“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” 2 Peter 1:5-7
Without faith it is impossible to please God, but there is more to faith than miracles and signs. Peter lists the ‘supporting cast’ of faith for us in his second epistle.
When Peter wrote, “add to your faith”, the implication is that faith is the foundation upon which the rest of our walk is built. Seven qualities are mentioned as additions to faith; they are: virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience (perseverance), godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (love). How do we develop these qualities in our lives? Verse 5 tells us it is by “giving all diligence”. In other words, effort is required on our part.
Faith is not magic; it is not positive or possibility thinking. Faith is a verb which acts on the promises, commands, or warnings of God. We see this clearly explained in Hebrews 11. Furthermore, as we yield our heart to God, we begin to see glorious changes take place in our own life. The new birth is truly a transformed life — and it’s all because of the amazing grace of God.
As we endeavor to live by God’s Word today, may the grace of Jesus Christ empower us to abide in Him and be fruitful.
