Within a few years of serving in the ministry, there are many things I have had the privilege to see and experience by God’s grace. One of them is believers always praying to God for “things” but failing to give themselves wholly to His calling upon their lives. That has resulted in many Christians living selfish lives, comprising “Give me, give me, God,” instead of giving diligence to their calling in Christ. Today, by the mercies of God, it’s a privilege to write concerning this issue in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Let’s delve deeper.
Verse 5
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,” – 2 Peter 1:5 (NKJV)
In the preceding verses, Peter taught that God has given us Christians everything pertaining to life and godliness, which is good to know. Right? But that’s not all. There is more to do.
God didn’t call us so that we can enjoy His provisions in Christ. There is a part of the work we must collaborate with Him to fulfil His dominion mandate in Christ. And so, in 2 Peter 1:5-7, the apostle listed seven things we must add, one unto another, that will help us to give diligence to our calling in the Lord.
Add to your faith virtue
Yes, Jesus indeed saved us by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8), and just as we received Christ Jesus by faith, we must walk by faith (see Colossians 2:6). However, there is more to add to our lives aside from faith we have. One of them is virtue.
The word “virtue” in 2 Peter 1:5 means excellence. That means we believers are not to hide behind our faith to do anything that doesn’t portray Christ-centred excellence. Perfection is difficult to attain, but excellence is worth standing for. Are you a minister of the gospel? Study the Word diligently and preach the Word excellently. Are you a mother? Raise those kids in godly excellence. Are you an employee, even in a secular workspace? Stand for excellence in your daily activities at work. We believers must never give the enemy any chance to mock the precious Jesus we serve.
Add to virtue (excellence), knowledge
After adding virtue (excellence) to your faith, the next thing to add to your virtue is knowledge, says the Word. Knowledge, as used in the scripture, refers to moral wisdom, as seen in right living. Some believers are very virtuous (excellent) in what they do, yet lack knowledge in living right with people. Such people usually cause problems among others, which doesn’t help at all.
Dear Christian, it is not only faith and excellence you need. You also need to nourish your mind with moral wisdom so that you can live with others well, especially if you find yourself among unbelievers.
Verse 6
“to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,” – 2 Peter 1:6 (NKJV)
In 2 Peter 1:6, the Apostle Peter adds three more things to do in order to give diligence to your calling in Christ to the list he started in the previous verse. Let’s dive in.
Add to knowledge, self-control
Have you ever seen a knowledgeable person struggle to control himself, especially when displaying his knowledge? Oh yes, I have seen some, especially when I was a little child in school. As a believer, you must always remain humble at heart and not let what you know overtake how you relate to others in humility.
In 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NKJV), the Bible says that “… Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” That means that knowledge without humility can destroy a person. Dear Christian, no matter how well-vested you are in knowing God, control yourself. It is not everyone you have to speak to from a high point of knowledge. There are some people you ought to stay quiet when they question you on sensitive topics. Remember that you live for God, not for others. So stay calm and follow Jesus.
Believe God for big things, but do not run ahead of God to do what He has promised you in your own timing, if and only if you want to last long in the ministry.
Add to self-control, perseverance
What is perseverance in the context of this scripture? It refers to steadfastness, constancy or endurance. That is one of the most needed qualities in every believer’s life, especially those who pioneer new ministries, businesses and corporations. You need a lot of patient endurance in whatever God has called you to do, or you will crush it.
This thing I’m speaking to you about goes beyond self-control. Self-control is about you, but perseverance is about you, your divine mandate, and everyone else connected to you regarding God’s assignment. Too many ministries run into debt and other problems because the senior executives refuse to wait upon God’s timing for anything they want to do.
As a senior minister at The Bible Daily Network with experience in building a ministry with our team, please BE PATIENT! Believe God for big things, but do not run ahead of God to do what He has promised you in your own timing, if and only if you want to last long in the ministry.
Add to perseverance, godliness
What more can you add to your perseverance? It is godliness. The Apostle Peter was very strategic in choosing his words because they are so much on point. Did you know that even though some believers have self-control and perseverance, they lack godliness? I’m not talking about godliness regarding personal living but piety towards God. Yes, God called them, but some can’t withstand the pressure to step ahead of God’s timing. So, they cut corners and use illicit means to do things they say “God told them to do.”
I’ve seen ministries use cracked softwares to do God’s work because they don’t have money to pay for them, which is cyber theft. I’ve also seen ministers dupe people for money on things they never did. With all these bad things going on, God is watching and will reward each man according to his work. Never put your reverence for God aside in fulfilling any Word He has said about your life.
Now, to verse 7, the last scripture in this article.
Verse 7
“to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” – 2 Peter 1:7 (NKJV)
To godliness, brotherly kindness
After adding godliness to perseverance, the Bible says add brotherly kindness to your godliness. So, it is right before God to live right before Him, but not at the expense of expressing kindness to your fellow brother, especially those in the faith. Galatians 6:10 (NKJV) says,
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Dear Christian, I understand that there are hurts in the body of Christ. You may have been hurt so much that expressing kindness to others has been a thing of the past. But I will tell you to look to God in everything you do because men will fail you.
To brotherly kindness, love
Yes, love is the greatest. And because of that, love holds everything in Christ together. The greatest sign of spiritual maturity in a Christian’s life is love. Walk in love towards all manner of people as the Spirit enables you.
You are a blessing!
