Passing the Baton (Part 2)

Posted on May 7, 2023 by Tom Chimento

Our nation is currently struggling as virtue and moral excellence continue to decline.  Benjamin Franklin was once quoted as saying "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." This statement rings true today in our own land. In truth, we should need only one master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our nation can be changed, not by government programs but by incorporating God into every area of our life and allowing Him to replace hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. This reality is what must be passed on to the next generation.

As Christians we desire to leave a legacy to our children and really to all those who come after us. What greater inheritance can we leave than that of virtue. So, what is the definition of virtue? Well, virtues are character traits that demonstrate a person's moral excellence. Most fathers and mothers today mistakenly think of inheritance only in a financial sense. Somewhere we picked up the idea that inheritance equals money. This is surely not the case. Jesus left us an amazing inheritance and it has nothing to do with money.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Paul the apostle of Jesus left us an inheritance as He penned much of the new testament by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is also noteworthy that the apostle Peter lists virtue as the first thing that a Christian should strive to add to his faith, implying that this combination of faith and virtue provides a solid foundation upon which we can build a spiritual house (II Peter 1:5) We must reevaluate inheritance in light of Gods word. Let's continue with some additional virtues that can help the next generation become victorious. We have already touched on two of them in the last post, kindness and love.

Honesty  

Honesty is the quality of always speaking the truth and being totally authentic, straightforward, and transparent in our words and actions. Honesty is a wonderful virtue. What happened to the days when a person's word was his bond? Contracts were made verbally with a handshake. Although I don't recommend doing that today, proves the fact of how far we have fallen from honesty. Our TV and media are filled with shows where lying, cheating and dishonesty is normal and sometimes applauded to the point where it doesn't phase us any longer. Admit it or not, being honest has become the exception rather than the norm. Honesty is also the foundation for trust in a relationship, and trust is necessary for a relationship to function and thrive. "If we are to be truly honest people, we must learn to prize honesty more highly than we prize our reputation or our comfort. "-Todd Pruitt

for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man. 2 Cor. 8:21

Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 1 Peter 3:10

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Ephesians 4:25

The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him! Proverbs 20:7

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Proverbs 10:9

Giving  

Giving is another one of those virtues where many think that it is all about money. It is not! God the Father gave His only Son so that we can become part of His family. History tells us that most of the Apostles literally gave there lives for their faith. After being filled with the Holy Spirit Peter and John walked by a lame man who was looking to them hoping to receive alms when Peter proclaims, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” This is the type of giving we should key in on. Giving whatever God has given us for the sake of others and for the advancement of the Kingdom. This is well pleasing in God's sight. Many in this generation will not lift a finger unless they receive some type of compensation. If we want our children to live a joy filled life, we need to pass on this important virtue of charity. "...give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. Luke 6:38

Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. Luke 11:39-41

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18

Contentment  

In life, we will surely have ups and downs, but our contentment cannot be on our circumstances or we are actually setting ourselves up for discontentment. Learning how to be content in every circumstance is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. But with His help we can rise far above our circumstances and view things from God's perspective. Our younger generation seems to be struggling with finding contentment. Part of the reason may have to do with social media. The youth are posting things in order to put their best foot forward. Others look at these posts and get discontented with how their own life is progressing in comparison. In reality, most of the youth today are struggling to find their identity. They need encouragement to find contentment in how God created them. They are fearfully and wonderfully made without error by a loving Father. He has brilliant plans for their lives, to give them a future and a hope.

for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Humility  

Humility is the last virtue we will consider even though there are many more positive virtues that we can talk about such as diligence, patience, gentleness and others. Humility is so very important since God says that He opposes the proud! We do not want to do anything that God opposes or we may find ourselves fighting against God. Not a good strategy. Besides, there are wonderful promises in His Word for those who remain humble including an outpouring of wisdom, grace, riches, honor and life, just to name a few. Another benefit of humility is that it strengthens relationships. If we desire healthy relationships we need to remain humble, teachable and correctable.

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to  love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

In closing, I hope we all take serious our mandate to pass on these virtues to the next generation. We want to ensure that our children will stand on a firm foundation as they traverse the challenges of life that lie ahead of them.

 

Passing the Baton (Part 1)

 

Posted on May 6, 2023 by Tom Chimento

Passing the baton to the next generation is an essential aspect of our Christian walk. Psalms 71:18 says “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come“ We can’t hand off something we ourselves are not carrying, so it is important to recognize areas where we fall short and allow God to finish His work in us. If we seek after Him, He promises to finish what He started. Keep in mind that an inheritance of virtue has greater value than one of money or property alone. Wisdom tells us this:

Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. Ecclesiastes 7:11-12

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 3:13-15

There has been an erosion of virtues in our generation. Even the simple virtue of kindness seems to have disappeared from many people. Why is this happening? I could come up with a few reasons. The breakdown of the family unit, the current education system, disrespect for authority, entitlement, selfishness, laziness, hopelessness are a few things that come to mind.

We understand that all good virtues emanate from God Himself. We don’t have to go much further than to look at the life of Jesus since He embodies virtue. God is not asking us to do something He has not already done. It is His desire to see His children walking in righteousness, being transformed into the image of His son Jesus so that He would be glorified and we would live a fruitful life.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Let’s take a quick look at some virtues that we pray we can hand off to the next generation.

Kindness  

Sometimes we look at kindness as an option and not a virtue. We are kind to those we like and unkind to those we don’t like. This attitude is not one we want to pass on as it falls short of God’s heart for others as well as ourselves. We are not talking about flattery either, but true kindness that comes from the heart of a transformed life. You can be kind while still telling the truth. There is no need to water down the truth for the sake of kindness although we are exhorted to speak the truth in love. It was the kindness of God when Jesus rebuked the religious leaders. I’m sure He was hoping that they would repent since His heart is that all should come to repentance. We may look at it as harsh but it is the kindness of God that leads people to repentance. (see Romans 2:4) This a good reason we should express kindness to everyone. God can use our kindness to lead others to repentance.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13

Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off. Romans 11:22

Love  

I wonder what goes through the minds of people in this generation when you speak about love. We abuse this word so much in our society that its true meaning has gotten lost. They are usually equating love to a romantic love or sensual love. In Christian circles many often use the term love as a cliché without understanding its true meaning.

So what does love really mean? Love has more to do with your response and relationship to others than it does with feeling. One can say “I love you” and really think they mean it but still treat you terribly. Others can tell you how much you mean to them but when a disagreement arises they separate themselves. Is that love? Absolutely not! Let’s not deceive ourselves into thinking that we can talk our way into love. Genuine love has more to do with attitudes and actions than what we say. Here is a list from 1Corinthians 13:4-8 on genuine love.

• Being patient

• Being kind

• Not envying

• Not boasting

• Not arrogant

• Not rude

• Not insisting on its own way

• Not irritable

• Not resentful

• Does not rejoice at wrongdoings

• Rejoices in the Truth

• Bears all things

• Hopes all things

• Endures all things

• Never fails

This is an example of how God views love. The list has much more to do with our character than our feelings. I don’t usually care for lists because it could wrongly encourage people to use it as a checklist for being right with God. Remember that without the love of God being poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit we would not be able to do anything on this list in a genuine way. We love because God loved us first. This virtue of love is crucial to pass on to the next generation. God says that in the end times the love of many will grow cold. Let’s not allow this to happen within our sphere of influence and on our watch.

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

…to be continued in next post