VIRTUOUS

Who can find a VIRTUOUS wife? For her worth is far above rubies – Proverbs 31:10

2 Peter 1:5a says, “…giving all diligence, ADD to your faith virtue…” God wants your Faith to be VIRTUOUS. Christianity is a Plus-Life; a life of progressive additions. God believes in Added Value. He never meant for you to be spiritually stagnant, mentally sluggish or relationally lethargic. He wants your Faith-Life to develop, improve, and grow to full maturity. Is your faith maturing? Is it bearing fruits? Is your faith working or waning? Is it strong and vibrant or weak and stagnant? God desires that we earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). In order to achieve this, our individual faith must make provision for additional practical virtues. We need to grow beyond the “bread-and-butter” kind of faith, which is always aimed at possessing and acquiring, but never developing. That kind of faith is good for nothing.

Virtue is Value-added, which could refer to one or more of these: decency, excellence, goodness, honesty, integrity, merit, nobleness, purity, and worth. Virtue describes whatever results in an excellent report (Phil.4:8). Imagine a sportsman who, though well-endowed physically and talented in his game, is found wanting in credibility or decency, due perhaps to a case of drug-addiction or sexual molestation. Such a person unfortunately lacks virtue. He may bag all the best medals, but afterwards, will destroy himself with the same. He would end up in the “gutter of life” like strong but spiritually-shallow Samson. That is the nature of Faith without Virtue.

Ask yourself: Can my faith be trusted or can it be faulted? In exercising faith; is my “Yes” yes, and my “No” no? James 5:12b says, “…But let your, “Yes,” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.” Why add Virtue to Faith?

Virtue will dress, condition, decorate, and repackage your Faith-Life presentably before God and men. Here are few aspects of life that may require the added Value of Virtue:

• Behaviour or Manner of life: “love…does not behave rudely…” (1Cor.13:5); “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1Cor.14:40).

• Communication or Speech: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph.4:29); “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col.4:6).

• Conduct or Relationships: “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly, we behaved ourselves among you who believe” (1The.2:10).

• In all things: “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Tit.2:7-8).

Proverbs 31:10-31 paints the Portrait of Virtue through the admirable Model of a Virtuous Wife. The virtuous woman serves God with all of her heart, mind and soul; seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. She is a respectful, trustworthy helpmeet. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. She cares for her health and prepares healthy food for her family. She is charitable, serving her husband, her family, friends, and neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She spends money wisely to meet her family needs. She works willingly and diligently with her hands. She is a hospitable homemaker, who creates an atmosphere of warmth and love for family and guests. She uses her time wisely, and is a person of worth, who uses her creativity to craft beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones.

Your life must not remain on the plateau of mediocrity or average existence. You can be better than you’ve ever been. In what specific aspects of life do you need to experience added-value, growth, improvement or imbibe destiny-distinguishing Values and Virtues? Commit these to the Lord, and begin to witness His Mighty Hand and dynamic Move in your life.