What it means to be virtuous
Author Unknown


It is necessary to compare scripture with scripture IF we are to learn the full mind of God!

Those that Love God, can Do his commands (in His power) because this IS wisdom and this IS understanding in the sight of God and
everyone. (Deut 4:6)HOW? Because God promises that he Can cause us to obey his commands so we won't walk in sin and be defiled. (Lev
18:30)

We need to be reminded that God is telling us that we must be diligent to add to our faith (now that we say we believe) Virtue;
and to virtue Knowledge; And to knowledge Self-control; and to self control Patience; and to patience Godliness; and to godliness
Brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection Charity. 2Pet 1:5-7

1. Virtue - strong's # 703 means: moral goodness, and the virtuous course in thought, action, and word.
2. Knowledge #1108 means: the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of the Christian faith, such as belongs to the more
advanced. Moral wisdom, such as seen in good living
3. Temperance #1466 means: self-control , the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions from sensual appetites.
4. Patience
5. Godliness #2150 means: holiness
6. Brotherly affection
7. Charity #26 means: brotherly love, affection, good will, love feasts

IF these things are not only in us but increasing, then we will never be unfruitful or barren in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Pet 1:8) However, those that Lack these things are BLIND (meaning unrepentant) and have not been purged from their old sins.  (1:9)For God says if we will be diligent to add these things to our faith, we then (and only then) can we make our calling and election SURE (guaranteed) and we will NEVER fall. (1:10) Are you willing to be diligent with the Lord to confess your sins and plead with him to give you the gift of repentance so you can completely turn away from them and be delivered? This is how you can be found by him (at his coming) without spot or blemish and at peace (which passes all our understanding) and free from fears and agitating worldly passions and moral conflicts. (3:14) We can grow in grace [by sinning less and less, and abound in doing good] and in the knowledge (by studying by doctrine) and understanding of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (3:18) Why? Because God has commanded us to keep his doctrines diligently and we can do that by studying them. (Ps 119:4) This is how we won't be put to shame before Him. (119:6) This how we can naturally give honor and gratitude with an upright heart when we have learned his righteous judgments. (119:7) This is how we can keep our way pure by living according to his word. (119:9) This is the only way to seek the Lord with all our heart (by studying his doctrines) and he promises us that we won't stray from them. (119:10) This is how we hide His word in our hearts so we cannot sin against him. (119:11) God is asking, "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread? (He is the bread of life) And why do you labor for things that will not satisfy you? Incline your ears:  meaning (submit and consent to my divine will) and come to Me; [through my word] and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.. (Is 55:2-3) We are told not to work for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to us. (Jn 6:27) We need to seek FIRST his Kingdom and His righteousness, and thethings that we need will be given to us. (Matt 6:33) We should not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have it's own anxieties. (6:34) Jesus is saying to His children that they need to obey him much more in His absence and to work out our salvation with Fear and trembling; for it is God which works in us both to will and to Do of His good pleasure. (Phil 2:12-13)Remember, the fear of the Lord is to Hate evil and Pride. (Prov 8:13) But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for those that come to God must believe that he is, and that he rewards those that diligently seek him (by
his word). (Heb 11:6) We should be diligently on the watch over the body of Christ, to see that no one fails the grace of God; and the
root of bitterness springs up and troubles them and defiles others.  (Heb 12:15) According to God's divine power he has given us all
things that pertain to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: by means of  these He has given to us his precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them we can escape from the moral decay that is in this world because of lust and greed, and become partakers of the divine nature. (2Pet 1:3-4) Whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, are of a good report; if there be any virtue and praise, let us fix our minds on these things. (Phil 4:8) Grace and peace will be multiplied unto us through the true knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. (2Pet 1:2) We are called not to be like children in our understanding of these things, but in understanding we should be adult, and in regard to evil desires we should be as children. (1Cor 14:20) We can not be thoughtless, and foolish but we need to understand and fully grasp what the will of the Lord is. (Eph 5:17) His will for us is our sanctification. (1Thess 4:3) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything but a new nature altogether. (Gal 6:15) For sin does not have control over those who are under God's grace. (Rom 6:14)And, these no longer live the rest of their lives for their own selfish desires, but for the needs and desires of others, which is the will of God. (1Pet 4:2) Those who truly Love Jesus CAN keep his commandments. (Jn 14:15) Our prayer should be to esteem God's word more than our daily food, until he answers it! (Job 23:12) Those that are virtuous do good and not evil all the days of their lives. (Prov31:12) God says there is only ONE upright man in a thousand. ( Ecc 7:28)