Insight on virtue
The Inspired Word says, “Add to your faith, virtue.” Those who are seeking for eternal life and a home in the kingdom of God must lay for their character building the foundation of virtue. Jesus must be the chief cornerstone. The things that defile the soul must be banished from the mind and life. When temptations are presented, they must be resisted in the strength of Christ. The virtue of the spotless Lamb of God must be woven into the character till the soul can stand in its integrity…. Joseph is an example of how we may stand unspotted, amid the evil of the world, and add to our faith, virtue….
Every moment of our lives is intensely real, and charged with solemn responsibilities. Ignorance will be no excuse for lack of spiritual understanding and attainment. For we are exhorted to add to virtue, knowledge. We need to acquire all the knowledge possible.
ADD TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE:
Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4
“And to knowledge, temperance.” This is the third step in the path toward perfection of character. On every side there is indulgence and dissipation, and the result is degeneration and corruption.
The inhabitants of our earth are depreciating in:
Mental
Moral
Physical power
because of the intemperate habits of society. Appetite, passion, and love of display are carrying the multitudes into the greatest excesses and extravagance…. The people of God must take an opposite course from the world. They must take up the warfare against these sinful practices, deny appetite, and keep the lower nature in subjection. It is for us to search the Scriptures, and bring our habits into harmony with the instruction of the Bible….
And to temperance, patience The need of becoming temperate is made manifest as we try to take this step. It is next to an impossibility for an intemperate person to be patient.
Some of us have a nervous temperament, and are naturally as quick as a flash to think and to act; but let no one think that he cannot learn to become patient. Patience is a plant that will make rapid growth if carefully cultivated. By becoming thoroughly acquainted with ourselves, and then combining with the grace of God a firm determination on our part, we may be conquerors, and become perfect in all things, wanting in nothing.
Patience pours the balm of peace and love into the experiences of the home life…. Patience will seek for unity in the church, in the family, and in the community.
This grace must be woven into our lives.
We must have a close and intimate connection with heaven, if we bear the grace of godliness. Jesus must be a guest in our homes, a member of our households, if we reflect His image and show that we are sons and daughters of the Most High. Religion is a beautiful thing in the home. If the Lord abides with us, we shall feel that we are members of Christ’s family in heaven. We shall realize that angels are watching us, and our manners will be gentle and forbearing. We shall be fitting up for an entrance into the courts of heaven by cultivating courtesy and godliness….
Enoch walked with God. He honored God in every affair of life. In his home and in his business he inquired, “Will this be acceptable to the Lord?” And by remembering God and following His counsel, he was transformed in character, and became a godly man, whose ways pleased the Lord. We are exhorted to add to godliness, brotherly kindness. O how much we need to take this step, to add this quality to our characters! … We should have that love for others that Christ has had for us. A man is estimated at his true value by the Lord of heaven. If he is unkind in his earthly home, he is unfit for the heavenly home. If he will have his own way, no matter whom it grieves, he would not be content in heaven, unless he could rule there. The love of Christ must control our hearts…. Seek God with a broken and contrite spirit, and you will be melted with compassion toward your brethren. You will be prepared to add to brotherly kindness, charity, or love….