Our Faith Must Become a Part of What We Do
April 14, 2022
Commentary
Peter urges his people to equip their lives with every virtue and to be content with nothing less than the most splendid life. Let us look at the list of virtues which he says we need to add one to another:
It begins with faith (v. 5). It is the unquestioning certainty that the way to happiness and peace and strength on earth and in heaven is to accept Him at His Word.To faith must be added virtue (v. 5). It means excellence. It is that which makes a man a good citizen and friend.To virtue must be added knowledge (v. 5). That which enables a man to decide rightly and to act honorably and efficiently in the day to day circumstances of life.To this practical knowledge must be added self-control (v. 6). It means literally the ability to take a grip of oneself. It is where reason fights against passion and prevails.To this self-control must be added steadfastness (v. 6). It is usually translated patience but this is too passive a word. It includes the voluntary and daily suffering of difficult things.To this steadfastness must be added piety (v. 6). This word is quite untranslatable. A man who worships God but always correctly serves his fellow man and gives him his due. To this piety must be added brotherly affection (v. 7). Literally means love of the brethren. A kind of religious devotion which separates a man from his fellow-men.The ladder of Christian virtue must end in Christian love (v. 7). The Christian must show to all men the love which God has shown to him.If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful (v. 8). But if you don’t grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven (v. 9).
Application
Of these eight virtues above, which two do I feel I possess in the greatest measure and which one do I need to work on the most?
2 Peter 1:5– 9 (NET)
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; 6 to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; 7 to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. 8 For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately. 9 But concerning the one who lacks such things —he is blind. That is to say, he is nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins.