  As you read the book you will gain an understanding of the heart of God and the values He values. 

What are the values that God values?  What areas of life do they touch upon?  EWhat do the values reflect regarding th heart of God?  I would encourgae you men to use the book of Proverbs for your devotions the next month.  Read one chapter a day for 31 days and you will have completely read the book of Proverbs. Journal what you learn about the values God esteems.  Record those values that elicit a resonance within your soul.  Pray before each chapter that God will reveal the values that are to mark your life or the values He desires your children to have.  Pray for each child or grandchild and ask God to help you identify the values you are to bless them with and that will be the filter through which they will live their lives and make decisions that will honor Him.

What are your values?

The point to remember is that a value doesn't become a virtue until it becomes a habit in your life.  Whjen you act on a value regularly, and it is firmly entrenched in your character so that it repeatedly influences your behavior, it is a virtue.  Once again, a virtue is a quality of character by which individuals habitually recognize and do the 'right' thing.

In Readings in Christian Ethics (Clark, 1994) the following point is made. 

Emphasis on virtue is prominent in ancient philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, and Christian theologians like Augustine and Aquinas.  The focus of virtue is on the character of an individual rather than on the individual's obligations.  Rather than developing principles by which we make decisions, the emphasis should be on development of virtuous people who will then make decisions that lead to the good of the individual and society.  The Bible emphasizes our duty to obey God.  Virtue grows as a consequence of obedience.  (pgs. 247-248)

What values guide your decisions?  What values mark the path of your journey that keep you on track?  What values have become virtues in your life?  How do I know what my values are?  The following questions might help you.

1. What is it that you treasure so highly that you are irritated when other people don't?
2. What are the things that you respect so deeply that you tend to be resentful of those who treat them with disrespect?
3. If you knew you had only 6 months to live, what would become the most important to you?  What would become unimportant to you?
4. What core value(s) do you hope your children will adopt?

I would appreciate hearing from the readers of this blog...

Personal Values - Clarification of Terms

As we pick up our discussion about values it seems to me that clarification is in order.  Several terms are used when discussing the subject of values.  Remember, it matters what you allow to stand in the privileged vantage point of authority over your values.  Authorities adopted by many include heritage, tradition, experience, reason, philosophy, or some -ism such as humanism.  For the Christian the only authority that should infom and condition our values is the Bible - God's word.  Now to the definitions ...

Morality

The word first appears in the 14th century and has come to mean a system of principles of right and wrong conduct; rules of conduct.

Value(s)

In the moral sense, a quality (such as loyalty, truthfulness, or justice) that human beings esteem and towards which they direct their moral conduct (morality).  A value or values is a principle or system of principles that guide our moral conduct.

Values are the principles we intend to live by; the hills we are prepared to bleed on and die on (Greg Bourgond)

Values are the personal (commitments) that propels us to action, to a particular kind of behavior and life (Hunter Lewis).

Values explain why we do what we do.  They govern our underlying thoughts, attitudes and decisions that result in behavior (Leith Anderson).

Virtue

Drs. David Clark and Bob Rakestraw in Readings in Christian Ethics define vistue as "Thye moral stance or consitution of an individual, consisting not merely of a collection of individual virtues, but the strength of character to coordinate and exercise the virtues in a way that makes them morally praiseworthy...a quality of character by which individuals habitually recognize and do the right thing.  When a value becomes an operational part of one's character it is called a virtue."

Virtues

Virtues are specific predispositions, skills, or qualities of excellence that together make up a person's character, and that influence his or her way of life.

Cardinal (Hinge) Virtues

Plato identified four cardinal, or hinge, virtues; prudence (wisdom), fortitude (courage), temperence (moderation or self-control), and justice.

Theological (Christian) Virtues

To these cardinal (hinge) virtues Augustine and others added three additional values; faith, hope, and love.

Character

Character is the combination of natural and acquired features and traits that constitute a person's nature or fundamental disposition, from which specific moral responses issue.

Principles

Principles are broad moral guidelines and precepts that are more foundational and more general than rules.

Rules

Rules are specific directives for conduct that derive from principles.

Norm

Norm is a general term indicating a rule, a guide to character and action.

Stay tuned for the next installment on values.

Salvation - What Is It? Part 3 The Gospel

We pick up the series with Becoming a Member of God's Family.  I have seen and read many tracks on the subject over the years.  Some leave out crucial elements like the deity of Jesus Christ.  Others provide a skeletal structure with little substance. 

Gospel presentations from many pulpits today focus on, "What's in it for me?"  Or "Try jesus, you'll like Him."  They miss the profound depth and breadth of the Gospel in all its richness and fullness. 

My wife and I stayed at a resort recently.  In one of the drawers in the bedroom was a little booklet I have never seen before.  As I read the booklet I rejoiced in the thoroughness and accuracy of the presentation.  Finally, a comprehensive description of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The title is simply "The Gospel."  Just click on the link - "The Gospel" - and you will be led through the same booklet I read.  In this case, it is online.  I challenge you to read the entire thing whether you are a follower of Christ or not. 

If you know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior it will serve as a wonderful reminder what Christ has done for you and what He is continuing to do for you.

If you do not know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior you will learn how to become a member of God's family.

The following subjects are addressed ...

• Sin
• Separation from God
• Man's Efforts Are Useless
• The Gospel
• The Problem:  God Must Punish Sin
• Step 1:  Imputation
• Step 2:  Substitution
• Step 3:  Satisfaction
• Jesus Is God
• Faith:  Man's response to Christ
• Grace:  A Free Gift
• Grace:  It Must Be Free
• Repentance
• Saving Repentance
• To Summarize Then...
• Assurance
• Eternally Secure
• Get Rooted In Your Faith
• Thank God Daily
• Share the Gospel

In my next post I will continue the series by expanding a bit on some of the themes embedded in The Gospel. 

Let me know you read "The Gospel" online by submitting a comment to this blog.

Musts, Woulds, Shoulds, and Coulds ...

In a scheduled gathering with men the other night I talked to them about the musts, shoulds, woulds, and coulds.  In an old Marlon Brando movie, On the Waterfront, he played a washed up boxer working on the docks.  In a particularly poignant scene he passionately says, "I could have been a contender.  I could've been somebody." 

Our lives are filled with 'coulds' that are never realized because of the 'musts' of our lives.  I 'must' do this or that before I can be this or that.  Complicating the situation are the 'shoulds' of our lives.  I 'should' do this or I 'should' do that. I 'would' do this or I 'would' do that if I "could' but the 'musts' of my life stop me from doing the 'shoulds of my life.  As a result the 'coulds' of my life will not be attained.

If I 'would' simply do what I know I 'should' and somehow repurpose the 'musts' to align with the 'shoulds' then I 'could' be what God intended me to be.  For instance, some men believe we must get something out or our system before we settle down.  The term "wild oats" comes to mind.  We must do something before we settle down to do what we should be doing with our lives.  What we could be gets losts in the musts of our lives.  Oh, we know what we should do to become what we could be but we lack the discipline (an courage) to reorder what we must do.  We believe we could do it if ......, and the story goes on, and on, and on.

If we are to ever realize what God knows we could be because "He has given us everthing we need to live a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3)," and were committed to what we know we should do and would do what He has told us we should do then what we must do would become what we should do and others would see what we could be and are in the process of becoming--godly men.  Don't let the wrong 'musts' crowd out the right 'shoulds' and compete with the 'woulds' so that the coulds remain a distant dream and never a present reality.

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

It matters what you value ...

Lead in to values ...

Values are the principles we intend to live by, the hills we are prepared to die on!  When we become followers of Christ God gives us new values - a desire for His values - a new heart.  The Bible says "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezek 36:26-28

At conversion we are given a 'corporate' or family (God's family) values called the fruit of the Spirit.  When God gives us a new heart at conversion; contained within is the seed of the fruit of the Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Gal 5:22-26

Another way of looking at this 'fruit' is that it represents the character of God.  We have a responsibility to plant this seed in fertile soil, water it frequently with the Word of God, weed it as needed through confession and renewal, expose it to the sunlight of God's presence, and bring it to full bloom producing 30-fold, 60-fold or 100-fold in our life.  The responsibility to produce fruit (the character of God in our life) is clearly commanded in John 15:1-16

15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Our friend, Erwin McManus of Mosaic identifies the following values of his church.

1.  Mission is why the church exists.
2.  Love is the context for all mission.
3.  Structure must always submit to spirit.
4.  Relevance to culture is not optional.
5.  Creativity is the natural result of spirituality.

Other values ...

Samurai warriors had a code they lived by for over 1000 years.  It was called "Bushido."

The Samurai Warrior's Code

The virtues esteemed by the samurai warrior included unquestioning loyalty to his feudal lord, fearlessness in battle, self-discipline, rejection of soft living, development of military skills, indifference to suffering and discomfort, and disregard of material wealth. In addition to these military virtues, the samurai were also encouraged to honour their parents, and to be honorable, honest, compassionate, generous, polite, self-controlled, and disdainful of money. These are some of the values and attitudes that were aspects of the samurai warrior's code called bushido.

To the samurai warrior, personal loyalty, obedience, courage, and honor were esteemed above life itself. It was dishonorable for a samurai to surrender to, or be taken alive by, an enemy. When faced with such a situation, or any serious dishonor, a samurai warrior was expected to commit suicide by ritual self-disembowelment. Westerners tend to describe this form of suicide as hara-kiri, but Japanese prefer to describe it as seppuku. Sometimes, samurai performed seppuku to demonstrate loyalty to a superior by following him in death, to make amends for serious failure of duty, or to protest against some action or attitude of a superior that was viewed as producing serious dishonor. Being an extremely painful form of suicide, it was favored by the samurai as a demonstration of courage, resolve, and self-control.

Examples of other values follow of varying degrees of importance...

Freedom of expression
Ending exploitation of women
Tolerance
You can't legislate morality
Justice
Fairness
Economic equality
Turn the other cheek
The first shall be last
Lose our life to gain it
Love our enemies

Freedom of worship

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. For human anger does not result in God's righteousness"

"Every person has something to add" is a value that could be based on a belief that "Nobody is ever totally wrong or totally right."

UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

Right to life (A3)
Freedom from slavery (A4)

Freedom from religion (A18)
Freedom from discrimination
Freedom for arbitrary arrest
Freedom of religion and speech

Please realize that important as values are it is far more important what informs, conditions, shapes, and empowers those values.  What do we allow to stand in the privileged vantage point of authority over our values - tradition, heritage, experience, reason, utility, humanism or some other -ism?  It should be the truth of God's word-the Bible and the words and person of Christ.  It matters what informs, conditions, shapes, and empowers those values.  The behavior arising from the values, the motives driven by those values, will bear the imprint of the authority over those values.  The resulting behavior will be determined by the authority we choose.

It matters what you believe ...

Good Morning Warriors,

I lead a group of leaders through heart of a Warrior – Phase I every other Thursday.  I thought it might be helpful to recap some of what we did in our last meeting for the benefit of the readers of this blog. 

With regard to beliefs ...

Edward Wimberly (Recalling Our Own Stories, San Francisco, CA:  Josey-Bass Publishers, 1997) describes personal myths (beliefs) and ministerial myths (beliefs) encountered by many leaders.  You will notice the subtlety of them as you read through them.  Can you identify those myths (beliefs) you are particularly susceptible to?

Personal Myths

Rejection:  The belief that you are unwanted, even unwelcome in life which creates the propensity of "trying harder" in order to "measure up."

Powerlessness:  The conviction of no real personal power or agency to impact personal life or the lives of others, environment and the world.  Persistently see others as possessing more power than oneself.  No room for personal choice.

Loner:  High sense of distrust of relationships and the world.  Desires intimacy, but also perceives intimacy as a threat.

GoodBoy/Girl:  Must be good at all times.  No room for anger or the freedom to make mistakes.  Perfection is the goal.

Invulnerability:  Perceives vulnerability as a sign of weakness.  Must maintain the "strong leader" image.

Sole Responsibility:  What happens in life depends solely on "me."  No one else can do it as well as the person holding this myth.

Savior:  Seen as the "peacemaker" or "stabilizer" when things are out of control, which becomes a primary source of identity and function.

Aloofness:  The belief that emotional closeness is dangerous.  Must remain at a "safe" distance from over involvement with a community, or significant other.

Ministerial Myths

Overfunctioning:  Common among religious care givers.  It is "our" responsibility to make sure our relationships are maintained and enhanced.

Self-Sufficiency:  The notion that to be efficient the job must be done alone.  The perception that "my way is the best way."  No need for others.

Sacrificing Joy:  The belief that having fun is frivolous and a waste of time, when one could be doing more.  Hard work ethic to a fault.

Pleasing:  Sacrifice of the person in order to please the other which is tied to the need to be accepted and approved by the other.

Under-functioning:  Perceives oneself as the victim and therefore will not be able to overcome the victimization and reach potential.  "Why try" mentality.

Quotes

Beliefs are the rails upon which our lives run.  We almost always act according to what we really believe.  it doesn't matter much what we say we believe or what we want others to think we believe.  When the rubber meets the road, we act out our actual beliefs most of the time.  That is why behavior is such a good indicator of a person's beliefs.  J.P. Moreland, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology

In order for anyone - Christian, Marxist, or Moslem - to make informed moral decisions, it is necessary to have a set of values concerning human life.  Those values are determined by beliefs, and those beliefs are stated as doctrines.  Christian doctrine thus provides a fundamental framework for Christian living.  Alister McGrath - Understanding Doctrine 1990, p. 2

Other Questionable Beliefs

"everything is right somewhere and nothing is right everywhere."  High School Sociology Text, Dan Taylor, CT 1999

All major religions are equally valid approaches to God, equally approved by God.  Trip to the Holocaust Museum, Dan Taylor, CT 1999

"No one is ever totally wrong or totally right."  A.J. Conyers, Truett Theological Seminary

Unquestionable Beliefs

Imago Dei (Image of God)

Human dignity

Infinite worth of the individual human soul

Please realize that important as beliefs are it is far more important what informs, conditions, shapes, and empowers those beliefs.  What do we allow to stand in the privileged vantage point of authority over our beliefs - tradition, heritage, experience, reason, utility, humanism or some other -ism?  It should be the truth of God's word-the Bible and the words and person of Christ.  It matters what informs, conditions, shapes, and empowers those beliefs.  The behavior arising from our beliefs, the values, worldview, and motives driven by those beliefs, will bear the imprint of the authority over those beliefs.  The resulting behavior will be determined by the authority we choose.