“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness… For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith VIRTUE (goodness)…” 2 Peter 1:3, 5

In a time when virtue was usually exchanged for expedience, Polycarp remained an example for all times of the power of a virtuous life.  In life he lived as a man of honesty and integrity, the kind of man who makes a good friend and citizen.  In death, he gave us an example of a noble courage rarely found among men.  Hauled before an angry mob during a time of intense persecution of Christians, Polycarp had only to hail Caesar as lord and offer a tiny pinch of incense at his altar to escape a tortuous death.  Instead, he steadfastly declared, “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

Peter declares that to the faith given us by which we accept God at His word, we are to make every effort to add to our faith this thing called “goodness” or “virtue”.  A word rich in meaning, it is the classic Greek word for virtue describing a man known for his moral and ethical excellence in every aspect of life.  Following the example of Polycarp, such a life is a life lived well and courageously by the divine power given us in Christ – for goodness sake.

FANNING THE FLAME

A friend recently described a situation where he and his wife found themselves in a very dangerous part of a town in another part of the world.  As they rounded a corner in a local marketplace, they noticed a crippled beggar being poked and harassed with sticks and fists by a group of men while onlookers watched and even laughed.  Without thinking, my friend instinctively rushed to defend the beggar against his attackers, all of whom were much bigger than my friend.  While it turned out well, it could be said that his actions were foolish and dangerous for both him and his wife.  How would you have responded in a similar situation?  How does virtue or goodness impact our response injustice around us?  Discussing such questions could be profitable teaching moments with your grandchildren about what a virtuous life looks like when life is anything but safe.

GRANDPAUSE: “Christ became what we are to make us what He is.”  — Wm. Barclay