Introduction. In our youth, something captivated our heart and became very important to us. It may have been a career or a sport, or perhaps a hobby. It is not hard to identify, just look at your schedule and bank statement. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Something that does not “depart from your mouth” and you “meditate in it day and night.” (Mt. 6:21; Josh. 1:7-9).
What God Wants. God made it obvious what He wanted this to be. “Seek first His kingdom and righteous.” We are commanded to diligently supply this to our faith: “Adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue” (Mt 6:33; 2Pet 1:5). Virtue is first “preeminent estimation” or “what gives man his worth” leading to “excellence of achievement,” and “mastery in a specific field.” Whenever we choose an interest, virtue always follows. When it becomes preeminent, and we gain a sense of worth, as we seek and ultimately gain excellence and mastery in it.
What God Wants. God made it obvious what He wanted this to be. “Seek first His kingdom and righteous.” We are commanded to diligently supply this to our faith: “Adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue” (Mt 6:33; 2Pet 1:5). Virtue is first “preeminent estimation” or “what gives man his worth” leading to “excellence of achievement,” and “mastery in a specific field.” Whenever we choose an interest, virtue always follows. When it becomes preeminent, and we gain a sense of worth, as we seek and ultimately gain excellence and mastery in it.
The Dynamics of Virtue. In the parable of the hidden treasure and pearl of great price (Mt. 13:44-46), Jesus revealed the dynamics of virtue. With the value of the treasure and pearl, it made perfect sense to sacrifice everything. When we see the kingdom of God as something so precious and valuable it is worth every sacrifice, we will seek it first, think and speak of it always, and place our treasures and heart there. The kingdom becomes our “preeminent estimation” and “gives us our worth.” It becomes our priority to have “excellence of achievement,” and gain “mastery.”
Just as those preparing for the Olympics use virtue to make the necessary sacrifices to compete, so must we! Once the goal is set, virtue brings the determination to bring it to completion. It is virtue that creates heroes, gold medalists, and champions! “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” (1Cor. 9:24-27)
Virtue makes us hot, full of zeal, determination and ambition. We want to be the best we can be. Although each person has differing degrees of ability, intensity, enthusiasm, time or money, God wants the first fruits.
What about us?
Like Moses we have to look at the reward and not at the sacrifices. This is what virtue always leads us to do. As we look at the benefits we do not feel the sacrifices. Living the life of Christ requires daily denial of self, crucifixion of old lusts and a strong determination to fulfill all God’s expectations. Virtue is our greatest ally to help us do all this.
Just as those preparing for the Olympics use virtue to make the necessary sacrifices to compete, so must we! Once the goal is set, virtue brings the determination to bring it to completion. It is virtue that creates heroes, gold medalists, and champions! “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” (1Cor. 9:24-27)
Virtue makes us hot, full of zeal, determination and ambition. We want to be the best we can be. Although each person has differing degrees of ability, intensity, enthusiasm, time or money, God wants the first fruits.
- Preeminent Estimation “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:7-8).
- What Gives Man His Worth “Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me” (Jer. 9:23-24). “But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Gal. 6:14).
- Excellence of Achievement “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12-14)
- Mastery in a Specific Field “Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind” (Phil. 3:15-16).
What about us?
- Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Heb. 12:1-2)
Like Moses we have to look at the reward and not at the sacrifices. This is what virtue always leads us to do. As we look at the benefits we do not feel the sacrifices. Living the life of Christ requires daily denial of self, crucifixion of old lusts and a strong determination to fulfill all God’s expectations. Virtue is our greatest ally to help us do all this.