Virtue and The Christian Life
Christian conduct as a matter of great importance. We see throughout the whole Scripture that God takes seriously the conduct of his people. The contemporary church tends to get a little squeamish when we talk about how we ought to act in this world. We love the doctrine of justification by faith alone. The great gospel truth that says there is nothing that we can add to our salvation. That salvation is merely that free gift of God To be excepted by faith alone. That great salvation is of God’s grace alone. And, that salvation which is found in Christ alone. It is unfortunate that the church tends to allow such great Gospel truths to keep us from considering those virtues which flow from the Gospel.
But, when we look at the Scriptures, we see that God love certain qualities, and that these qualities ought to be evident in His people. Paul outlines three virtues in his letter to the church at Corinth: faith, hope, and love; love is the virtue par excellence. This is not an exhaustive list. Among these virtues, we might add contentment (1 Tim. 6:6), sobriety, self-control, respectability, hospitable, gentleness (1 Tim. 3:2, 3), and generosity (2 Cor 9:7). These things, we can say, God loves. These virtues are fitting for Christians to pursue. When my wife tells me that she loves it when I surprise her with a gift, she is obviously saying she loves to receive unexpected surprises. Now, I could spin this to think that she just wants stuff; I know that this is silly though. When my wife wants to be surprised by a gift, she is giving me the opportunity to pursue the virtue of generosity. And, in that way I can reflect Christ’s love for the Church; that is, Christ generously gave of Himself for the benefit of His people.
Pursuing virtue is not meant to make us feel good about ourselves. It is not about bolstering our self-image. It is unvirtuous to make ourselves the center of virtue. Being saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone ought to compel our hearts toward love and good works. Not in order to make a name for ourselves or to earn God’s favor, but because it is good and right for the people of God to pursue those qualities that reflect God’s character and please Him. As we pursue virtue, we trust that God is working in us His grace to make us into the people He desires us to be. Praise God that He has told us what pleases Him in order that we might by faith and love pursue Him for His glory and the good of our neighbors