The first century believers seem to have had a strong
message of virtue. Clement and Ignatius continually reminded people to put off
envy which causes a lot of trouble, but instead to walk in humility. That
virtue is still relatively foreign to our world. Living virtuous in a world that
celebrates immorality, this is our quest. Movies today tend to celebrate bank
heists, illicit lovers, and evil empires overcoming the good. While it may be
normal for humans to think about conniving their way to the top, we are called
to something greater, we are called to glory and virtue. Our life on earth is a
testing of our character and a revealing of our heart. If we are to make sense
of our world we have to understand virtue. Sometimes people are made to feel
ashamed of living virtuously, instead of the opposite which is shaming those
who do not live virtuously. Virtue is something the world could use more of and
that is what people will see when they see us. The first century believers
repeated this message and went a step further, they wanted to be martyred for
Christ. One such man, Ignatius, writes the churches asking people to pray that
the beasts would tear him apart. What a strange concept for us, however there
will come a time when there will be many martyred for Christ after the called
out are called up. There is no other way to Jesus during the tribulation.
Nevertheless, virtue is the character trait that we need to walk in today.
The word virtue is used in
two different applications. It is used in place of the word “power”, dunamis in the Greek, with regards to
Jesus when people would touch him, he had virtue or miraculous power leave him.
Those usages should have been translated power
or miraculous power rather than
virtue. However, as we will see, virtue does exude from us. And Jesus’ virtue
made his blood so pure it was able to tear the temple veil so that we all could
enter into the Holy of Holies. Virtue is part of our character and should be
understood as an important way to live.
NT:703 aretee, aretees,
hee any excellence of a person (in body
or mind) or of a thing, an eminent endowment, property or quality
1. a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action;
virtue, moral goodness 2 Peter 1:5
2. any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity
Phil 4:8
(from Thayer's Greek
Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.
All rights reserved.)
NT:703 arete (ar-et'-ay); from the same as NT:730;
properly, manliness (valor), i.e. excellence (intrinsic or attributed):KJV -
praise, virtue.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance
with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft,
Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Paul tells us to think on certain things, things that are
good and honest and just. This means that it is possible to direct our minds to
think the way we know we should, rather than letting our mind run wild or plan
and scheme immorally.
Phil 4:7-9 And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil
state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing
from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that
peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is
true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is
just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and
winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue [703] and excellence, if there is
anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things
[fix your minds on them]. 9 Practice what you have learned and received and
heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace
(of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you. AMP
If we focus on thinking on virtuous things we will have
peace and tranquility. Think of how wonderful it is to simply live in peace. If
we practice this we will have peace. Who knew that directing our thoughts to
virtue could bring us perfect peace?
Peter elaborates on virtue but for some reason the translators used the
word praises for virtue, but let’s read this as virtue and see what it means.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises
[703 virtue] of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light: KJV
We, you and I, are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people that show the virtue of Jesus
who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Jesus had virtue
and we are to have virtue. Peter also tells us that His divine power gives us
life and godliness because of the knowledge of Him who called us to glory and
virtue. We are called to glory and virtue just as we show the world His virtue.
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine [2304] power [1411]
hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the
knowledge [1922] of him that hath called us [2564] to glory [1391] and virtue: KJV
NT:2304 theios (thi'-os); from NT:2316; godlike (neuter
as noun, divinity):KJV - divine, godhead. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:1411 dunamis (doo'-nam-is); from NT:1410; force
(literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by
implication, a miracle itself):KJV - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily,
-y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty
(wonderful) work.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance
with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft,
Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:1922 epignosis (ep-ig'-no-sis); from NT:1921;
recognition, i.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement:KJV -
(ac-) knowledge (-ing, -ment). (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:2564 kaleo (kal-eh'-o); akin to the base of NT:2753;
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications,
dir. or otherwise):KJV - bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-) name (was
[called]). (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:1391 doxa (dox'-ah); from the base of NT:1380; glory
(as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or
subjective):KJV - dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.(Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
How does Jesus call us? Do we hear an audible voice or
does he call us in our heart? If we are to help others we have to think this
through. Jesus calls many but not everyone chooses to take his offer. Some
silence his voice, some harden their hearts to his voice, but he does call us
to glory and virtue. Let’s look at this. It is Jesus’ God-like miraculous power,
bestowed gratuitously for life and holiness through the recognition and full
discernment of Jesus who called us to His own glory and virtue. By fully
recognizing who He is, we have his God-like, miraculous power, giving us all
the things we need for life and holiness. Let’s read the Amplified here.
2 Peter 1:3-9 For His divine power has bestowed upon us
all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the
[full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and
excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and
exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight]
from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because
of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine
nature. 5 For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises],
employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue [703]
(excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [703]
[develop] knowledge (intelligence), 6 And in [exercising] knowledge [develop]
self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness
(patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness
(piety), 7 And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in
[exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. 8 For as these
qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from
being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).9 For whoever lacks these qualities is
blind, [spiritually] shortsighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has
become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. AMP
Whoever lacks these qualities is blind. We can escape the
moral decay of the world because we were called to His glory and virtue.
Solomon writes that pride doesn’t profit us, but also that we were born without
virtue. This tells us we have to endeavor to develop virtue. We all start out
without virtue, but the Lord’s calling draws us to pursue virtue.
Wisdom 5:8 & 13 What hath pride profited us? or what
good hath riches with our vaunting brought us?.... 13 Even so we in like
manner, as soon as we were born, began to draw to our end, and had no sign of
virtue to shew; but were consumed in our own wickedness KJV
Remembering a previous study on Jacob, we saw that Jacob
was not an underhanded trickster, but a very dedicated man of God. So much so
that Jacob spent 32 years with Shem and Eber in Jerusalem at Shem’s school.
Thirty two years is a long time to dedicate one’s life in service to God and
here we see Isaiah saying that Jacob won’t be ashamed and disappointed because
his children are walking as degenerates now. Instead Jacob will see them in the
future having piety or devotion, and virtue.
Isa 29:22-24 Therefore thus says the Lord, Who redeemed
Abraham [out of Ur and idolatry], concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall
not then be ashamed; not then shall his face become pale [with fear and
disappointment because of his children's degeneracy]. 23 For when he sees his
children [walking in the way of piety and virtue], the work of My hands in his
midst, they will revere My name; they will revere the Holy One of Jacob and
reverently fear the God of Israel. 24 Those who err in spirit will come to
understanding, and those who murmur [discontentedly] will accept instruction. AMP
There will come a time when Jacob’s descendants will
become teachable and they will receive instruction regarding the Lord. They
will know Yahweh Alph Tav, verse 22. They will also know the Alph Tav Holy one
of Jacob, the Alph Tav Elohim of Israel, verse 23. We literally see from the
text who it is they will come to know, this knowledge will change their
behavior from degeneracy to devotion and virtue. Just as our knowledge of Jesus
changes us, see 2 Peter 1:3. This is a key point, today we look backward and
gain knowledge of Jesus as Messiah and we are then redeemed. But prior to Jesus
coming to earth, the Old Testament saints were redeemed by knowing Yahweh, Alph
Tav, the Elohim, and that he would come as Messiah. They had faith that he was
coming to earth, while we have faith that he came to earth. And this knowledge
of Him helps people change and put on the character of virtue.
One of the things Jesus did while he was on earth was
point out the way people skewed the law to take advantage of others and pretend
to be righteous. Jesus was always mentioning how the spiritual leaders were intentionally
misleading, and wrongly teaching, the way the law was to be observed. Jesus
explains it very well, they tried to use technicalities to absolve themselves
much like people do today. The root of the problem is that even if they
technically didn’t do something wrong, they were not preserving their virtue
because their hearts were corrupted with lust. This is important for us to note
today. Let’s read this from the Message.
Matt 5:27-32 "You know the next commandment pretty
well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' 28 But don't think you've
preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted
by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody
notices — they also corrupt.
29 "Let's not pretend this is easier than it really
is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You
have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You
have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. 30 And
you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised
threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good
in the dump.
31 "Remember the Scripture that says, 'Whoever
divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her
legal rights'? 32 Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and
whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' Please, no more
pretending. If you divorce your wife, you're responsible for making her an
adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity).
And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you're automatically an adulterer
yourself. You can't use legal cover to mask a moral failure. (from THE MESSAGE:
The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights
reserved.)
Our hearts can be corrupted by lust and that impedes our
virtue. Too many people were using the law as a cover for selfishness. This
happens all the time today. The Rabbi who decided that men can have multiple
wives did that because he had a lust he wanted to pursue, he uses his teaching
as a cover for his selfishness. The Messianic teacher who taught people that it
is alright for men to have mistresses had an unclean past to atone for, and
thought this was a good way to be absolved. This was his selfish way to cover
for his past. The Pastor who had an affair and left his family for his new
friend behaved selfishly. The person who desires to manipulate a child, wallows
in selfishness as well, even if that person gets caught before manifesting that
lust. That is what Jesus is telling us. Selfishness and acting on a whim
hinders our abilities to become virtuous. When a marriage is in trouble either
one or both people are being selfish. This is why Jesus is saying we don’t’
preserve our virtue if our heart is corrupt and selfish. Instead, Jesus tells
us to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.
Matt 5:44-48 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, [Prov 25:21,22.] 45 To show that you are the
children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the
wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the
wrongdoers [alike]. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward can you
have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? 47 And if you greet only your
brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the
heathen) do that? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete
maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height
of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect. [Lev 19:2,18.] AMP
Similar to Leviticus 20:7 and 1 Peter 1:15-16, be
perfect, be holy, because the knowledge of Jesus Messiah helps us be virtuous.
Jesus is pointing out here that we should behave better than our enemies, or
the non-believers from the nations. One way Jesus tells us to do this, is to be
careful with what we hear and think on.
Mark 4:22-24 [Things are hidden temporarily only as a
means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is
anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known. 23
If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and
comprehend. 24 And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The
measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the
measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you — and more [besides]
will be given to you who hear. AMP
Just as Paul told the Philippians, Jesus says the amount
of time you give to the things you hear will be the measuring stick. If we
spend a lot of time studying and listening to the true knowledge of Jesus, and
the revelation of God, we will have a greater measure of virtue and we will be
blessed for it. But if we spend our time listening to other things that do not
increase our true knowledge of Jesus, then we will not have the virtue and
knowledge and consequently the blessings of increased virtue and knowledge.
Here is another way to look at it: if we spend our time pursuing the true
knowledge of Jesus, we will gain more virtue and knowledge. Hebrews testifies
of the Father speaking to Jesus of his virtue.
Heb 1:8-9 But as to the Son, He says to Him, Your throne,
O God, is forever and ever (to the ages of the ages), and the scepter of Your
kingdom is a scepter of absolute righteousness (of justice and
straightforwardness). 9 You have loved righteousness [You have delighted in
integrity, virtue, and uprightness in purpose, thought, and action] and You
have hated lawlessness (injustice and iniquity). Therefore God, [even] Your God
(Godhead), has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and
beyond Your companions. [Ps 45:6,7.] AMP
We should remember that the word God is not a name but a
title. With this in mind, the Father calls his son God because Jesus’ actions
and behavior a pleasing to the Father. If Jesus was a lazy indulgent son, the
Father would not honor him with his proper title, but instead the Father might
call him a good for nothing fool. Yet Jesus’ title stands, and Jesus’ kingdom
is a scepter of absolute righteousness because Jesus loved righteousness,
integrity, virtue, and uprightness. Jesus laid down his life on the cross for
us, there is complete remission of sin. No more temple sacrifices are needed to
atone for sin, which is a good thing as there is no temple; no one can atone
for sin in that way.
Heb 10:18-20 Now where there is absolute remission
(forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty) of these [sins and lawbreaking],
there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin. 19 Therefore, brethren,
since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies
[by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, 20 By this fresh (new) and
living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the
separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh, AMP
Jesus’ blood was filled with power and virtue. We can now
enter the Holy of Holies. Who are we but people who were lost and somehow heard
Him call us and then followed Him. But we can enter the most holy place on
earth, the Holy of Holies, because of his blood. He had so much virtue that it
tore the veil of the temple, opening the way for us to enter. Imagine if there
were a temple on earth, we could legally and rightfully enter into the Holy of
Holies. Today, we are the temple and the Holy of Holies is within us, the very
place we need to go to meet with our God.
In the tribulation, those who refuse the mark of the
beast, but instead testify of Jesus, will be martyred. They will become rulers
with Christ for 1000 years because they will be holy, with spiritual wholeness,
innocence, and proven virtue.
Rev 20:6 Blessed (happy, to be envied) and holy
(spiritually whole, of unimpaired innocence and proved virtue) is the person
who takes part (shares) in the first resurrection! Over them the second death
exerts no power or authority, but they shall be ministers of God and of Christ
(the Messiah), and they shall rule along with Him a thousand years. AMP
It is easier to live for Jesus today than it will be
during the tribulation. While there is always adversity for the believer, there
will be harsher times for those who become believers in Christ during the
tribulation. At this time on earth there are people who are martyred for Jesus,
but during the tribulation almost all Jesus followers will be martyred. Today,
we have the ability to use time to our advantage, to develop virtue, a good,
strong, moral character. Once the harpazo occurs people who did not know Jesus
will recognize that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, and many, many people will
become believers in Jesus as Lord and Christ. The short time that they will
have left on earth will be tested by giving their lives for Jesus as martyrs.
The first century believers were almost all martyred. It
seems that they wanted to be martyred and they looked forward to martyrdom.
They didn’t fight their death, but seemed to walk to it. Paul went back to Rome
after traveling west, knowing his friend Seneca was martyred by his employer
Nero. Paul even told us ‘for him to live is for the work of Christ, but to die
would be for his own gain’. He looked forward to death, and Ignatius did as
well. Ignatius wrote several letters to the churches encouraging unity, but
also explaining his desire to die for Jesus as a martyr.
Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians 1:4
For hearing that I came bound from Syria, for the common name and hope,
trusting through your prayers to fight with beasts at Rome; so that by suffering
I may become indeed the disciple of him who gave himself to God, an offering
and sacrifice for us; (ye hastened to see me). I received, therefore, in the
name of God, your whole multitude in Onesimus. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob18.htm
He felt the need to die fighting beasts, and we will see
why in another letter. Most people would probably prefer a quicker way to die.
Ignatius reminds us about being careful for what we hear.
Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians 2:10
Stop your ears therefore, as often as any one shall speak contrary to Jesus
Christ; who was of the race of David, of the Virgin Mary.11 Who was truly born and
did eat and drink; was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; was truly
crucified and dead; both those in heaven and on earth, being spectators of it.12
Who was also truly raised from the dead by his Father after the same manner as he
will also raise up us who believe in him by Christ Jesus; without whom we have
no true life.13 But if, as some who are Atheists, that is to say infidels,
pretend, that he only seemed to suffer: (they themselves only seeming to exist)
why then am I bound?—Why do I desire to fight with beasts?—Therefore do I die
in vain: therefore I will not speak falsely against the Lord. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob20.htm
Ignatius had a sense of humor as verse 13 indicates. Next
he really tells the believers not to pray for his safety but for him to be food
to wild beasts. Here he tells us why.
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans 2:1
I WRITE to the churches, and signify to them all, that am willing to die for God,
unless hinder me.2 I beseech you that you
shew not an unseasonable good will towards me. Suffer me to be food to
the wild beasts; by whom I shall attain unto God.3 For I am the wheat of God;
and I shall be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the
pure bread of Christ.4 Rather encourage the beasts, that they may become my
sepulchre; and may leave nothing of my body; that being dead I mazy not be
troublesome to any.5 Then shall I be truly the disciple of Jesus Christ, when
the world shall not see so much as my body, Pray therefore unto Christ for me,
that by these instruments I may be made the sacrifice of God.6 I do not, as
Peter and Paul, command you. They were Apostles, I a condemned man; they were
free, but I am even to this day a servant: 7 But if I shall suffer, I shall
then become the freeman of Jesus Christ, and shall rise free. And now, being in
bonds, I learn, not to desire anything.8 From Syria even unto Rome, I fight
with beasts both by sea and land; both night and day: being bound to ten
leopards, that is to say, to such a band of soldiers; who, though treated with
all manner of kindness, are the worse for it.9 But I am the more instructed by
their injuries; yet am I not therefore justified.10 May I enjoy the wild beasts
that are prepared for me; which also I wish may exercise all their fierceness
upon me.11 And whom for that end I will encourage, that they may be sure to
devour me, and not serve me as they have done some, whom out of fear they have
not touched. But, and if they will not do it willingly, I will provoke them to
it.12 Pardon me in this matter; I know what is profitable for me. Now I begin
to be a disciple. Nor shall anything move me, whether visible or invisible, that
I may attain to Jesus Christ.13 Let fire, and the cross; let the companies of
wild beasts; let breakings of bones and tearing of members; let the shattering
in pieces of the whole body, and all the wicked torments of the devil come upon
me; only let me enjoy Jesus Christ.14 All the ends of the world, and the
kingdoms of it, will profit me nothing: I would rather die for Jesus Christ,
than rule to the utmost ends of the earth. Him I seek who died for us; him I
desire, that rose again for us. This is the gain that is laid up for me.15
Pardon me, my brethren, ye shall not hinder me from living. Nor seeing I desire
to go to God, may you separate me from him, for the sake of this world; nor
reduce me by any of the desires of it. Suffer me to enter into pure light:
Where being come, I shall be indeed the servant of God.16 Permit me to imitate
the passion of my God. If any one has him within himself, let him consider what
I desire; and let him have compassion on me, as knowing how I am straightened. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob21.htm
Ignatius was a condemned man, which probably means he had
done something wrong, such as being a Christian, and he had been jailed. His sentence
was to be a servant and he was chained to soldiers, or indentured to ten
soldiers while on his way to Rome for execution. Ignatius wrote several letters
on the road. Just like Paul who did not waiver in going to Jerusalem which he
knew would lead to his imprisonment, nothing moved Ignatius. This concept of
martyrdom is strange to us today because we think of a group of religious
people who want to kill themselves and others by various means. Instead these
men and women lived quiet, virtuous lives. They only told people about Jesus;
they did not do anything disruptive, they didn’t harm others or destroy
anything. One could say all those things happened, figuratively, because they
spoke about Jesus, but truly they did not hurt anyone. So why would our
society, during that time as well as today, be so venomous toward virtuous
people? Simply, put the devil is the god of this world, the prince of the power
of the air.
Virtue is a deep character trait of all believers in
Christ. It is not a fruit of the Spirit, it is a soul issue. That means that
while we have the Holy Spirit on the inside of us, we have to make the effort
to control our thoughts, and pursue after the truth of Jesus. We gain more virtue
by living virtuously and that is what puts us at odds with the devil. Jesus controlled
his soul to live a life of virtue and we show His virtue when we live like he
did. That means those who truly are believers in Christ have a big mark on
them, a target, which is the glory of God. Life is a character assessment for
eternity. That means virtue should be pursued via the true knowledge of Jesus
the Christ and Messiah, and then we will have more virtue and knowledge and
glory.
