Christians: How do we explain Grace and Virtue?

Question

As a Christian (Catholic) who has shared a little in the Divinity of Christ through Grace and Virtue, I find it hard to explain these terms to non-believers who say that they "can't feel" God. Christian life is not an emotion that comes and goes, it is more than that. It is an eternal joy that is always there.

The thing about Christ is that you can't know him until you meet him. (Divine Relationship).

Grace and Virtue and not just words that we say, our aim is to live it in union with Christ.

So, How do we convince non-believers to give God a chance to come in.

Like God said: "I stand at the door of your heart knocking, if you hear me and open the door I will come in and dine with you" Rev 3:20

Answer 1

I admire your knowledge and your intentions but I don't think we can convince anyone of anything. Only God's knock on the door if responded to can open a persons heart so that they might be able to really hear what you and I say. All we can do is offer it. If it falls on deaf ears, so be it. We still have to keep trying.

Answer 2

Grace from what? Do you know?

Without a full understanding of the need for Grace then it makes no sense. It is meaningless so it is easily thrown away.

Do you know yourself why you need Jesus?

The following should help with the need for Grace.


Are you a good person? What a question, most of us believe that we are good people because we can look around and find someone that is far worse than we are. We can always point to the things that we think make us a good person.

But how good are we really? Dare we take this test and look at ourselves and see if we really are good? Hmmm.

If you are willing try this and see just how good a person you are.

The Good Person Test.

How will you do? Pass or fail?


Have you ever told a lie?
Doesn't matter how big or small, just a lie.
What does that make you? Before answering think about this, if I told you a lie what would you call me? A liar?

Have you ever stolen anything? Cost doesn't matter, a piece of gum, failed to give back an ink pen that you borrowed, anything.
What does that make you?

Jesus said, "You know the saying of old, you shall not commit adultery but I say that if look at someone to lust after them you have committed adultery in your heart.
Have you ever lusted?

Jesus said that hate is equal to murder.
Have you ever hated anyone?

See one day we all are going to stand before a Holy God on Judgment Day and he is going to judge us based on His Holy Law, the Ten Commandments. These are just 4 of them and how did you do? Guilty? I have broken all of these and more, what about you? How well will you do on Judgment Day?

If we break just one point of God's Law we are guilty of breaking all the law and Gods Wrath abides upon us all. Based on God's Law we are all guilty and all are deserving of punishment. But there is an out for us.

Jesus paid the price for each one of us, took on himself God's Wrath so we wouldn't have to face it on our own. Jesus was beaten, battered, bleed and died so we wouldn't have to face God's Wrath. He rose again so that we would life in his presence. Our crimes, His payment.

The real question is where will you stand on Judgment Day. Pay yourself or have it paid for you. Think about it.

Answer 3

FAITH is the virtue of believing the evidence for what is not physically seen, but what God has promised. ( Heb. 11:1,6)

VIRTUE is the quality of moral excellence, including righteousness and goodness. (Gal. 5:22,23)

KNOWLEDGE is the virtue of a personal awareness and understanding of God's person, works, and revealed will. ( Prov. 2:3-5; Col. 1:10; 2 Pet. 3:18)

SELF-CONTROL is the virtue of governing one's thoughts, choices, and physical desires by one's spirit--empowered by God's Spirit. (Prov. 25:28; Rom. 6:12)

PERSEVERANCE is the virtue of steady persistence in adhering to one's commitment to Christ's mission and message. (Rom. 5:3; James 1:4; 5:7)

GODLINESS is the virtue of expressing reverence for God by personal devotion and Christ-like character. (1 Tim 2:1,2; 4:7)

BROTHERLY KINDNESS is the virtue of genuine affection and love toward others, as befitting kinship in the family of God. (Rom. 12:10; Col. 3:12)

LOVE is the virtue of treating others according to the value God has placed upon them. (John 13:34,35)

The Lord Jesus illustrated the dynamic of Christian living with the metaphor of the vine. He is the true vine, the Father is the vine dresser, we (as believers) are the branches, and the fruit is the evidence of His indwelling life. (This illustration shifts the role of gardener to the God the Father, in order to emphasize the dynamic source of the Christian's virtues.)

To bear this fruit the disciple must abide in Christ (John 15:4). What does it mean to ABIDE in Christ? Frederic Godet defined it this way: "'To abide in me [Christ]' expresses the continual act by which the Christian sets aside everything which he might derive from his own wisdom, strength, merit, to draw all from Christ."

Just as a cultivated flower bed is more lush than an uncultivated one, the believer who intentionally values, prays, and decides for these virtues will see God's grace revealed in these ways. We need to keep PULLING WEEDS like pride, bitterness, and self-sufficiency

And for the poster who said Catholics were not Christians,Catholics were the first Christians. Jesus placed His Church into Peter's hands.

Answer 4

First of all - Catholics aren't Christian they are Catholic

Secondly we explain it just like the dictionary does. Our responsibility isn't to convince anyone. Our responsibility is to share the gospel and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.