For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 NABRE
Peter is speaking to the community about all that has been given including a share in the divine nature. Therefore we are called to make every effort to attain fullness of virtue, in imitation of God Himself. To grow in the Christian life we cannot be passive, we must exert ourselves with all our strength. We are not a source of virtue, but having received “everything that makes for life and devotion” (2 Peter 1:3) we must actively seek to grow in virtue. Peter then links eight qualities beginning with “faith” and ending with “love.” The Christian life begins with faith and ends with love. We see the progression of virtues one building on the other. It is not an all-inclusive list, nor is it truly a step-by-step progression. Peter links the virtues by adding to them, he supplements them. First is faith it is the basic response to believe. Knowledge, keeps us on the right track and helps us avoid destruction. Self-control, helps us resist disordered desires and the corruption of the world. Endurance, helps us continue on the right path, despite trials. Devotion is our behavior animated by reverence for God and respect for others. Spiritual affection, refers to a love between brothers and sisters in the community, it enables us to be in harmony with God as a group. Love, is to love God above all things and to love others as ourselves.
We must work toward these virtues to grow in the Christian life. We are to witness these qualities and show that God is our Master whom we seek every minute of the day.
Are you growing? Do you work toward the Christian life?
We must work toward Peter's listed virtues to grow in the Christian life. We are to witness these qualities and show that God is our Master whom we seek every minute of the day. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #supplement #virtue #Peter #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways