“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Every year at Weston Christian Academy we select a theme and Bible verse. This year’s theme is “Encourage and Build Up” from the above verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. And although primarily for our students, the theme and verse are also for our administrators, teachers, and staff who in many ways create the culture of our school. Leadership always influences culture!
We hear that word a lot – culture. What is culture and why is it so important, especially to a Christian school? Culture is the shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterize a people group or an organization; however, it can also be defined as the act or process of developing intellectual and moral excellence through education.
As the headmaster of a Christian school and most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ, “developing intellectual and moral excellence through education” is paramount. Not just intellectual excellence alone, but intellectual and moral excellence.
While some secular schools instill in their students the drive for intellectual excellence, very few create an environment that promotes moral excellence. Mainly, because true moral excellence can only come through a relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s the dividing line between the sacred and the secular. As Christians, our primary purpose in life is to love Christ, love and obey His Word, and glorify God in word and deed – this leads to a life of moral excellence. Not perfection – excellence. Listen to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:31:
“And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
What is this most excellent way, Paul? He shows us in God’s Word as he gives the introduction to what is known as the “Love Chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13. The “most excellent way” is a life of love – God’s love (Agape) – the love that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We can only receive God’s love (Agape) when we are born again into the family of God as a child of God and receive the Holy Spirit, God’s love, and eternal life. Listen to Romans 5:5:
“God’s love (Agape) has been poured into our hearts (the hearts of Christians) through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Christians).”
The Holy Spirit, God’s love, and salvation unto eternal life have been given to us by God’s grace when we believe in Christ and born again into God’s family. “For by God’s grace we have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Only Christians can truly live a life of moral excellence – because it supernaturally comes from God’s love and given to believers in Christ. Then, and only then, can we live the most excellent way. God’s love can transform a life – and transform a culture. Beloved, if you ever want to talk about a life that was radically transformed by Christ, I’ll be glad to talk with you about my life. Amazing grace and love!
Paul, knowing this amazing grace and love found only in a relationship in Jesus Christ, writes to empower Christians to “encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Therefore, encourage one another to live the most excellent way – found only in Jesus Christ our Lord.
May God bless you with His grace, love, and truth!