-Devotional-

7 Virtues

 

Love, Faith, Truth, Courage, Wisdom, Temperance, and Justice. 

READ; 2 Peter 1:5-8

 

Song: If That Isn’t Love;  Number 379

1) Love: 1Corinthians 13:1-13

Song: Father I Adore You;  Number 53

 

Song: Living by Faith;  Number 560

2) Faith: Hebrews 11:1-6

Song: Faith is the Victory;  Number 469

 

Song: Standing on the Promises;  Number 452

3) Truth: What is Truth?  One answer is that truth is an essential perfection of the Godhead.  Jesus said, “He who sent me is true.” (John 8:26).  Jehovah is described as “a God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4).  His truth endures (Psalm 117:2).  Even Nebuchadnezzar came to see that all of God’s works are truth (Daniel 4:37).  Likewise Christ is truth.  He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Paul said, “The truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:21).  Similarly the Holy Spirit is truth.  One of His titles is “the Spirit of truth” (John 16:13).  The beloved disciple said, “The Spirit is truth” (1John 5:6).

(TRUTH one of the Seven Cardinal Sins By Ross W. Dye, Pg. 2 Par. 2.)

Song: I Know Whom I Have Believed;  Number 524

 

Song: Anywhere with Jesus;  Number 414

4) Courage: The courageous attitude of the apostles was expressed by Peter, saying, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).  Their lives were always in danger, but they dared to preach anyway.  Knowing the right way is important, but knowledge is of little value if the courage to do the right is wanting.  A man of courage will do right no matter that it may cost him dearly to do so.  A man of courage will not be a summer soldier or a fair weather disciple.  Once he has put his hand to the plow, he will not look back.  It is for him to “be a hero in the strife.”  The ringing battle-cry is: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1Corintians 16:13).  When confronted by any form of evil the Christian must be resolved to never give in no matter what the cost.

(Courage one of the Seven Cardinal Virtues by Ross W. Dye, Pg.8)

Song: Onward, Christian Soldier;  Number 646

 

Song: Is it Well With Your Soul ?;  Number 489

5) Wisdom: Proverbs 3:13-18

Song: Blessed Assurance;  Number 480

 

Song: Farther Along;  Number 753

6) Temperance: 1Corinthians 9:24-27

To say that one is temperate is to say that he controls himself.  When one has a Christian understanding of his two natures (physical and spiritual), he can appreciate the value of self-control.

Song: Love Lifted Me;  Number 453

 

Song: Trust and Obey;  Number 915

7) Justice: Christians are taught to be followers of God (Ephesians 5:1).  An important element of Christian character is justice.  It is required of elders that they be just (Titus 1:8).  This means to be fair and equitable in dealing with one’s fellow man.  Perhaps one feels incensed when criminals escape the demands of justice.  What about the requirements of justice in every day life?  Is it not necessary to be fair?  The servants of Cornelius called him “a just man” (Acts 10:22).  This was a high compliment.  As his servants, they had opportunity to see how Cornelius handled the issues that came before him.  In their experience they found the centurion to be fair with everybody.

(Justice one of the Seven Cardinal Virtues by Ross W. Dye, Pg.7 par.2)

Song: Higher Ground;  Number 539