Ading to Faith

2 Peter 1

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. (v. 15-17)

These seven attributes of the Christian life are as stepping stones into the portals of grace. As we “add” to each element, we rise higher, as if climbing a ladder, and we find another height of maturity. We begin with faith, that is already a “given”; it is the beginning of our life as a Christian. Then there are seven additions, the first being virtue. Virtue is defined as a “moral excellence” or the power of righteousness seen in holy living. This is to be added to our existing faith. Then, along with virtue, and at some point along the way, we are to add again. The Christian life seems to be a life of addition and subtraction, but here we are more concerned with addition for the time being. So then, let us not be lacking in knowledge; this must be added to virtue, and of course in the progression of faith. This speaks of “knowledge of the Holy” for how can we seek that which we do not know about? We must get close to God, and attempt to know Him, through His Word. These are the patterns of growth, if you will receive it. But what is knowledge without temperance? We can have a knowledge of God, and a faith in God, but without the restraints of temperance, all is vain and useless. Temperance is moderation; it is doing right habitually, and being steadfast in our Christian walk. We need this lest we become captive to diverse temptations and lusts; temperance is the lack of indulgence and excess. To temperance we must add patience, to keep it in perspective. This is perseverance in spite of obstacles and attitudes. It is very similar to temperance, but with an extra boost to it. Patience is waiting on God, and not rushing ahead on our own, but it is also suffering quietly whatever befalls us. With all these we must attain to godliness, which is purity in all forms; it is purity in body, in soul, and in spirit, as well as mentally and socially. Godliness may be the epitome of Christian graces, and essential to the testimony and influence we might have with others. Then we will find brotherly kindness. Let us leave off all bickering and contention, and seek to be at peace with our brethren. Only true godliness will allow us to find this peace. And, finally, to brotherly kindness, charity, which is at the very top of the ladder in Christian graces. Charity is love in action; it is the epitome of the excellence of love, and is most simply put, “others minded”. Charity is giving, the greatest test of true love. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” this is charity in its fullest. Peter goes on to say that if these things be in us, and abound, we will not be unfruitful (v. 8), and we will “never fall” (v. 10). Perhaps these are the “stepping stones of faith” and comparable to a stairway into Heaven.