Faith, Goodness, Knowledge

We’re examining the virtues of the peace-filled, fruitful Christian life, found in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Continuing yesterday’s post, verse 5 reads:

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge...

“Make every effort.” Just as the growth of physical strength needs hard, consistent working out, so also our spiritual growth. Growth is not for sissies or passives! Recall, God does the saving and sanctifying, but He will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk correctly before Him, that is our responsibility. Oswald Chambers reminds us, “You did nothing to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must ‘work out your salvation’ which God has already woked in you (Phil.2:12). Are your speech, your thinking and your emotions evidence that you are working it ‘out’? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sancatfied you.”

Do You want the peace that comes from knowing God, make every effort – work hard at the following.
The next virtue is faith. Faith, like peace, is both a gift from God and also something that we need to work at. The Bible says, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Consistent Bible study, meditating and memorizing is key in building our faith muscles.

How would you measure your faith? At least two possible ways. One: are you becoming less and less of an anxious person? Worries and fears diminish as our faith in the workings of our sovereign God grows. More faith. Less angst! Another measurement is found in the book of James. Faith without works is dead. Are you walking out your faith, investing in other people’s lives. Is there growth in taming the tongue; in fighting temptation; a lessening of prejudice and self centereness. Does a humble, asking of God, mark your walk? Faith, a virtue of the peace-filled and fruitful Christian life.

The next virtue listed is moral excellence, or some translations say “goodness.”
This word describes itself: good in character or constitution, morally honorable, pleasing to God. Vine’s Dictionary admonishes Christians to “take thought for things honorable (2 Cor.8:21); to do that which is honorable (13:7); not to be weary in well doing (Gal.6:9) to hold fast that which is good (1 Thes.5:21); to be zealous of good works (Tit.2:14); to bear testimony by them )1 Pet. 2:12. How would your accountability partner, your best friend or your spouse evaluate your “goodness?” Are you game to ask?

Work hard, build your faith, be and do good. Now, add to this: knowledge. Knowledge of what? Back to verses 2 and 3 of 2 Pet.1: knowledge of God and of Jesus – the source of everything we need for life and godliness. God has made available all that we need spiritually through our knowledge of Him. The Bible – read it. Meditate on it. Memorize it. The source of everything we need for life and godliness. The Bible not only gives us instruction for successful living (and dying) but also shows us the source of the empowerment for this success – the Holy Spirit. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.”

More on Monday.