How to Read and Study the Bible
Step Two: Virtue

VIRTUE: conformity to a standard of right.
MORALITY: a doctrine or system of moral conduct; conformity to ideals of right human conduct. Webster's 9th New Collegiate Dictionary c 1984 by Merriam-Webster Inc.

Romans 6:1-5,11-12,23
1 John 5

From the definition, I think that you should be able to see that virtue means to live upright before God. We have been made new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and now God wants us to live up to his moral standard. The United States seems pretty much void of morality today. Everyone wants to live life their own way and refuse to hold even our traditional moral standards in esteem. We can also see the effects of a low moral standard on our nation.

This is the first place that most Christians begin experiencing difficulty. This is somewhat understandable considering the attitudes and conditions in which we are living. Yet, God's Word is clear. HE FORBIDS US TO KNOWINGLY LIVE IN SIN.

See, faith and baptism brings us to this point. Notice how Romans 6:4 points us from baptism to the new life that we are suppose to walk (live) in. The problem is that most Christians either don't know how to or refuse to live in accordance with God's word. In other words, they don't want to change. However, scriptures make it clear that we are now new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17).

God wants us to live according to his word. Most people say that they love God. The only way for us to prove that we truly love the Lord is for us to start keeping his commandments (His Word.)

Romans 6:16

Remember, Paul is writing here to Christians. He is letting them know that if they continue to live in sin, then their reward will be death. If they obey the word, they will obtain eternal life through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. There is no choice. This is the next step in growing.