What We’re Supposed to Add to Our Faith

In 2 Peter 1:3–4, Peter tells us that God has already given us everything we need to live the life He calls us to. He didn’t leave us lacking. He gave us His promises, His power, and His presence so we could escape the corruption of this world and become more like Him.

Peter says that because God has done His part, we must not stand still. We are supposed to grow.

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.”
 2 Peter 1:5–7

Here is what Peter means.

Faith is where it begins. You cannot add anything until you believe Christ and trust Him. But faith is not the finish line. It is the starting point.

Moral excellence means living in a way that honors the God who saved you. It means choosing what is right because He is right. It is a life that refuses the old ways of sin.

Knowledge means knowing God more clearly. Not guesses. Not feelings. The knowledge that comes from His Word, His truth, and His voice. A Christian who will not learn will not grow.

Self-control means putting the brakes on your flesh. It means saying no when your temper, your appetite, or your desires try to take over. A believer who cannot control himself will never become who God called him to be.

Perseverance means you keep going when everything in you wants to quit. It means standing firm when life punches you in the mouth. It means holding on to Christ when the pressure is heavy. God uses perseverance to make a believer steady.

Godliness means living with God in view at all times. It is a heart that wants to please Him and walk close to Him. Not perfect. Not flawless. But real.

Brotherly kindness means treating other believers like family. It means forgiveness. Patience. Humility. It means remembering that God saved them the same way He saved you.

Love is the highest of them all. Love moves you beyond yourself. Love makes you serve, give, forgive, sacrifice, and reach the lost. Without love, everything else collapses.

Peter lays these out in order on purpose. One leads to the next. None stand alone. God gives us everything we need, but He does not grow us against our will. We must add these things. We must pursue them.

If your faith feels weak, God has given you a path to strengthen it. If your walk feels shallow, God has already provided the next step. If you feel stuck, this passage tells you how to move forward.

Faith is the beginning. Love is the goal. Everything in between is growth.

And God has already given you everything you need to get there.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

I am an internationally published author. I have written two books: Embracing God’s Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.

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“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)