Virtuous

Oh to pick the words myself instead of letting RNG (Random Number Generator) do it! This word is not an easy word. It has the ability to get me in trouble... there are so many ideas of what this word "means". What I mean is one person's idea of what is virtuous is different than someone else... So how do we get to the TRUTH of the word! Lets consider the definition and then look at it in light of God's word. I mean isn't that the way Christians should view things, in the light of God's word.

Definition of virtuous

1a : having or exhibiting virtue

b : morally excellent : righteous 

• a virtuous decision

2: chaste

3: potent, efficacious

I think that the major problem with man's idea of virtuous is the "moral" part of the definition. We "assume" (and you know what happens then) there different levels of morality. At least as we look at the lives people live, it would seem there are. What one person sees as a "sin", another doesn't.

Even my life would attest to the fact that I believe there are some things that are ok, that other people think of as sinful. Example, I have tattoos... I have a lot of friends who think having them are wrong. We both have valid points we can make from the Bible to support our views. So who is right? Or does the Bible contradict itself? Here is my answer to those questions.... We both are right, and the Bible does not contradict itself....

"These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Acts 17:11

The people spoken of here were in Berea... They did not take what Paul and Silas said as truth. They studied and searched the scriptures for themselves and decided the truth. I believe the Holy Spirit, helped them with this. As a result many came to know and love Jesus. It is or should be the same for us... we should not just take the word of those in authority over us, blindly. We should look for the truth for ourselves.

God has some strict laws He set forth with Moses and the people of Israel, but even the Bible says that those laws were a guide. They were to be a measuring stick. God knew that we could not keep the law and that we would fall short of it...

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:21-24

That is why when we allow Christ to be our Lord and Savior the Holy Spirit comes into our lives. The Holy Spirit gives a new level of "morality" if we allow Him. He will help us interpret God's meaning and words, which may look different to different people. We need to remember first not to judge, and second that we will be held accountable for our lives, no one else.

So what is virtuous? What do you believe is your morality? How will you live your life? Based in the light of God's word and your interpretation or allow other people to tell you what is truth? The Bible says

"for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)       Romans 2:14-15 

"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17 

Gentiles were considered laws and "heathens" in the eyes of the Jews. Yet, Paul says they live the law without knowing the law. We know how to live and know right from wrong... that was the whole point of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.... In the garden before take the fruit of that tree, Adam and Eve were innocent! They didn't know there was evil in the world, it was not part of their being. They were like God, made in His image.... One bite changed the whole world!

So what is virtuous? It is being moral, who is to say if you are wrong or right in your morality but God. And when you have to ask yourself the question, "Should I do this?" or "Is this the right way to act?"  then maybe it isn't and that is the spirit in you wanting you to stop and think before acting. We have it in us to be moral, and immoral, it is our decision on which we will do... we are the ones that make the choice... and we will pay the consequences.

Not sure if this makes any sense at all! Thanks for reading! God Bless You All!

from the post on May 5, 2013