| “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue” (2 Peter 1:5). |
| The word “virtue” really means moral courage, and it is a quality that is much needed today. Do we, as Christians, have the courage to think and act before the Lord, with the resolution to stand firmly for what would be honoring to Him, instead of giving way to moral weakness? Moral weakness is not having the courage to do the right thing. It is noteworthy that it is the first quality that Peter exhorts his readers to add to their faith, for without it, all the other qualities are not going to be exhibited either. It is the first building block! |
| As young people, we want to be accepted as ‘part of the group,” and this tendency can lead us to compromise our faith and the teachings of God’s Word, in order to be accepted. I remember having this same feeling, when I was a young person. Out in the world today, many young people have joined a so-called “gang,” not mainly because they wanted to do wrong, but because they wanted to be accepted. Then, when the gang goes wrong and commits a crime (which usually happens), they follow the crowd, and get into trouble. |
| We see this trait of moral courage exemplified in Daniel, who made a firm resolution — he “purposed in his heart” not to defile himself with the king’s meat, and the wine which he drank. Did Daniel and his three friends stand out among other young men in the same situation? I am sure they did, and perhaps had to endure jeers and “cat calls” as they ate a vegetarian diet and drank water, while the others ate meat and drank wine. But they did not give in, and this diet was not only for a short time; evidently it lasted three years. But the Lord honored their courage and faith, and at the end of that time, Nebuchadnezzar found them “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm” (Daniel 1:20). God does honor faith and courage, and we can count on Him for strength and help to have this moral courage. Again, it is specially needed today! |
