What is virtue? It’s not a common word used today.
1. (n.) Moral excellence; value; merit; meritoriousness; worth. Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary
The word for “virtue” in 2 Peter 1:5 NIV is “goodness“.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;”
The reason for adding goodness to faith is found in verse 8 of the same chapter of 2 Peter.
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Adding virtue helps us be more effective and productive in our spiritual growth. That is, our growth in the knowledge of Christ Jesus.
Here are some questions for discussion:
- What are some examples of virtue?
- What does the Bible say about these virtues?
- Why is virtue important to the Christian?
- Conclusion
What are some examples of virtue?
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Paul is explaining how we should behave as Christians. He lists the attributes of Christ for us to follow. Of course, we have to depend on the Holy Spirit to guide and give us the strength to do them.
What does the Bible say about these virtues?
1. Compassion:
Philippians 1:2-3 NIV “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Paul is talking to the Philippians about discord in the church. He is urging them to use the tenderness and compassion of Christ to solve this issue by being unified in His love.
2. Kindness:
Proverbs 11:17 NIV “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”
When we are kind to others, we are showing them Jesus Christ. Scripture says not only are we aiding others, but benefitting ourselves by growing in Christ Jesus, unlike those who are cruel. They are hurting themselves in the long run.
3. Humility
James 4:6 NIV “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”
“The words “he gives us more grace” are taken from Pr 3:34, quoted later in this verse. The meaning of vv.4-6 is that God has set a high standard for wholehearted love and devotion on the part of his people as they resist the appeal of the world, but he gives grace that is greater than the rigorous demand he has made. This assurance is documented from Proverbs, the point of which is in the second clause.
The reference to “the humble” constitutes the theme for vv.7-10, where James pleads for submission to God. They should be the people who willingly submit to God’s desire for them rather than proudly insist on satisfying their own desires for pleasure (cf. vv.1-3).” Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament
The church was creating havoc with arguments. These were based on their own opinions and what they wanted. James is telling them to submit to God and not the world. Our attitude should always be laced with humility. Honoring God for who He is creates a humble heart within us.
4. Gentleness:
Philippians 4:5 NIV “ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Paul talks about gentleness. It’s not just to our Christian friends that we extend this virtue but to everyone. “The Lord is near” is a reference to Christ coming again.
5. Patience:
Proverbs 15:18 NIV “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
This is a good one. How true this is. Whenever I lose my temper, it always make it worse. If I would depend on the Lord more, be patient and wait till I’m in the right state of mind, and then speak. Or better yet, not reply at all. God’s wisdom works.
6. Carry Other’s Burdens:
Galatians 6:2 NIV “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Here’s one we don’t think of as often as a virtue. As Christians, we are to support our brothers and sisters. This means to help them when they are in need.
It can be simply encouraging them when they’re down, giving a call, sending a card. Maybe giving our time to make a meal or a visit. It should always include prayer.
7. Love:
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 NIV “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
This one is so important, that Christ Jesus says everything is based on it. The first 2 commandments are about loving God and our neighbor above everything. This passage contains what love is about.
Why is virtue important to the Christian?
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Virtue gives us a look into what God sees and wants us to do to help create His kingdom. We are new creatures in Christ Jesus and have the ability through the Holy Spirit to show the world more about Him. We are His ambassadors, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to the world through us.
Conclusion
Virtue is a step in growing spiritually in the Lord. When we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, we can’t help but grow.
The purpose in growing spiritually is really for others. The closer to Jesus we become, the more they see Him in us. Not just that, but we reach out to help others and lead them to Jesus. Growing spiritually is following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ and virtue helps in that endeavor.
Please leave any questions or comments below. -Jackie
Leave a Reply