In 2 Pete 1, we find a list of qualities that are to be added to our faith. These qualities are such that like faith, we cannot go to the store and buy more, yet we need to increase in them, so that our faith is growing, so that we are maturing, and so that we can become bearers of fruit as Peter concludes the thought. Notice our text today:
[2Pe 1:5-10 NKJV] 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to
godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, [you] will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
Faith is that central piece of our call and election being sure. It is that which has always been expected throughout the dispensations, and it is that which has been built on man’s relationship with an eternal God and Creator who has by His creation, care, and revealed word provided the basis for our faith and the growth of it to something that is fully formed. It is this kind of progression which we observe throughout the Old Testament with Characters such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets.
God provided His goodness which speaks to us of Him and certainly should be enough for us to begin to have faith. Paul describes this seed as making all men without excuse (Rom 1:20). It is from learning these truths that we build trust, then we find revealed in His word a series of promises which in our present age we have the ability to see and observe the wonderful ways in which over generations, and centuries, God has completed all of these. Yet there remains a promise yet to be fulfilled – that of our eternal life through Christ Jesus at His return. Faith then is that belief and trust in what God has said He will do and is foundational for our relationships.
Even in our relationships with other people, we can see that trust between the parties of the relationship, as well as faith are the building blocks of respect with is developed between individuals. So then it is that which causes or compels us to be obedient to God. Faith is that thing which God wants from us who grope for and seek for Him (Heb 11:6).
So it is to that which Peter says we must add to it so that it will grow. The first thing he describes then is virtue. If we examine how the Greek word has been translated, we will find a few different ways in which this has been expressed. The NET describes it as excellence, and the NASB20 has translated it as moral
excellence. W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says, “intrinsic eminence, moral goodness, virtue”. So this thing that we are building on our faith with is supplying moral character and goodness which is essential in qualities that we must possess and develop for our faith to grow. So it is that which becomes desirable and pure in our actions, in our words, and in our thoughts. It becomes purity, godliness and love.
If we continue to follow Peter’s description of things which we should be adding as building blocks upon our faith, we see that these things go together and lead us on a journey of growth with a focus on eternity.
We see that this godliness goes hand-in-hand with brotherly kindness (our relationships to one another), and also that of love which is that fondness and familiarity that grows within us and makes us comfortable in the relationship. This is that culminating quality which as it increases causes that of longsuffering and sacrifice wherein we find God has loved us so much that He sent His own Son a sacrifice for our sin (Jhn 3:16-17) and so commands that we love one another (John 15:12).
These virtues represent then things which help us to have that assurance of our salvation (2 Pete 2:10). They are things which I think could be encompassed in Paul’s instruction to Timothy to “…exercise yourself toward godliness.”. This growth of faith and development of Chrisan Character then is that which is profitable for us both in this life and that which is to come (1 Tim 4:7-8). We must then be growing and increasing in our faith and in giving diligent efforts to adding these characteristics which are found in 2 Peter 1:5-8 so that we can insure a productive walk in Christ and be assured of our relationship and reward.
Faith is founded on the promises of God. He promised a permanent solution for mankind’s sins. He delivered on that promise. He has promised eternal life; we can trust and believe that He will deliver on that promise. So our faith should compel our obedience because He has also promised that a judgement and eternal destruction is coming for all who reject Christ. (Jhn 12:48). What are you doing with this knowledge?