The Additives of Faith 2nd Peter 1:3-9

2nd Peter 1:3-9 3 As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Add Vs. 5 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add… add—literally, "minister additionally, "

Faith Vs. 5 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…” Faith is trusting Jesus Christ to do for you what you cannot do for yourself Romans 3:28 “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Romans 1:17 “The just shall live by faith” All of the other virtues flow from faith

Virtue Vs. 5 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue” NAS95: “moral excellence” Weymouth: “noble character”

Why Faith Needs Virtue James 2:26 “faith without works is dead”

Knowledge Vs. 5 “…add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge” Insight, understanding As in, “Let’s ask Bill, he’ll know what to do”

Why Virtue Needs Knowledge Morality without a reason is empty tradition Morality without a reason cannot be transmitted to the next generation. 2nd Timothy 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

Self-Control Vs. 6 “to knowledge self-control” One holding himself in One who masters his desires and passions rather than letting them master him Same word in 1st Corinthians 9:25 (NIV) “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.”

Why Knowledge Needs Self-Control Insight can be misused Insight is power… without self-control we will abuse it

Perseverance Vs. 6 “to self-control perseverance” Literally, “To remain under” Steadfastness (patience, endurance),

Why Self-Control Needs Perseverance Because temptation can wear us down Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Godliness Vs. 6 “to perseverance godliness” Literally, “good worship” Living all of my life before God and in deference to God Practicing the presence of God

Why Perseverance Needs Godliness Revelation 2:2-4 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil… and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” It is possible to persevere in doctrine and morals and yet forget why we do so.

Brotherly Kindness Vs. 7 “to godliness brotherly kindness” Philadelphia Love of brothers and sisters 1st John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.”

Why Godliness Needs Brotherly Kindness To keep us from living in isolation with our heads in the clouds Brotherly love provides us an opportunity to demonstrate our love to God in concrete ways Matthew 25:40 “…Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

Love Vs 7 “and to brotherly kindness love” Love: meeting your needs at my expense This kind of love flows from the nature of the one loving rather than from the lovability of the one being loved.

Why Brotherly Kindness Needs Love If we love only those in the family, then our love is of a self-centered nature. Luke 6:33, NIV “And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that.”