Signaling Christ's Virtue

Criticism abounds these days. Not only do people seem to have opinions about anything and everything, they are also finding ways of “signaling” it to the world. This is often done through the means of pins, flags, website banners, bumperstickers, and social media posts. Often, this is as deep as the matter goes, hence the term “virtue signaling.” This phrase is often used as a term of derision for those whose “virtue” tends to only run as deep as their pin or post.

I was thinking about this more after I heard a phrase from one of the greatest economic and intellectual minds of our modern age, Thomas Sowell. He said, “Abstract moral decisions are much easier to make on paper or in a classroom in later centuries than in the midst of the dilemmas actually faced by those living in very different circumstances, including serious dangers.”

Being the season of Lent, I heard these words and my mind was flooded with thoughts of the Apostle Peter. What Mr. Sowell describes is exactly what Peter lived out in a very short amount of time on Maundy Thursday. That night, Peter was a very shallow signaler of his own virtue.

The abstract idea of his false virtue is seen in the final divine classroom of the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday night. There was no immediate consequence for Peter’s empty bravado and hubris as he declared he would never betray Jesus but would even die for him (Mt. 26:35). Even in the Garden of Gethsemane later that night, Peter ignorantly devolved into the thinking that violence and rebellion was actually going to solve the great injustice Jesus faced (Mt. 26:51-54). But then in Caiaphas’ courtyard, when real consequences for his words and behavior stared Peter in his face, he crumbled in fear and denial (Mt. 26:69-75).

To think you would never have done what Peter did is to fall into the same hubris. To ask, “How could he?” shows that you have a long way to go in considering your own lack of true virtue. Instead of asking “How could Peter?” you really should be asking, “How could I…?” You see, when we try to signal our own virtue, we make a mess of things. Empty and boisterous words. Violence and destruction. And finally, cowardice when true bravery is to simply stand with the truth in peace and love.

Now, please understand that there is nothing necessarily wrong with pins, flags, website banners, bumperstickers, and social media posts signaling what you deem to be a virtuous cause. But then, those things should be backed up with letting your light shine through a Christian life which is characterized by Signaling Christ’s Virtue. If you don’t, then your virtue is just as shallow as the Pharisees’. I’d argue you don’t need any of these worldly signals or symbols as they can often be misunderstood or get in the way of Signaling Christ’s Virtue, even when those earthly symbols are backed up with faithful Christian love and a confession of Christ. The devil is often using these things to create more division than any unity we are creating through signaling our own virtue. 

Instead, simply “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). Let people see Christ in you and working through you. Signal Christ’s Virtue by telling people of His virtue that is pure and saving. Tell them about the One who perfectly loves all people equally and has saved all people equally. Tell them about the One who forgives all our false virtue, like that of Peter, which then enables us to live in the virtue of Christ who sets us free to live in true bravery which stands on His truth in peace and love. It is only by Signaling Christ’s Virtue that anyone will give glory to God our Father who is in heaven both here on earth and forever in heaven.

Pastor Ben Enstad

St. John Evangelical Lutheran, Valmy