Add to Your Faith – Virtue

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” 2 Peter 1:5–7

Especially for the new Christian, this is one of the most important passages in the New Testament. It is not addressed to the person who is seeking how to be saved, but to the Christian who desires to grow — who longs to become stronger and draw nearer to his Sovereign Lord.

Faith is certainly the foundation of all that pertains to our Christian life. As we are reminded in Hebrews 11:6, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Peter opens his second epistle by addressing those “who have obtained like precious faith” and assures us that God’s divine power “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:1–3).

It is because of this gracious provision that Peter begins, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…” (2 Peter 1:5). God has supplied what we need. Now we are called to respond with diligence.

Peter’s list is progressive — qualities building one upon another toward a more complete life in Christ. The first quality is virtue.

What is virtue?

From the Greek, it carries the idea of moral goodness or moral excellence. It speaks of a life that reflects the character of God.

It is fitting that Peter begins here. The Christian life is new. It reflects God and our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Paul reminds us in Romans 6:4 that we were buried with Christ through baptism into death so that, just as He was raised, “even so we also should walk in newness of life.” That newness must be visible.

We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6). Instead, we are called to pursue moral excellence. This begins with the mind. In Philippians 4:8, Paul instructs us to set our thoughts on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Our conduct follows our thinking. As Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Yet virtue is not confined to thought alone. It must be lived. We learn virtue by reading God’s Word, by observing those who walk faithfully, and by following their example. Paul says in Philippians 3:17, “Brethren, join in following my example.” Likewise, in Hebrews 6:11–12, we are urged to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

When we look at those who walk closely with Christ, we expect to see what Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities do not appear automatically the moment we rise from the watery grave of baptism. The slate is wiped clean, yes — but growth must follow.

We must be careful not to allow the world’s ways to rush back in. Instead, we diligently add virtue — moral excellence — to our lives.

Thankfully, we are not alone in this pursuit. Even the apostle Paul confessed in Philippians 3:12 that he had not already attained or been made perfect, but pressed on. Growth is ongoing. Maturity is a continual pursuit.

In Philippians 1:27, Paul encourages us to let our conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ and to strive together in unity. As some are learning to practice virtue for the first time, others are striving to maintain it while growing in additional qualities.

The Christian life can feel daunting when we assume we must instantly be virtuous or fully mature simply because we now wear the name of Christ. But Christianity does not mirror the world’s demand for instant gratification. The foundation of faith is deepened and strengthened as we grow in virtue — and grow we must.

Those who are more mature must exercise patience with those who are younger or weaker in the faith. Strength is often revealed through longsuffering and gentleness. Maturity is not merely a matter of time served, but of growth pursued.

We must examine ourselves soberly, as Paul exhorts in Romans 12:3, not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. In 1 Corinthians 10:12, we are warned, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Have we been in Christ for years — even decades — and yet do not see in ourselves the virtue that should accompany such time? The writer of Hebrews challenges believers in Hebrews 5:12 for still needing milk when they ought to be teachers.

There is no shame in recognizing where we are. The shame would be in refusing to grow.

James reminds us in James 2:18–20 that faith without works is dead. It is not enough to claim faith. Faith is defined by what we do with it.

So we must ask ourselves: What are we doing with our faith? Have we been striving to add virtue?

If not, let us begin today.

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Have you read the previous articles in this series?
What About Faith? | Grace and Peace | But Also For This Very Reason