Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 26 & 27; 2 Peter 1; Micah 4; Luke 13
2 Peter 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Peter here is telling us how to grow in grace. He says that we must add to our faith or allow our faith in Jesus to grow to its full potential. There are seven aspects of a faith-filled Christian life.
1. Virtue – this is a masculine term meaning manliness. It means that a Christian man should be a valiant man of courage and character. For a woman, it would be the Proverbs 31 woman of virtue. A believer’s faith is to grow and transform their character into a virtuous integrity that is evident.
2. Knowledge – A believer is to grow in knowledge. There is learning to do in the Christian life. This means teaching and doctrine should be a part of a believer’s life so they can gain knowledge.
3. Temperance – A believer is to be a person who is under self-control. As a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) this aspect of godly character means a person is not motivated by fleshly or sensual desires. The growing Christian is learning to control the desires of the flesh and overcome them by walking in the Spirit.
4. Patience – A mature Christian knows that waiting and watching are a big part of the Christian life. Growth and kingdom work are not overnight things that spring up quickly. We must wait upon the Lord like a farmer who plants a crop and patiently waits for the mature grain.
5. Godliness – This word means piety. This is learning to live a holy life. Spiritual growth produces qualities in the believer that are like those of the Lord Jesus Christ. Becoming more loving and faithful would be examples of godliness.
6. Brotherly kindness – A love for the brethren is very important as a Christian. We are a family in God’s household. We must love one another. Jesus has commanded us! (John 13:34-35).
7. Charity – This is the ultimate aim of growth in grace. Since God is love (1 John 4:8) we are growing more like our Heavenly Father. We are learning to be loving people.
Growing in grace means becoming more loving in the name of Jesus! Not only do we love God more but we love others more. We also love what God loves!
In Christ,
Rody
