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“But, nice guys finish last!”

The scandalous carnage of our present culture is the fruit of decades of leadership lacking in moral excellence.

ARETE - the fruit of saving faith

Derivation of its meaning and source is in the divine nature of God.

• Who is excellent at moral goodness (1 Peter 2:9)—“the energetic excellency of God” (J.F.B.)
• The unseen substance of which the universe was created in its essence is arete (virtue)-(Heb.11:3)
• The divine quality by which we are called (2 Peter 1:3)

Effective and productive Christians make every effort to be excellent at being “good.”

• Acquiring this quality is what it means to “participate in the divine nature”
• Advertising yourself as God’s brand requires zeal and seriousness about moral excellence—if you “have these things”, “do these things”

How do you make every effort to add to your total trust in Christ (faith), the consistent moral goodness of Christ?

It takes faith to believe that the cost of being good is worth it when the rewards of bad are so immediate and popular.

• You have the “precious promise” of the “law of the Spirit” at work in you (Rom. 8:2-4)—rely on Him
• Train in moral goodness by obeying God’s morally excellent handbook—the Bible (Ps. 119:9-16; Phil.4:8,9; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)—transformation of your thought life
• Pray for opportunities to “be good”, to do good, for eyes to see and seize opportunities (Gal.6:10)—choose goodness
• Seek forgiveness for failure and not denial (1 Jn. 1:9)--repent

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