Does your family have family values? How do you exemplify Christ to your children? As Christian parents, we know how important it is to have an example of what it means to “live like Christ.” While values have become popular in recent times, Biblically Centered was developed out of wanting to have objectionable standards for Christian living.

Have you heard the word “virtues?” How would you define that and what does that mean to you?

What is virtue?

Virtues are time-tested, measurable, and can be objectively thought about. They spring out from a dedication in your heart. Family values aren’t necessarily bad and can be helpful, but in today’s culture, we need a firm foundation that isn’t subjective.

Virtues are concrete things that emphasize God’s characteristics and help us learn more about God. They are rooted in God’s Word.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that the words we say really do mean a lot. We have to almost define every word we say so that we can be on the same page with people. When our words become twisted or have different meanings, we realize that we’ve encountered linguistic theft. We believe that going back to classical virtues will help us alleviate this strain and help us better define what it looks like to live a life dedicated to Christ.

Virtues are seen over and over in the Old and New Testament. They show us what God is like and how our lives can emulate Him. Our Biblical Family Virtues stem from these qualities.

Virtue THEN

Webster’s original 1828 dictionary defines virtue as “a sense of strength, substance or quality, moral goodness, abstaining from vice, practice of moral duties, and ultimately sincere love of God and His laws.” Virtue is “voluntary obedience to (God’s) truth.”

Virtue NOW

Today virtue is defined as “a beneficial quality or power of a thing, a commendable quality, conformity to a standard of right (of a particular moral).” Virtue has become vague.

A history of virtue.

In 1780 “virtue” outranked in usage over “moral” and “value.” By 1810, “moral” and “value” had become more popular than “virtue.” And by 1830, “value” overpowered both “moral” and “virtue.” Within 50 years, we left virtue in the dust and instead championed the very subjective idea of “value.”

Aristotle defined virtue as “a point between a deficiency or an excess.” Virtue is a golden mean—or what is the “right” between the two extremes. Classical virtues are definable and objectionable, thus they can be measured in one’s life.

We’d like to propose that pursuing virtue is about our pursuit of Christ. It’s how our behavior shows our inmost being and where our dedication truly lies.

Virtue versus Value

Virtues come from God, values come from within you. Virtues are God’s law passed down through generations. They are about inward change being expressed outward. Virtues do not change and are formed from God’s Word. Values are just things people believe and everyone’s are just as valid as someone else's. They are placed within the individual and society, not rooted in God.

Virtues give us accountability. Instead of focusing on what not to do, they help us choose what we’re doing based on what we believe is right according to God’s Word.

Living like Christ

As we ask ourselves, “What kind of person do I want to be?” We want our response (and our children’s) to be, “I want to be like Jesus Christ.” Who we are should be rooted in the context of Jesus.

Having a foundation of virtue gives us confidence to live a life pleasing to God. Developing biblical virtue leads us to God’s Word and challenges us to seek Him in every aspect of our lives.

With biblical virtue, we can continue to be like Christ each and every single day.