Add Virtue

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; …” 2 Peter 1v5 (KJV)

“But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be good, …” 2 Peter 1v5 (TLB)

“For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), …” 2 Peter 1v5 (AMP)

As believers who have obtained precious gifts from God (see 2 Peter 1v3-4), we are encouraged that in addition to our faith, we must add some qualities, one of which is virtue or goodness. The dictionary describes virtue as “the quality or practice of moral excellence or righteousness,” “goodness” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/virtue?s=t). Child of God, how is your character? Do you strive for excellence in the things that are put in your care? Are you still “shoddy” in your dealings, and using a God understands excuse? Can you be trusted? Are you a person of your word? Are you abounding in good works? Are you competent in the things that have been placed in your care? Galatians 6v10 (AMP) tells us “So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].” We need to make every effort to add to our faith virtue/goodness; and the Holy Spirit can help us to grow in it, as goodness is one of the works that His presence within us accomplishes (Galatians 5v22-23).  

Prayer

Father God, we thank You for Your Word this day. We pray that by Your grace and through the working of Your Spirit in us we would abound in goodness, and virtue and moral excellence in Jesus name, amen.