Mere Christianity BK 3 Ch 2 (NOTES & THOUGHTS)

Book 3

Chapter 2

Prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude. These are what we call The Cardinal Virtues.

Prudence simply means common sense. Weighing what you are about to do and how it is going to affect the future. This should be a virtue in everybody's life. 

"In fact, because Christ said we could only get into His world by being like children, many Christians have the idea that, provided you are 'good', it does not matter being a fool."

The Bible says to be Child-like. Even so, Children actually do show a lot of prudence. 

Temperance now means something different than it used to. Back then it meant not to just abstain from drinking, but from all sin. The whole point is to abstain from all sinful pleasures for the right reason. A type of bad man will only give up sinfulness if everyone else does too. An individual Christian must give up their sinful nature for the mere choice to obey God. 

Justice is much more than what goes on in court. It means fairness, honesty, give and take, truthfulness, and keeping promises. Justice serves the truth. Justice is in pursuit of the truth. Fortitude is the courage to practice all these things. Another word for it is 'guts'. We must not pick and choose when we feel like it's the right time to do something 'good'. No, we renew our mind and become this person that is acceptable to God. And we do it because it pleases Him. 

(I highly recommend that you read this book for yourself. If you would like to purchase the book, CLICK HERE)

Happy Reading!

-Ariana :)