What are some of the main areas where you need to grow spiritually? Do you need more knowledge and understanding of Scripture? Do you need more faith, patience, and self-control? Do you need more kindness, love, zeal, and courage to share your faith? What about needing more virtue?

It seems that virtue is a forgotten spiritual quality (2 Peter 1:5). Many fail to understand what virtue is and its significance in the life of a Christian.

As we continue considering Peter’s ingredients for spiritual growth (2 Peter 1:1-11), let’s appreciate what Scripture tells us about the value of virtue.

What is virtue?

  • Virtue is goodness. It is character that is noble, righteous, and excellent.
  • The word is only used four times in the New Testament (Philippians 4:8; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3, 5). God’s character is excellent, and He called His people to imitate Him. He has called His children to live by His excellent standard and reflect His excellence to the world.
  • Disciples have a responsibility to be holy, different, and set apart from the wickedness of the world (1 Peter 1:14-16).

What does virtue require?

  • It requires pure living (1 Peter 2:11).
  • It requires pure speech (Ephesians 4:29).
  • It requires pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8).
  • It requires honorable behavior in relationships (1 Peter 2:12). Christians must submit to the government and treat their spouses and brethren right (1 Peter 2:13-3:9).
  • It requires moral courage (1 Peter 4:3-5). Joseph, Daniel, Esther, the apostles, and Noah are examples of servants of God who possessed moral courage (Genesis 39:9; Daniel 1:8; Acts 5:29). Christians must be willing to always stand for what is right!

Who does virtue impact?

  • It impacts God. God is pleased with those who submit to His standard for righteous living.
  • It impacts the world (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). It has the power to make the world curious about the faith of God’s people. It can lead them to begin thinking about God, the gospel and desiring to be part of the family of God.
  • It impacts our family. The virtuous woman impacted her family in a positive way (Proverbs 31:28-31). A  Christian woman’s virtue can help draw her unbelieving husband to the Lord (1 Peter 3:1-2).  Children with virtue can bring honor and joy to their parents (Proverbs 10:1).

How do we acquire virtue?

  • We must seek it from the right standard (Psalm 119:9-11, 105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
  • We must practice the right standard (James 1:22; Matthew 7:16-20).
  • We must live unselfishly (Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:20). We must live for the Lord and not ourselves!
  • We must imitate the example of virtuous people (1 Corinthians 11:1). Virtuous people include faithful disciples in this congregation, the apostles, and the Lord Jesus.

Conclusion:

The Lord takes notice of all those who possess virtue, and He will reward them.