We are several articles into our series on 2 Peter 1:1-11: Adding to Our Faith.
Recent Articles in this Series:
What About Faith | Grace and Peace | Add Virtue | Add Knowledge | Add Self-Control | Add Perseverance
In our last article, we reached the midpoint of Peter's progressive list of Christian qualities. We are now considering how we add godliness to our faith following perseverance.
"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)
From Mimicking to Owning Character
For me, this is one of the most interesting spots on the list. Unlike virtue, which we learned means moral excellence, godliness means piety and is sometimes translated from the Greek word eusebeia as holiness.
This is significant because to be holy is to be "set apart." We are reaching a point as we grow through this list where we are no longer merely mimicking the godly behavior of others or learning what it is to be godly — now we are beginning to own a character that looks like God. We are finding ourselves in agreement with Him.
Consider the warning in Matthew 7:21-23:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name…?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
The believer described here is interested in the benefits of Christ but has not added godliness. They claim a relationship with the Lord, but they do not actually know Him, nor are they known by Him in a relational sense, because they are not in agreement with His will.
Godliness as a Spiritual By-Product
I submit to you that as we grow through this instructive list — adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, and perseverance — godliness becomes, in many ways, a natural by-product. Yet, the instruction is still to add it diligently.
We draw on all the qualities that have become part of our lives to be more like God. Christianity begins to "look natural" on us. People begin to see that we are fundamentally different because our conduct is rooted in our devotion to Him. As Peter writes in 2 Peter 3:11-12:
"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…"
Here we see "holy conduct" and "godliness" coupled together. The Greek word translated "holy" means consecrated or sanctified — completely set apart for God's use.
A Peculiar and Special People
As we grow in the teaching and admonition of the Word, our difference from the world becomes more evident to ourselves and to those around us. Peter describes this beautifully in 1 Peter 2:9-10:
"You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…"
Where the NKJV says "His own special people," the KJV says we are a "peculiar people." I love that phrase. We are "peculiar" because our priorities, our reactions, and our very character are no longer shaped by the world, but by our Father.
Moving Toward Love
As we look forward to the next qualities on this list, we might consider Jesus' words in John 13:35: "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
This kind of identifying love is only truly possible if we have become godly individuals and a godly people. When we are in agreement with God, we begin to love what He loves and value whom He values.
Diligently, we continue building: Faith. Virtue. Knowledge. Self-Control. Perseverance. Godliness.
One layer at a time. Next — Brotherly Kindness.