Few understand what it is to live a virtuous life. Albert Barns said with reference to 2 Peter 1:3 that virtue is “a word which denotes a good quality or excellence of any kind. In the ancient classics it is used to denote manliness, vigour, courage, valour, fortitude; and the word would rather denote energy or power of some kind, than what we commonly understand by virtue, and would be, therefore, properly applied to the energy or efficiency which God has displayed in the work of our salvation. Indeed, when applied to moral excellence at all, as it is in 2 Peter 1:5 of this chapter, and often elsewhere, it is perhaps with a reference to the energy, boldness, rigour, or courage which is evinced in overcoming our evil propensities, and resisting allurements and temptations. According to this interpretation, the passage teaches that it is by a glorious Divine efficiency that we are called into the kingdom of God.” Therefore, to live according to one's own feelings or opinions, apart from the principles of the Holy Scriptures, is to live a selfish life. The Christian life is the most unselfish lifestyle the world will ever see. In fact, it is questionable that one is a Christian if he lives a life of selfishness. |
