Chapter seven, Virtue in Action: The Royal Priesthood, strives to address three questions regarding the development of virtues with emphasis on enacting a royal priesthood who anticipate the kingdom of God. Behaving and living as a royal priesthood includes habits of the heart and mind, these habits are the discussed in the first section of chapter seven. Once the habits have been identified it is relevant to discuss how to engage these habits in daily living; especially with concern to ethics and secular tradition. Vocations, a distinct calling every individual has, involve the shaping of the body and mind, this chapter also focuses on ways to avoid sinful behaviour and ultimately the quest to follow Jesus in the royal priesthood and achieve…show more content… A sacrament, a defined by Wright, involves a mysterious accumulation of heaven interacting with life on earth, in doing so the heavenly narrative is transformed into a tangible substance accessible to humans (222). Not only is worship a critical element of an individuals faith journey, but it also bears learned communal merits. Regardless of our unique vocations, all Christians alike posses the invitation to gather and grow together through liturgy generating unity (223). Formal liturgy, as argued by the author, forms habits which through deliberate decisions alter the mind. Through the presence of praise and adoration directed to God, in formal liturgy, humans partake in the perpetual hymn of God’s exaltation as sung by the totality of creation (224). Worshippers are to be cautioned regarding the facility to participate in hollowed out rituals through action and repetitive recitations, to avoid such mannerism it is imperative that a conscious choice and effort be made ultimate achieve true authenticity (223). Being the principle, primary and perfection of personal and public virtues, with an emphasis on love, worship is essential in the process to becoming a fully functioning and morally mature believer…show more content… Early Christians, in the first two centuries of the church, with their Zeal for God are the finest illustration of a transformed church living as Rulers and Priests; persecuted and pestered by authorities these steadfast Christians persevered in proclaiming of God’s providence and deity (225). Through collective living, uplifting and declaration of Jesus’ actions, death and resurrection, the early Christian exemplified the true devotion of becoming rulers (228). Announcing the kerygma, the essential precept that the crucified Jesus rose from the dead to restore humanity, and proclaiming that Jesus is Lord is the evangelistic mission and responsibility for steward of God’s kingdom (227). Characteristics and Fruits of the Spirits such as meekness, love and gentleness, adorned by Jesus the Saviour and sacrificial lamb, are crucial in the mission of the Church; it also require a sustaining and supportive society (229). Not only is the annunciation of God’s love imperative in out mission it is also vital to invite the nations to this renewed lifestyle impacted by a relationship with the Creator; evangelization can be a virtue (230). Since the goal of living virtually is positive habit-formed behaviour that anticipates heaven on earth, the proclamation of Jesus’ healing lordship is essential to all Christians (231).
