WHAT HAVE YOU ADDED?

Tuesday 20 May

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control patience, to patience godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 (ESV)

Most Christians think that faith like salvation is personal. This is what we have all been taught since forever. Is it true? The common denominator is that until we choose Christ those things have nothing to do with us. For example when we come into Christ, we now come into predestination which includes salvation by grace through faith. Whose faith? His faith. This is why it’s also called ‘the faith’ in the New Testament along with ‘the faith of the Son of God’. So is faith personal? No. Is the application of faith personal? We’ll find out.

Now when we talk about the subject of faith, it’s vital that we have the right perspective. We should always be thinking about it as finished faith. Not thefaith that was incomplete in the gospels. Who finished it? Jesus. ‘Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith’ as it reads in the original text. Now we have established this truth, Apostle Peter gives us 7 things we need to add to our faith to always be fruitful in our lives. Let’s quickly break them down.

ADD TO means to fully supply and give nourishment to this faith.

The first is VIRTUE. ‘Arete’ in the Greek which means moral goodness or moral excellence in thought, feeling or actions. The way we conduct and carry ourselves in regarding to moral issues is to be added to the faith we profess.

Next is KNOWLEDGE. The word is ‘gnosis’. It means knowledge that is gained from observation or discovery. In this context, it encapsulates all the study of the Word of God you devote yourself to. The scope of knowledge from beginner to advanced that is intentionally acquired through ‘orthotomeo’ or cutting straight.

After knowledge we add SELF CONTROL. ‘Engkrateia’ in Greek means ‘continence’ or to hold one’s self in. In other words, the ability to be temperate or show emotional restraint. Not losing your cool when there is confrontation or circumstantial pressure. There is also an inference of especially being able to master your sensual desires and passions.

And to self control PATIENCE. The Greek word ‘hypermone’ means such things as a cheerful or hopeful endurance. So you’re not gritting your teeth to get through it, rather you are doing it with a smile on your face. A disposition of continuance or patiently waiting with an attitude of steadfastness. Constancy i.e. remaining consistent and unswerving in the faith throughout the situation. Clearly this takes practice.

And to patience, GODLINESS. ‘Eusebeia’ in Greek which means holiness, reverence and respect for God. We could use the term godlikeness as all of these qualities are displayed by Him. God even said ‘be holy as I am holy’. Although we are ‘holy on the inside’ through salvation, we are to put on a Christ consciousness in our thoughts, words and actions. This is our sole responsibility.

To godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS; ‘philadelphia’ in Greek. The best way to describe this is quite simply the love that we show to our brothers and sisters in Christ which the Bible calls ‘the brethren’. This is why Hebrews 13:1 says ‘let brotherly love continue.’ Jesus said after His resurrection ‘go to your brethren and my brethren.’

Lastly but definitely not least is LOVE. ‘Agape’ in Greek basically means God’s kind of benevolent love. Love that shows goodwill and is by nature self-sacrificing and full of generosity. John 3:16 says ‘for God so ‘agapaoed’ (verb) the world that He gave. What did He give? His only begotten son. Now he has many sons that He has brought to glory through Jesus.

That’s quite the list but look at the guarantee for adding these to your faith in Christ. You will always be fruitful in the KNOWLEDGE. (epignosis) of Christ.

This is a whole other level to gnosis where we can become one with the knowledge of what is known! There is a relationship with the knower and the knowledge bringing definite results which can be seen, heard and experienced by ourselves and others. This should be the goal for every believer in all things.

None of this is automatic. We are the ones to add these qualities to our faith. What have you identified that you are now going to add to your faith in Christ?

APPLICATION

Make a daily decision to be mindful of what should be the added components to have fruitful faith and start applying them in your life.