Tools for Monday: The Virtuous Life (Part 3)
We continue in this article about practicing the virtuous life. Contrary to contemporary nebulous views, Christian virtue involves walking as Jesus walked. We connect our duty to be disciples of Jesus with the goal of looking more and more like Jesus as the Holy Spirit transforms our reborn souls.
In our last article, we said that Christian virtue begins with counting the cost of following Jesus. We illustrated how the Christian life is not one of ease. It is rather one of challenge that Jesus often referred to as a narrow way. In fact, the only way someone can truly way the path of God’s Kingdom is by becoming as a child (Matthew 18:2-4). This activity is impossible physically and even spiritually. We cannot simply revert to a form which is somehow more acceptable to God. To become like a child refers to rebirth of the soul. One must surrender by faith in Jesus Christ in order to become a citizen of the kingdom. Entrance into the kingdom never comes through human achievements. If one therefore counts the cost of total surrender to Christ and submits by faith as a little child, then he/she receives a gift of grace directly from God, which catapults one towards the virtuous life.
Our question now becomes…how? What are some strategies for living the virtuous Christian life?
Perhaps the most obvious strategy is listening to and following after the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will certainly convict us regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). This conviction can manifest itself in the way we respond and make free-willed decisions in any given situation. For instance, let’s say someone cuts sharply in front of us on the freeway. The Spirit will convict us about a certain response in that situation which will be virtuous, should we freely choose to follow in faith. The Spirit-filled response will produce healthy spiritual, virtuous fruit rather than road rage.
Consequently, as we respond virtuously in the Spirit, good habits develop. Over time, these habits lead to the formation of Christ-like character. Character is the structure of the self that is devoted to the good of the neighbor in response to the Holy Spirit.
In our next article, we will talk about some more strategies for virtuous living as well as some of the specific and unique virtues that are discussed in the Bible.