The #1 Ingredient: Virtue

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue”
2 Peter 1:5

Ref: 2 Cor. 8:12; Prov. 31; Phil. 4:8; Rm. 3:10;

The characteristics of a godly woman are timeless. King Solomon in the Old Testament told his son that a woman who has virtue is priceless.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies”
(Pr. 31:10)

In verse eleven of Proverbs thirty-one, Solomon tells his son, (and you) why a woman of virtue is priceless. It is because she can be trusted. And more than five hundred years later, Peter agrees.

In verse five of your text, Peter list the attribute of virtue as the very first ingredient you are to add to the starter faith you have been given. God himself cannot be anything but virtuous: He expects this character trait in his children as well.

He doesn’t just throw it out there anywhere; he tells you to take great care (giving all diligence) that you add this ingredient first.
The word virtue means more than being worthy of trust. It carries with it the idea of having great goodness, being fair in your dealings, and willing to take on responsibilities. When you break it down, that’s a lot!

Would you consider yourself virtuous? I thought I would have been, but then conviction set in. Have you ever been preparing a snack and there isn’t much there? – You decide to half it. Then the temptation comes to put just a l-l-ittle more on your plate or your bowl, after all he won’t mind. Right?...Just where is the middle of that candy bar!!????.....While we may laugh at something so simple, God takes it very seriously.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rm. 3:10)

Whether it is something as simple as splitting a candy bar or treating a business associate fairly in a project you have been working on, God has called you to be a virtuous woman. Ready to be able to step up and say: Yes, Lord with your help, I can do this and I am willing to do this for you.

As the words of the old hymn “Are Ye Able” say:

“Lord we are able our spirits are thine, remold them make them like thee divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God to love and loyalty.”

The verse gives the picture of the light(presence) of God shining down on us. That light when seen by others acts like a signpost marking the way to God for them, to love(for God is love), and to loyality (for God is faithful or loyal)

But being good and fair and willing to take on responsibilities in your Christian walk does not come easy. Temptation is always there, -- if not to get you to fall into selfishness, then to tempt you to give up. That’s where the ingredients of the starter come in to encourage you- precious promises:

“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” (2 Cor. 8:12)

God doesn't expect you to be perfect. As a matter of fact he knows you can't be. That's why it was necessary of him to send his son, Jesus. The requirement for perfection has already been met through Him. The promise in 2 Corinthians assures you that if you are just willing God accepts you just the way you are.

Are you trying to tame your tongue? The Bible says no man(woman) can do that. God can! Are you willing to let Him work? That's all he requires.

He will begin to show you through daily reading in his word things that will help you. He will put you into situations to give you practice in learning to control that tongue. If you humble yourself and don't stop being willing, in other words-don't give up then God will teach you how to control your tongue and give you a victory to celebrate! A testamony to help another with.

Add to your faith,Virtue.