Moral Excellence

1
Moral Excellence

• Virtue
• 2 Peter 15

But also for this very reason, giving all
diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue
knowledge
2
Definition Arete

• Thayerany excellence of a person, an endowment,
  property, or quality.
• Vinewhatever procures pre-eminent estimation for
  a person.
• TDNTthe excellence that the righteous are to
  maintain in life or death.
• Cremerthe excellence of a person which gives him
  his worth.
• Strength of character that maintains moral
  integrity, thus giving one real worth.
• Quality that is active, not passive, requiring
  great energy and boldness to ever maintain the
  moral code.

3
Stems From Character of God

• 1 Peter 29Praises (virtue) of Him who called
  you.
• Hebrews 618Impossible for God to lie.
• 1 Thess. 524He is faithful, we can completely
  rely on God and His Word.
• Romans 914He is righteous.
• 2 Peter 15It is this strength of character that
  we, as Gods children, are to supply.

4
How Does Character Come?

• Phil. 48Contemplate what is right.
• Romans 129Firm decision to do right.
• 2 Peter 15Put into practice this decision to do
  what is right!
• In every situation of life.
• Under threat of rejection, ridicule, persecution,
  or death.
• Virtuous Christian will do what is right simply
  because it is rightthere can be no compromise!

5
Noah Gen. 65-13
Examples
Lot 2 Pet. 27-8
Apostles Acts 421 529
Paul Acts 2022-24
6
Virtue Does NOT Ask
Friends
What will others think?
Family
Co-workers
How will it affect me materially?
How will it affect me physically?
Is it pleasant?
7
In Any Situation or With Any Proposition, Virtue
Has Only One Question--

• IS IT RIGHT?

8
Application

• Obeying the Gospel
• Attendance
• Church Discipline
• Moral Issues
• Abortion, Homosexuality, Adultery, Gambling,
  Pornography, Immodest Dress, Drinking, Drugs,
  Dancing, Cursing

9
(No Transcript)
10
Application

• Obeying the Gospel
• Worship
• Work of the Church
• Attendance
• Church Discipline
• Moral Issues
• Abortion, Homosexuality, Adultery, Gambling,
  Pornography, Immodest Dress, Drinking, Dancing