Chris Webb
03/28/16
As we continue to learn how to be partakers of the divine nature, consider virtue as an essential quality. Faith in God is the foundation on which to build. As Peter says, we’re now to “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue” (2 Peter 1:5).
Virtue is moral excellence or goodness. According to the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, virtue “indicates the highest good, the social uprightness that evokes recognition, merit, and honor.” It goes on to say virtue, “signifies the moral excellence distinctive of those who have been cleansed of their sins: it builds on faith and generates godliness and love” (pg. 1512).
It follows that a virtuous life will be the result of faith; which is described as, “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). People who know and are convicted by the words of God will shape their lives toward His will. The Bible isn’t filled with vain examples and commands, but instead the words of life that are meant to refine us, “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Philippians 2:15-16). Christians are to live uprightly and walk evenly on the path set for eternity. We need to look no further than Jesus “the founder and perfecter of our faith” and His virtuous teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (Hebrews 12:2).
As we think about living a moral life, we can’t ignore a couple of big bad banes that often threaten it. One such bane is anger. Anger loosens the tongue to speak hurtful words and the hands to make rash and grievous attacks. Jesus understands this and teaches, “that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:22). It is better to stomp the spark than to battle the fire. Therefore, we must control our anger before we let it get out of control. And though it isn’t practical to get rid of all that angers us, we can follow the commands of Paul, who says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). Whatever is bothering us, we must either get rid of it or remove ourselves entirely from it. Guarding our hearts from anger and its lust for destruction helps us to keep a level head.
Another bane to moral excellence is sexual impurity. Continuing in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). This statement easily applies to everyone. It is good for us to see how our thoughts can carry us to do the gravest of sins when we forfeit integrity. Christ’s words are especially problematic as we live in an overly sexualized society. His words challenge us to turn our eyes if need be–our hands, feet, and our thoughts–from whatever tempts us to lust after another. This means we need to pay attention to the music we listen to, and the shows and movies we watch. Whether we’re browsing the Internet or The New York Times best-selling romance, we need to discern whether such things are leading us to lust. If they are, we must do away with them and fill our time with good things. Jesus teaches that sexual purity begins in our thoughts, and as we strive to be virtuous people, we will do well to guard our minds from dangerous thoughts.
One cannot have moral excellence without self-control. Controlling these dangerous habits and others is vital in maintaining a life of virtue. In fact, it is in controlling them that we become virtuous and more like our Master, Jesus. We guard our hearts from the many dangers of this world and cast them away because we’re able to discern God’s will for us. As Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). His will is that all would be saved, and in so doing would break free from the moral depravity of this world and cling to the sound teachings of Christ.
Once we apply these teachings, we begin to live a life that is very different; a life of power and peace, a life of virtue. Therefore, as partakers of the divine nature, we take in Paul’s instruction to the Philippians, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). These are essential attitudes and actions that supplement our faith and help us to be the people that God wants. May God continue to bless us and our efforts for a life of virtue.