What is Virtue?

We can only be virtuous as long as it benefits us.

This is true for all animals in their natural state, including man. "Hoping for something in return" is the real motive behind most of our "virtue" and altruism -- whether we are conscious of it or not. Unselfish virtue would require being virtuous for virtue's own sake, whether it benefits us or not.

Giving to charities, going to church, singing praises to Him, "spreading the Gospel", obeying the ten commandments, feeding the hungry or doing anything else to receive "Brownie points" from God, may be "serving" God, but it is not unselfish virtue. Since we mortals have so much to gain and so much to lose, are we really capable of unselfish virtue (or unselfish love)?

God is immortal with nothing to gain and nothing to lose. This is why He can not only define virtue and love -- but also BE virtue and love. For this reason, I believe the only place actual "unselfish" virtue or love can be found is in God. However, God chose to "breathe" His Spirit into mankind. For this reason, I believe we mortals are capable of unselfish virtue (and unselfish love). But when it occurs, it is not from us, but from God within us. When we truly "love God", we "mirror" His love back to Him. When we truly "love others", we are sharing God's love. And, if we are ever "unselfishly virtuous", it is His virtue in effect, not ours.

"So what," one may ask, "can we really do for God ourselves"?

We can make ourselves available for Him to use. We can be the "conduit" through which His virtue and love enters into the world. We can say, "Here I am, God -- use me."