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True Virtue

Virtue signaling—it is the outward display of personal “goodness” for the purpose of showcasing one’s moral correctness on a matter. For instance, while many people base their sanitary mask decisions on a perceived threat or lack thereof, some others—from never-maskers to ever-maskers—parade their choice as a public assertion of personal virtue. Or what about the CEO who publicly postures diversity as a corporate value, even though it bears no evidence in his private hiring practices? Virtue signaling is a thing, and it can show up in our Christian witness.

Have you ever heard—or uttered—this kind of recounting of personal witness: “People at work know I’m a Christian”? I’ve heard and said this many times. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with others knowing we are believers—we should live in such a way that is consistent with our faith and freedom in Christ Jesus, “[shining] as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.”1 Jesus himself taught the crowd gathered on the Mount to hear Him, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”2 Likewise, Paul taught the Philippians, “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”3 Yet it is not enough for people simply to know we are believers. If anything, showcasing our faith before others without holding out to them the Source of our hope and the promise of their own further separates us from each other. It signals a contentment to appear virtuous before others, yet with little regard for their ultimate good.

Our witness to the world is our changed life, but our message to them is that theirs can change, too. For “to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”4 And when Christ is born in us, we have nothing to prove for He is our everything, nothing to hoard for His abundance is limitless, nothing to hide and everything to proclaim. Jesus is, in us, true virtue. He turns our inward focus outward. “Yes, I am a believer, and you can be, too.”

Father, You lavishly pour Yourself out for our good. Lead us by Your Spirit today, that we would share with others the hope they may have in Christ Jesus, Your Son. In His name we pray. Amen.

1 Philippians 2:15-16 ESV
2 Matthew 5: 16
3 Philippians 1:27
4 John 1:12 ESV

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The Doors

Did you ever walk briskly toward a door, naturally expecting to open it and walk through in stride, but it was locked? Face plant! OK, full body plant. It’s bad enough when no one is looking, even worse when you leave an audience laughing like a night at the improv. Sharing the love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ with others can be like this in a way—some doors of the soul swing wide in welcome, while others lock out the words of life. As I wrote in my first book, Christ in Me, “Many times over the years, I’ve turned away from clear calls to witness, share, or serve and felt awful about it. Other times, I’ve tried to force my own opportunities and felt stupid. But isn’t it exhilarating when we see a God-opened door, take a deep spiritual breath of trust, and then step into the moment? Those are the times we savor. Watch for them.”1

We must realize this: it is God who opens doors in those who would welcome Him, and He accompanies us when we step through them as couriers of the gospel message of new and forever life in Christ. To this end, Paul appealed to the Colossian church for their prayer support: “Pray for us . . .  that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”2 It is God who opens hearts, and it is He who gives us clear words to reach them.

To the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “A great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”3 What can we conclude about “a great door” that has opened, but that it was once impenetrably shut? So we take courage when encountering closed doors, for they may open at any time. Pray for them. Watch for them. Then step inside.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.4—Jesus

Father, You open gospel doors in hearts all around us, every day. Grace us to watch for them, to wait for them, and to step through them with the words You give us to speak. Thank You for those who spoke Your words of life to us. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Paul Nordman, Christ in Me, (Maitland, Florida: Xulon Press), 84.
2 Colossians 4:3-4
3 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
4 Revelation 3:20

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Testing 1-2-3

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. —Proverbs 17:3

Perhaps nothing produces a greater groan among students than these six words: “We’re going to have a test.” For many, this means study time (or avoiding it) and the prospect of missing their mark yet again. Moreover, for the “fixed mindsets”1 among us, tests results are self-defining, our very identity hinging on peer comparisons. But here is what we overlook when focusing only on our rigors and our errors: tests reveal and affirm what we do know and what we are doing well. IT teams test constantly to find glitches, yes, but also to verify what is functioning as it should. Engineers and manufacturers test routinely, both to assure customer safety and to improve it. Lab results pinpoint real problems and rule out mere possibilities. Tests reveal both progress and potential.

Then should we be surprised that God tests us? After all, isn’t our eternal soul more important than computer programs, consumer products and clinical prognoses that vanish over time? Marveled Job before God, “What is man that You magnify him, and that You are concerned about him, that You examine him every morning and try him every moment?”2 Even in his affliction—and perhaps especially so—this man of legendary suffering understood that tests are ultimately for our good and our glory. “How so?” we ask. First, testing grows us up. “Consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”3 Second, the more we suffer as Christ did, the more closely we relate with Him—we “participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that [we] may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”4 Then as we press on through life’s challenges, our tests yield their intended result, for “blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”5

What temptations once snared you, but not so much any longer? I’m guessing there are some. Have you come to trust God more and doubt Him less as you navigated life’s trials with Him? I’ll bet you have. Whether God initiates tests or merely allows them, they serve His purposes and work for our good, for tests reveal our progress and lead us toward our potential, both displaying His handiwork in our lives. Thank God for tests.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.7 In Christ I pray. Amen.

1 See more on “fixed” and “growth” mindsets in last week’s post: “The Mindset of Christ.”
2 Job 7:17-18 ESV
3 James 1:2-4
4 1 Peter 4:12-13
5 James 1:12
6 Psalm 139:23-24