For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
Add to your faith – for those of us from certain doctrinal backgrounds, the very words make us squirm. Some may have even decided not to read further. But Peter is not talking about works. Earlier in his letter he makes clear that faith is a gift and in fact we’ve been given everything we need for a godly life. God’s promises are neither earned nor deserved. Yet remarkably, God calls us to participate in our own spiritual development and outcome.
Peter lets us know the ingredients that will help produce a loving character. I want that. But it will require some work as well as some intentionality. He uses the word effort. That’s not a word usually associated with spiritual growth. The qualities he lists should be present in every believer, but I should pursue to possess them in increasing quantity. Always.
For those of us who desire knowing Jesus better, this is actually the path - our character and knowledge working together as we become like Him. The result of a life growing in love is one that is also effective and productive in the knowledge of our Lord. And it all starts with faith.
