Faith, Virtue, Knowledge

Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.   –  2 Peter 1:5 

Diligence is a quality that the apostle Peter discusses regularly in his epistles. He urged that believers be diligent in their calling (2 Peter 1:10) and be diligent in avoiding sin (2 Peter 3:14). What does that mean? Diligence means careful and persistent work or effort. It is a challenge, and it is deliberate. As you “make every effort” the way today’s verse says, you endeavor to think, understand, believe, and act.  

God is eager that all come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ—but that is not a place to stop. To say one believes and then go on living the same lifestyle is not exercising the faith that it takes to believe. True faith is reflected as you add to your faith right living, virtuous, and righteous, bearing the fruits of the Spirit in your life.

The Lord also desires you to have awareness of the things He has done in the past, and the things He will do in the future. Why? It gives you hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). You begin with faith, you live what you know, then you gain more knowledge of God and His plans for you, live it also; and your faith will increase, along with a righteous lifestyle and your knowledge of the things of God will continue to expand.  

“Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 ). As you diligently seek the Lord today, pray for those in government who think they have sufficient knowledge to come to the understanding that, until they know God, they really know little.

Today’s Verse:  2 Peter 1:5 

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 2 Peter 1:3-11

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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