ADD to Your FAITH, VIRTUE
2 Peter 1:5 - “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;”
The Apostle Peter, in the first four verses, touches on what God has done and what He has given us to enjoy our Christian life. In verses five to twelve, Peter mentions the need for all God’s people, who receive His blessings, to be diligent in all things.
All blessings have to be received with thanksgiving and with all seriousness. However, Peter says that is not all. It is time to invest our time and effort into what has been given to us. God is pleased to see all His blessings multiply and abound in us. It begins with adding VIRTUE to faith.
Faith is what God has given us, but only through diligence and godly virtue can we manifest God and reveal His glory through us. It would be a tremendous and excellent opportunity to declare the righteousness of God to others and the world through us.
Virtue is “the habitual capacity of a person to respond freely and consciously to situations in a manner that reflects and intensifies his conformity to Jesus Christ.” This definition reflects the true essence and purpose of godly virtue.
It is not the ability to show how good we are but our conscious and righteous desire to declare with our life how great and gracious God is.
Many claim to have faith but lack godly virtue. They seem to know God but lacking of power. They quickly declare how proud and right they are with what they claim to believe, but their actions send a conflicting message. This is faith without godly virtue.
As “faith without works is dead,” faith that lacks virtue is also dead. It is found in those who try to appear suitable and accurate to what is declared right but are void of compassion and humility. These are Christians who do the right things for the wrong reasons. It includes those who try to produce results using improper means.
The absence of godly virtue is the absence of godliness. This is a common problem we see among Christians today. Credibility is being questioned because virtue is conveniently worn depending on situations.
Godly virtue comes from the Lord. It is only shown through the power of the Holy Spirit. Every believer in Christ has the opportunity and the privilege to show godly virtues, not to promote self but to glorify and magnify the Lord. With all the resources God has provided us, there is no reason for any child of God to NOT “add virtue to the faith” that comes from God.
Join me in Prayer:
My Heavenly Father, you have given me all I need. There is nothing more to ask if only I remain diligent and faithful in the life you gave me.
You have promised me an abundant life. But most of the time, I still come to you questioning why I do not enjoy it. Thank you for making me realize that the reason is that I am not exercising my all diligence and have not invested my life in the seed of faith you have given me.
Forgive me for my pride and stubbornness. My prayer and desire is to be more thankful to You by living a life invested in godly virtue with all diligence. Thank you for listening to my prayers.
I give you all my praise. Give you back the glory I have taken from. I ask all these in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You. Amen!