ONE - Righteousness, holiness (that patiently and graciously accepts what is)

The virtue of Enneagram ONE is Christlike Righteousness. Jesus is righteous; he is just and holy. His every word is true, and he is entirely without sin. Jesus’ righteousness is all the more remarkable because he is simultaneously patient and gracious towards sin-ful and unrighteous people. Ponder how the Son of God, holy and righteous, dined and fellowshipped with tax collectors, prostitutes, and unclean lepers. Ponder His patience and grace with us… with you.  As we are being transformed in Christ’s image, we too begin to bear the fruit of a grace-filled righteousness.

TWO - LOVE (that is humble and sacrificial)

The virtue of Enneagram TWO is Christlike Love. God is love. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). That’s exactly what he did by dying on the cross. John 13 says that Jesus showed his disciples the “full extent of his love.” That was referring to the moment Jesus washed the disciples’ feet! He came to serve and not to be served. Jesus’ love was radically humble and sacrificial. He sought and saved us not so we would need him and worship him in return, but out of love and for love and in love. Jesus epitomized this. To become like Christ is to love as Jesus loved, with humility and self-sacrifice. 

THREE - Good works (that glorify God, rather than self)

The virtue of Enneagram THREE is Christlike Fruitfulness. There’s a cloud of witnesses in heaven singing the chorus, “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, Almighty!” (Rev 15). Early in his ministry, Jesus said his food was to do the will of the Father and to finish his work. And near the end of his earthly ministry, he prayed, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you have me to do” (John 17:4). Jesus worked hard, he rested, and the kingdom of God advanced. And he did so without need for anyone’s approval, without seeking glory for himself. As we become more like Christ, the more we eagerly seek to do good works that glorify God, rather than self. 

FOUR - Passion, Creativity (that is self-assured and self-controlled)

The virtue of Enneagram FOUR is Christlike passion and empathy. Jesus is passionate and feels things deeply. When Jesus zealously stormed the temple, he wasn’t overreacting or losing his cool. It sprang forth from deep passion that the temple be a house of prayer for all nations. Temple worship became commercialized, and as a result the Gentiles and the poor had unequal access to worship God. And so Jesus overturned tables and cried out, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” When Lazarus died and his family members were mourning, he was fully aware that a miracle was coming. And yet Jesus still possessed full awareness of the present moment, and deeply moved in spirit, he wept himself. Those nearby were captivated by his empathy, “See how he loved him!” (John 11:33-35) Becoming like Christ is a process that awakens passion, and expands capacity to feel empathy and deep emotions. 

FIVE - Wisdom (that is faith-filled and generous)

The virtue of Enneagram FIVE is Christlike wisdom. Jesus’ wisdom transcends human wisdom. People were astonished by Jesus’ teachings: the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, the way Jesus dodged the traps of the Pharisees. But what set Jesus’ wisdom apart from human wisdom was its expansive and generous nature. Recall the story of Jesus feeding the crowds.  Thousands of people were gathered at a remote place to hear Jesus teach. It was getting late, and people were hungry. The disciples assessed the situation and concluded that they should adjourn ministry and send people on their way. But Jesus calmly responded, “you give them something to eat.” Well you know how the story goes. Five loaves, two fish. We would feel anxious as I’m sure the disciples did. “We don’t have enough!” But Jesus’ wisdom operates with kingdom mathematics, and his response was quite different: “We have more than enough!” He blessed the food, food was distributed, mouths were fed, people got to hang out longer with Jesus, and basketfuls of leftovers were collected. Our human wisdom says when we don’t have enough, withdraw and conserve your resources. Jesus’ wisdom says, the storehouses of heaven are limitless and God Almighty will supply what we think we don’t have. 

SIX - Radical Obedience and Faithfulness (that is hopeful and courageous)

The virtue of Enneagram SIX is Christlike Faithfulness. Jesus is faithful. He modeled for us the virtue of radical obedience. He was constantly paying attention and attuned to what God the Father was doing. And even though he was well aware of the dangers and the cost of doing the Father’s will, he never wavered. Recall the moment in the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) As we become more like Jesus, we too become laser-focused on what God is doing around us. And rather than becoming fearful of bad things that could happen to us, we, like Jesus, courageously and willingly submit our wills to God. 

SEVEN - Joyfulness (that remains sober-minded and present)

The virtue of Enneagram SEVEN is Christlike joy. I used to misperceive God as a cosmic killjoy. I imagined God was stern and stoic, generally displeased with people and with the world. But what if Jesus, in fact, was and is joy-filled? In John 15, Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”(John 15:9-11). Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith, for the joy set before him [he] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What’s unique about Jesus’ joy was its connection with sorrow and suffering. It is not the absence of sorrow and suffering, but joy is inextricably linked to it. “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy…Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:20-22).

EIGHT - Power (that is merciful and empowers the powerless)

To understand the virtue of Enneagram EIGHT we look to how Jesus wielded power and authority. Without question, Jesus is all-powerful. Jesus showed his authority over the winds and the waves, over diseases and demons. Satan tempted Jesus with power, but Jesus didn’t fall for it. He never grasped for power. And even though he could defeat his enemies swiftly and effortlessly, Jesus showed mercy. He used his power not to overpower, but to lift up the powerless. When soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter took up arms and believed that the time to fight had arrived. An ear was chopped off, then reattached, and Jesus reminded us all, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” Jesus was all-powerful. But he willingly emptied himself of it, taking the lowly position of a child and a servant and a crucified lamb. As we become like Christ, we learn to wield power the way Jesus did.

NINE - Peace (that perseveres under stress and conflict)

The virtue of Enneagram NINE is Christlike peace or stability. Jesus is our Prince of Peace. He is our reconciler. He reconciled us to the Father, and he reconciled us to one another by destroying the walls of hostility between us, between Jews and Gentiles, blacks and whites, rich and poor. Jesus offers us a peace that surpasses anything the world can offer. Jesus beckons us to enter his rest, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”—Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus’ peace is not simply about changing our external conditions. Yes, Jesus commanded the storm, “Peace, be still.” But Jesus’ peace is one that abides amidst the storm. While the disciples panicked, Jesus was already perfectly at peace, asleep at the stern of the boat. As we become like Christ, and possess His persevering peace, we too remain at peace, even when the winds and waves crash upon us, and when fires engulf us. 

What is standing out to you? 

Which of Christ’s virtues most draw your attention today?

Which of Christ’s virtues has the Spirit been cultivating within you?