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Virtue
Part I: Series on Virtuous Living
Allan E. McNabb
The apostle Peter commands, "add to your faith virtue" (NKJV,
2 Pet. 1:5). The New American Standard Version translates this Scripture
saying, "in your faith supply moral excellence." "Virtue," in
Second Peter 1:5, means "moral excellence" or "moral
goodness." The aim of this article is to explain the virtuous
character that Christians must possess.
Virtue Begins with Becoming a Christian
Moral excellence begins with diligent faith (2 Pet. 1:5). Since faith
demands hearing and obeying God's word (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1f),
the first step toward moral excellence is obedience to God in repentance
from sin, confession of Christ, and baptism into Christ for the remission
of sins (Acts 2:38; 8:37-38; Rom. 6:3).
At the time we repent, we turn away from sin to obediently serve God.
Therefore, we are baptized making our appeal to God for a good conscience
(1 Pet. 3:21). With a good conscience, we begin a morally excellent
life. Unbelievers, on the other hand, are not morally excellent since
they do not believe and have not appealed to God for a good conscience.
God's Word Sets the Standard for Morality, Virtue
Virtue is moral excellence. God is absolute virtue (excellence, 2
Pet. 1:3). Therefore, God sets the standard for virtue. Since God
has given
us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3), He
has given us the standard for moral excellence in His word (2 Tim.
3:16-17).
Society dictates neither morality nor virtue. We cannot live by the
world's standard of morality and expect to go to heaven (Is. 55:8-9;
1 Cor. 1:18f). A virtuous life is the result of hearing God's word,
believing God's word, and obeying God's word (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 5:9).
When we live according to the law and doctrine of Christ, we are virtuous
(Gal. 6:2; Col. 3:17; 2 Jn. 9).
Christians Grow Spiritually, in Virtue
As a babe in Christ, we feed upon the pure milk of the word and begin
growing spiritually (1 Pet. 2:2). As growing babes, we thoroughly
learn the first principles and move on to perfection (Heb. 5:12f;
2 Tim. 3:16-17). As we grow in knowledge (2 Pet. 1:5), we change
our lives to live according to all that we know about God and His
will. Every time we change to better serve God, we become more virtuous.
As we grow spiritually, we grow in (2 Pet. 1:5):
- faith. Therefore, we become increasingly virtuous.
- knowledge. Therefore, we become increasingly virtuous.
- self-control. Therefore, we become increasingly virtuous.
- perseverance. Therefore, we become increasingly virtuous.
- godliness. Therefore, we become increasingly virtuous.
- brotherly kindness. Therefore, we become increasingly virtuous.
- love. Therefore, we become increasingly virtuous.
In part two of this article, we will investigate the apostle Paul’s
command to think on these things, things that are virtuous.
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