Sermon On Virtue

Matshona Dhliwayo, a Zimbabwean-born and Canadian-based philosopher, entrepreneur and author once remarked: “When truth looks in the mirror, virtue looks out. When courage looks in the mirror, faith looks out. When charity looks in the mirror, love looks out. When contentment looks in the mirror, peace looks out.” 2 Peter 1:5-8 confirms: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Virtue is defined as a behavior that depicts high moral standards. It promotes integrity, solidity and significantly features kindness and understanding toward others.

There is a charming fairytale, written by Charles Perrault of France which features a young girl by the name of “Cinderella.” Who, for some, may encourage a certain and distinct hope to meet their own Prince Charming later in life, fall hopelessly in love with each other and eventually marry to live happily ever after, despite any existing adversities that may be prevalent in life.

The story itself is a timeless fable that demonstrates the moral that virtue in a person can be greatly rewarded. Kindness overcomes and replaces evil and constantly prevails to the benefit of all. Cinderella is a beautiful young girl who is treated harshly and with evil intent by a wicked stepmother and her two step-sisters. She is largely treated as a slave by those she lives with, but is allowed little freedom to enjoy life. She is sweet and kind in nature even though she, herself suffers constant abuse. One day, her fairy godmother steps in to rescue her and change her life for the better. Proverbs 11:18 reminds us: “The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.”

Like the intention of the story, kindness and reward can create an everlasting glow of happiness and optimism within, which can radiate to others and demonstrates how one should live their lives to the best effect. Goodness creates goodness and the more that this prevails in the world, the more enjoyable and pleasant life will become for all.

If we consider virtue as an important goal in life, then the potential to benefit and enhance others’ lives will be greatly increased. Everyone in life has the ability to increase the potential and abilities of others by demonstrating virtue. If we show that we care about one another, then we can create courage and strength within them. They may be able to tackle and overcome disadvantages that they currently fear are insurmountable. Support is sometimes essential to maintain stability and growth in another, especially if they are of a weak nature or lack confidence in themselves. Ephesians 4:2 reminds us: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

God can be our lifeline and Saviour. Just as Cinderella experienced a love and a compassion that she had never before encountered, which gave her internal strength and fortitude, so we may experience the same from God.

Ephesians 3:20-21 confirms: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”

Some may wonder if a person one is proposing to marry is at God’s will. Just as many people dream of marrying their own ideal person, so the Bible relates a similar story to Cinderella to confirm that this may sometimes be the case. Genesis 24:21-27 informs us: “The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not.

When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?”

She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master's kinsmen.”

This is the story of Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac is in need of a spouse and Abraham seeks the right person for him by sending his servant to find one. The servant prays to God for the right girl. The initial kindness that Rebekah shows to a complete stranger by offering to quench, not only his thirst, but also those of his camels displays the virtuous qualities that a good wife should possess.. She also offers shelter to him. The servant is impressed by her thought and consideration. However, even though Isaac and Rebekah mutually fell for one another, little time had passed before the betrothal to establish a proper relationship. The blessing of the right betrothal to the correct person is from God. It may take time to achieve, but it will be well worth the wait.