The Life of Virtue

“…the believer needs to know that he is partaker of the divine nature, that he has the very nature and spirit of Christ in him, and that his one calling is to yield himself to a perfect conformity to Christ.  The branch is a perfect likeness of the vine; the only difference is the one is great and strong, and the source of strength; the other little and feeble, ever needing and receiving strength.  Even so the believer is, and is to be, the perfect likeness of Christ.” - Andrew Murray

2 Peter 1:3-11

“ ³ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

 ¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

“We are not to be satisfied with one virtue, or one class of virtues, but there is to be

            1. A diligent cultivation of our virtues

            2. Progress made from one virtue to another

            3. an accumulation of virtues and graces”

- Barnes

How do I cultivate virtues in my life?  How regularly do I think about my conformity (or lack thereof) to Christ?  How can I better cultivate virtues?

What virtues am I cultivating right now?  What virtues is God cultivating in me?

What virtues have I accumulated in my life?  What virtues would I like to accumulate in the coming year?  What am I doing to maintain the virtues I have already accumulated?