Building Faith

2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
 
WHEN you participate in God’s divine nature (see January 22 lesson.), you have the means to gain more of God’s character, defined in part with Peter’s list here. This is similar to Paul’s fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
   We all know it is not easy to break away from our human nature. That’s why it requires every effort to build on your faith. You must purposefully and regularly add to your faith with God’s means of grace such as Bible study, serving, worshiping and praying, for example. This is a building process that requires time and correct use of these seven spiritual building blocks Peter lists.
   When you add goodness you build moral excellence into your life. You reject the sins of your past. To help you separate right from wrong, you then add knowledge. This is the wisdom and discernment that guides you to subtract the bad from your life and add the good.
   Build on goodness and knowledge with self-control. You resist temptation. Self-control requires we honestly assess our habits and thoughts to determine if we are adding to our faith. And true self-control requires we enlist God’s help. We cannot live controlled life without the Spirit’s guidance.
   Perseverance in our faith walk is vital, too, isn’t it? How can we strive for years to live for Jesus and then give it up? Some become discouraged that their faith isn’t as strong as they’d like. Perhaps certain sins still haunt us and try to detract us into a weaker faith. Persevere in the Lord’s care and power. Enlist friends to pray with you and for you. Have a good Jesus-like friend who will spur you on. Your faith life is far too valuable to discard.
   Godliness refers to an awareness of God in your lifestyle. Your life is under Jesus’ power and should be an example of Jesus. Brotherly kindness is the good and right relationship you have with all in the church. You care for others as you want them to care for you.  
   And then comes love. None of this is possible if you do not love God and love others with active participation in the divine nature.
   It makes sense, doesn’t it? To possess, to own these qualities in increasing measure you will be more effective and productive as a kingdom citizen. Knowing about Jesus and knowing what Jesus knows, you will have knowledge and self-control to persevere to live a godly life. That’s why Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)