Virtue- A 4 Minute Sermon
Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
Contributed by Dr. Paul E. Toms
Senior Pastor (Retired), ParkStreetChurch, Boston, MA
April 2005
Biblical Virtue
Virtue is an old fashion word and one doesn't hear it used often today. The dictionary reminds us that it means, "the quality of moral excellence, a worthy ideal, preferable quality in a person." Alright, that's fine, but what does it mean? We sometimes speak of the "virtue" of our work, or the "virtue" of saving money, or of helping people in need, or serving humanity someway.
The Bible uses several words that are translated "virtue." In both the Old and New Testament the word often means, "strength of mind or body." In the New Testament, it often is expressed as "power." For example: In Mark 5:30, a woman touches Jesus' clothes and "at once Jesus realized that power (virtue) had gone out of him." Or, Phil. 4:8, after a long list of desirable characteristics, Paul finishes by saying, "If there be any virtue (KJV) lofty (Ber) excellence (RSV), cherish the thought of these things"(Wey). Also, in 2 Peter 1:3, the KJV says, "through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." What does it mean to be called to virtue? Or as other translations have it, called to "excellence, a manifestation of his goodness, perfection" Is all this possible? Can we really live virtuous lives in this world? Well, that's the standard put before us.
Someone has put it this way, "Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know" (Charles Kingsley, Leadership, Vol. 6, no. 3).
In a book, The Divine Intruder, by James R. Edwards (Nav. Press, 2000), there are some excellent paragraphs, too long to quote extensively here, that point out that "imaginary works have difficulty making virtuous characters as believable and attractive as bad characters. The villains of literature and screen are, as a rule larger and more gripping than are the heroes. There is good reason for this-human nature stands closer to evil that to good. Intrigue and scheming are more instinctual to us than love and goodness and forgiveness. The vices are 'first nature' and virtue is 'second nature'" So, it's clear that virtuous living must come from an inner power, and that is God's Holy Spirit.
A seminary professor friend of mine has an excellent article on virtue (W. N. Kerr, in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology). He carefully points out that the concept of moral excellence is throughout the whole universe. Man began as initially good and after the Fall this moral perfection was lost. Only the saving act of God can meet this challenge. Augustine was bent down with his burden of sin and unrighteousness and then he read Romans 13:14, "Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ." His burden was lifted and the possibility of a virtuous life became his. During the Middle Ages, the four Greek "nature" virtues were combined with the Biblical list of faith, hope, charity, and people began to speak of the seven cardinal virtues. Biblical theology insists that virtue comes from above and is not the product of human effort. "Christian character is the work of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is applied and the means of grace employed."
Jonathon Edwards in Charity and its Fruit writes: "All virtue that is saving, and that distinguishes true Christians from others, is summed up in Christian love." Virtue is moral excellence. It is a gift from God, it comes about by the regenerating power of the Gospel. If we are to live genuinely virtuous lives, we must look to God to provide us with His righteousness, and depend upon His power for daily living that is excellent and honoring to the Savior.