Fri 2 Mar 2007
Virtues
by MarkMy newest book, Hidden in Plain Sight, is on virtue – seven to be exact, found in the Apostle Peter’s second letter. In chapter 1 of that letter, Peter names seven character qualities – virtues – that he says we must add to our faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. The virtues themselves are simple. And the pathway to attaining them is wide-open – “make every effort,” is the most Peter says on that score.
Until I discovered, hidden in plain sight, this passage, I had not thought over much about the importance of virtue. Of course, other biblical passages speak about bearing fruit, and this is largely the same thing. But I had not thought about the value of designing a regimen of disciplines that would cultivate specific qualities of heart - brotherly kindness, for example. I simply assumed that if I read the Bible, prayed, attended church, sought Christian fellowship, and the like, that ipso facto I would love “the brethren” more. But such was not always the case. In fact, I found it was just as easy to judge the brethern more – to find my fellow Christians shallow, irritating, stumble prone, reminding me altogether too much of myself.
What Peter does is gives a target on the wall. He says, in effect, Figure out for yourself how to hit that mark. But by all means, hit it.
I use these seven virtues now as touchstones of spiritual formation. I measure my heart and my actions against these seven marks to gauge my progress in the Godward life. When I find I’m falling short in any of them, I seek the Spirit’s wisdom on where to go deeper, climb higher.
The simplicity of that is refreshing and – this is the real value – effective. I can honestly say I am experiencing more of what Peter says I should: participation in the divine nature, and escape from worldly corruption (2 Peter 2:4).
It was there all along, hidden in plain sight.