Virtue is rare, but it is a quality that we as Christians should all be striving to possess. Virtue has been described as an “uncommon character worthy of praise” and as being the marker for “excellence of character” (BDAG). Praise-worthy and excellent character ought to be the markers for the child of God – and this is exactly what Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:5. With the right foundation and willing effort, such an uncommon characteristic ought not to be uncommon within the body of Christ Jesus. Peter tells us Christians to “add to [our] faith virtue” (2 Pet. 1:5, NKJV).
As noted above, virtue is “uncommon.” Therefore, if we are looking to add virtue to our lives, we must know where to turn to find virtue. Thankfully, Peter points us in the right direction. Virtue is only going to be found through the example of Jesus – the one in whom we have faith (2 Pet. 1:3-5). With a proper conviction concerning Christ Jesus, we will come to mold our lives to His character. We will look to His example of service to grow in our service toward others (Mk. 10:45). We will look to His compassion to grow in our compassion toward others (Matt. 9:35-36). We will look to His example of faith to grow in our endurance (Heb. 12:1-2). We will look to His example of patient suffering to grow in our ability to handle persecution (1 Pet. 2:21-25). In all that Jesus did, virtue is found. If we will shape our lives to His example, our lives will be characterized as virtuous.
Adding virtue to our faith is merely living and acting upon our faith. Living a virtuous life is living based upon the truth of God’s word. When we are living according to our faith in God’s word and His promise of eternal life through Jesus, we will be living a morally excellent life. We will be living with the greatest of character. We will be living with virtue. The world around us may lack such virtue, but the Lord’s church ought to be filled with it. When we do as Peter instructs by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 2 Peter 1:5, we will be setting ourselves apart from the world, and we will be living like Christ Jesus, He “who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3).
By Preston McElyea