Virtue is like perfume.  When it is sweet smelling it refreshes the one who wears it, the one who smells it, and the environment.  Whoever enters that environment while the perfume is still in the air, gets to partake of the sweet smell circulating in the air.  A good virtue leaves a rewarding and long lasting good impression.

3 Key all-embrassing Christian Virtues coined from the word “RAW”

1. Godly Reputation
2. Godly Apparel
3. Godly Wisdom

The bible tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  There is no one righteous, no, not one.  This means that in our raw state as human beings, as women, good or godliness is not innate in/to us, no, not by God’s standard.  And by the way, that is the only standard that counts both here and in eternity.

As you may know, our own standard of righteousness is like filthy rags before God.  However, as we allow the word of God to transform us and let the Holy Spirit help us cultivate godly virtues, our original Adamic/raw nature begins to give way to the 3 key all-embrassing christian virtues listed:

1.   Developing a Godly Reputation becomes a pursuit in that, a deliberate, consistent, and progressive effort is made to live a daily Christ-like life.  It becomes important what people hear about you, how people see you, etc.  Deu 28:10 tells us that earth-people will see that you are called by the name of God when they see your obedience (manifest in your godly reputation) to the word of God and His corresponding blessings upon you.  It will be known that you and Christ are on the same side just as people saw the Apostles and perceived that they had been with Christ.  Christ nature is inputed into you so that your reputation (i.e. what is seen, heard, felt, observed, etc, about you) and His begins to gel and fit.  Proverbs 22:1 tells us that “a good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold”.

2.    Wearing a Godly Apparel becomes a passion and a practice.  Character/temperament/ behaviour/traits/disposition/etc, all form the apparel that people see on you and me.  It begins to matter how you relate, speak, behave, think, etc.  The cultivation of and continuous growth in the fruit of the Holy Spirit (i.e. love, joy, kindness, patience, self control, etc – Galatians 5:22-23) becomes imperative.

It is a known truth that pretending can only be for a time.  By their fruit ye shall know them…  In no time, the real person will begin to show its colour.  Why?  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…  As a man (woman) thinketh in his (her) heart, so is he (she)….  Even thoughts also speak!

The virtuous woman in the book of Proverbs 31 is reputed to have been clothe with genuine strength and honour and not with outward beauty and apparel that the world seems to pursue after today.  Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight… – 1Peter 3:3-4.  Does this mean not to look modestly good?  No; not at all.  To quote Charles Bridges, “Let virtue, not beauty, be the primary object”.

3.   Manifesting Godly Wisdom becomes an insatiable and growing desire and a lifetime pursuit.  Biblical example of the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31) is one whose conversation is seasoned with grace and godliness.  She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness.  She is a good planner, organiser and investor.  She is diligent and profit-oriented yet has time enough to show kindness to the poor and needy.  She understands the times and seasons and makes adequate arrangement to make sure she and her household are not weather-beaten.  She cares for her household and fears the Lord.  Because of her, her husband is honoured amongst his mates.  Altogether, she is a jewel of inestimable value.  And she is for real!  This is wisdom.  I challenge you to start practicing godly virtues and see how you transform into her personality, which she took after Christ.

It is wisdom that will make a woman build her home like the  virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10-31) and not tear it down like the foolish woman in Proverbs 14:1.  Also, in Proverbs 4:6-9  – “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.  Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.   Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour.”

Need we say more!

Prayers

1. If you have not yet asked Christ into your life, which means you are not yet born again.  Now, there is no way you can cultivate and grow in RAW unless you have Christ in you.  It is only through Christ that you are strengthened to do all things.  You need now to repent and confess your sins, ask Jesus to forgive you and come into your life and be your Saviour and Lord.
2. Ask God to give you grace to daily cultivate and grow in godly virtues.
3. Ask the Holy Spirit who is the One who enables you to grow in grace, to fill you with His power so that you will not fall or fail in this decision.
4. Ask God to give you grace to finish strong and to obtain a good reward.
5. Thank God for answered prayers.
6. Believe you have what you have prayed for and it is yours.  Yes, it is as simple as that – See for yourself in the Bible, Mark 11:22-24

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