Today, more than ever, there seems to be a desire to appear virtuous. This comes in a variety of forms and in many cases is both superficial and insincere.
To be virtuous, by definition, is to be morally excellent or to be righteous. This is certainly something to strive for and should be a common desire.
However, “vying for virtue” is an entirely different matter.
You see, being willing to agree with situations or circumstances because we want others to think we are virtuous does not mean we are. Wanting to feel virtuous also does not make it so.
In fact, it is the quite the opposite.
Being virtuous is not something we feel nor is it an attribute we can see in ourselves. It is something others see in us.
Agreeing to or affirming something to attain virtue is not virtuous at all.
To seek to be morally excellent or righteous requires us to have sincere convictions and stand by them.
This is where true virtue resides.
Being willing and able to stand firm in the middle of uncertainty is far more virtuous than giving in to every whim that comes before us in this ever-changing world in which we live.
If we, who call ourselves Christ Followers, are going to be able to live in such a way where others would see or consider us righteous, it is imperative that we not vacillate or waver because of our desire to appear virtuous.
True virtue will be seen in us when we are living morally excellent or righteous lives. This requires us to have faith and to trust our faith will lead us to that point.
It is because of faith we can stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. Here, is where true virtue resides.
We must ask ourselves is virtue something we exude where we stand or is it simply something we are vying for?
Only we can answer this question.
Philippians 1:27, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”.
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