The Cardinal Virtues

In his book, Mere Christianity, CS Lewis outlines the four cardinal virtues, "those which all civilized people recognize."* They are Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Fortitude. Or, to paraphrase Lewis' interpretation, Exercised Intelligence, Moderation, Fairness and Courage. My question is this: What could the world look like if Christian faith communities committed themselves to living out these virtues?

Now clearly, there is more to devoting your life to following Jesus than just incarnating these four virtues. But think of this: If these are the principles of right living which civilized society recognizes, how many people, Christians or non, really live them out? And if everyone recognizes them as the right way to live, then why are Christians not making it their first priority to become standard bearers for these cardinal virtues.

In a society where Christians are seen as part of the problem, we must instead become a guidepost to the solution. We need to be inviting them to a life they are excited about living, and we need to model that life in a way that is inviting. What if, when people looked at Christians, they saw a group of people leading the charge against hunger and poverty? What if they saw a group of people committed to being the best they could in their respective fields or positions? What if they saw a group of people who ate, drank, slept, purchased, worked and played enough but never too much?

What if that is what it meant to be a Christian from the world's perspective? Who could help but be intrigued by that group of people? Who could help but be drawn to it?

Just imagine what the world could be, and how we could make it more like what God originally intended.

*Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne. New York. 1952