Divine Qualities

1
Divine Qualities

• Supplement your faith with virtue."

2
The Meaning of Virtue

• If we would be "partakers of the divine nature,"
  we must not only have "escaped from the
  corruption that is in the world because of sinful
  desire," but we must also " make every effort" to
  "supplement" our faith with seven divine
  qualities, the first of which is "virtue."
• But what is "virtue"?
• While the word "virtue" may sometimes mean "moral
  excellence," that meaning hardly seems to fit
  here.

3
The Meaning of Virtue

• "Virtue" is here distinguished from such
  qualities as "godliness," "brotherly affection"
  and "love."
• But "moral excellence" would doubtless include
  these qualities.
• That is, one could hardly be said to be morally
  excellent in the absence of them.
• On the other hand, there are good and sufficient
  reasons for understanding the word to mean "moral
  courage."

4
Moral Courage

• The Greek word translated "virtue" is derived
  from a military term given by the Greeks, as a
  personal name, to their god of war, suggesting
  the concept of courage.
• The English word, "virtue," was derived from the
  Latin, "virtus," meaning "manhood," which
  suggests courage.
• It seems natural that, in a list of spiritual
  traits, moral courage would immediately follow
  faith.

5
1 Corinthians 1613

•  Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like
  men, be strong.

6
Ephesians 610-13

•  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the
  strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of
  God, that you may be able to stand against the
  schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle
  against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
  against the authorities, against the cosmic
  powers over this present darkness, against the
  spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
• Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that
  you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
  having done all, to stand firm.  

7
Ephesians 614-16

•  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of
  truth, and having put on the breastplate of
  righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet,
  having put on the readiness given by the gospel
  of peace.  
• In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,
  with which you can extinguish all the flaming
  darts of the evil one  

8
Ephesians 617-20

•  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword
  of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying
  at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and
  supplication. To that end keep alert with all
  perseverance, making supplication for all the
  saints, and also for me, that words may be given
  to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the
  mystery of the gospel, for which I am an
  ambassador in chains, that I may declare it
  boldly, as I ought to speak.

9
Moral Courage

• Moral courage is surely the basic quality of
  Christian manhood because, unless one has the
  courage of his convictions, he will not always
  act on them.

10
The Demands for Moral Courage

1. Being men and women without fear
2. Confessing Christ before men
3. Resisting the Devil
4. Confessing our sins to one another
5. Rebuking sin
6. Giving a reason for the hope that is in us
7. Contending for the faith
8. Living godly

11
(No Transcript)