Read 2 Pet. 1:5-7
This is what I call the list to perfection. I remember studying Thoreau in English and how he had a list of virtues that he worked on one by one to master. But when he got to the last one it was humility which blew his whole mission. Jesus has been the only perfect man to walk the earth and somehow he did it with humility. So let's look at this list. We are to start with faith which is essential to go on which is why we start our walk with salvation - faith in Jesus. We are to add to our faith virtue. Virtue in the Greek means manliness or valor; excellence; praise. Webster adds a love of, or taste for artistic objects; the quality of being artistic, beautiful, rare. I think this means that you take your Christianity seriouslly and respect God's creation as an expression of Himself.
To virtue we are to add knowledge. This goes deeper than an appreciation for the things of God. This is intimacy with God. There is always a call to go deeper with God but few choose to sacrifice the time and effort to do it.
To knowledge we are to add temperance which is self-control and continence. Once we have drawn near to God we need to continue till the end. Walking with God is not a hit and miss, it is a life-style. We are in it for the long haul.
Once we have determined to stay we add patience. Patience is different from self-control in that it is CHEERFUL endurance. It is walking with God with hope and joy, waiting cheerfully for his promises to manifest.
To our patience we are to add godliness. This is when we choose to put away the things of the world and with all our heart we desire Jesus above all else.
To godliness we are to add brotherly kindness. This is the ultimate because it is not about us and our relationship to a perfect God who loves us with strictly pure motives, but this is about another human being who is not perfect and is bound to hurt or disappoint us sometime.
Lastly to our brotherly kindness we are to add charity. The Greek defines charity as love, affection or benevolence; a love feast. This is not our human love but a love from above put in our hearts by God. It goes beyond offenses and petty stuff. It is deep and satisfying.
Lord, help us to grow in all these areas. Thank you for the grace and the desire to go on with you. Be glorified on the earth through your children.
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