2 Peter 1:5 (NKJV) 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
Over the last few posts, we have looked at this section of scripture in detail. We have found that there many promises revealed in the first 11 verses of this chapter. A key to partaking of these promises according to Peter is that we add to our faith a list of character traits. We add them because by faith we have been given access to all we need to live life in this world and be an example of Godliness as we do. We are partakers of the divine nature. When we were born again that nature was placed within us.
In today’s verse we see a phrase that is very important. Peter says, “for this very reason.” The New Living Translation says it this way, “In view of all this.” Both tell us that what comes next is because of what he has already said. This is important because if we do not first accept the truths in the first 4 verses by faith, what we add will only be a matter of law. As I have said repeatedly, law is flesh trying to control flesh. It never works and always produces bondage. That is not what Peter is saying.
His point is simple. If you add these things to what you know by faith about salvation in Christ, you will release a power in your life that will bring consistency and enable you to overcome in any circumstance. This is vital in today’s world both for our personal victory and for those to whom we have been sent.
What are we to add to faith? Peter begins by telling us to add virtue to our faith. I am a great believer in the principles of faith. I believe the only way to receive from God is by faith and faith based on his Word (Romans 10:17.) Nevertheless, I also believe it is important to heed the words of Peter. I must add virtue to my faith.
What exactly is virtue as Peter is using the word? The English definition of virtue is moral excellence. A virtue in an individual person would be a very high character trait. I believe this is part of what Peter is talking about. Many times, he exhorts the church to walk in purity of character (1 Peter 4.) The world is full of moral compromise. Morality is seen as flexible and relative. I believe we must not give in to that kind of thinking. Morality is defined by God in the Bible. The 10 commandments predated the law. They are a statement of God’s moral code and they have never been repealed.
If we are going to walk in the power of the divine nature that is ours by salvation, we must cultivate moral excellence. We must have no lying, cheating, sexual impurity or any such thing. Our lives, as much as possible, must be above reproach. The reason is simple. The divine nature is above reproach and when we lower our standards we are not flowing in that nature and we give sin and the devil a way in. Everyone makes mistakes, but we must be willing to deal with the cause and continue to do better.
The Greek word gives us more. It also carries the idea of excellence, but it does not limit it to moral excellence. It is excellence in every area. There are two words here that we need to understand in light of virtue. The words are “intrinsic” and “attributed.” Something that is intrinsic means something that is part of our nature. It refers to things that are “built in to” what we are. Excellence was imparted to us when we were born again. We can be excellent because he who is excellence lives within. God is not asking us to be excellent, morally or any other way, in our strength. We have been given the divine nature; therefore, we can walk in excellence.
The other word implies something else entirely. Things are attributed to us by others. It means there is evidence in our lives that shows we are excellent. Because of what people see, they attribute excellence to us. When they think of us, they think of excellence. They see excellence in our lifestyle. They come to expect excellence of us because that is their experience with us. Intrinsic excellence should lead to attributed excellence.
Another interesting shade of the meaning of the Greek word is manliness or valor. Today this is often not seen as excellence. Manliness is shown by how sensitive (and often how feminine) men are in their actions. That was not true in Bible days. A man was the protector of his family. He had to be brave enough to endure hardship to care for them. He had to be willing to defend them. Valor or bravery was necessary and a man who did not possess these characteristics could not be considered excellent.
This does not mean Peter is speaking only to men. It is just that virtue would have been understood in this context in his day. Nevertheless, women must also exhibit this kind of valor. Both must be brave enough to stand for what is right. They must have the courage to stand for the purity of the Bible. They must be willing to live in such a way as not to compromise the integrity of the Word of God nor of the God of the Word. This is difficult in a culture that rewards compromise and treats the commandments of God with indifference.
As I was praying about all of this, I asked myself how I could add virtue to faith. I believe the Lord showed me a key. Virtue is all that I have said above. Though it is a different word in the Greek, virtue is also translated as the power of God. I have a power in me that can help me walk in excellence. This includes moral excellence as well as excellence in my behavior toward others, in my relationships and in all that I put my hand to. How can I release that power into my living?
I believe that the way we do that is to cultivate a lifestyle that leads us away from sin and closer to God. I must make quality decisions that I am going to live by what the Word of God teaches before I am faced with the opportunity to compromise. I must exercise myself to virtue. I must make choices that lead me closer to God as opposed to away from him. I must decide that if I even think something will lead me into temptation, I will take another path.
In this sense, I believe what Peter calls virtue is this kind of lifestyle. I can make these choices because I have been given all things that pertain to life and Godliness. I can live this lifestyle because I partake of the divine nature through the great and precious promises of the Word of God. Part of this is to decide beforehand how I will react to the temptations I know will come to me in life.
For example, if I am confronted with an opportunity to take money without reporting it on my taxes, what am I going to do? If images that cause temptation are placed before me, am I going to turn away or continue to look. Am I going to listen to that dirty joke or am I going to walk away? Am I going to allow flattery to stir my pride toward sin, or am I going to actively give glory to God for all I have and all I am.? Am I going to decide before the temptation comes that I will be faithful to my spouse or am I going to entertain the reasons my spouse does not deserve me? You can put in any thing that fits your life. Virtue will lead you away from the evil and bring you closer to Godly behavior.
To walk in virtue by faith we must cultivate our relationship with the Lord. We must spend time in the Word of God. Not to fulfill a “quota” of verse reading but because in his Word he reveals himself. His Word is a living thing filled with his power. This power is released into our minds and hearts through our spirit. We must pray. Prayer is simply communication with God. If we do not communicate with him, how will we really know him. We must give Glory to God. Abraham stayed strong in faith throughout the trial of his faith in the promise by giving glory to God (Romans 4.) How do we do that? We praise him for what he has done and we wordship him for who he is.
If we add virtue to faith, we will be on our way to an abundant entrance in the Kingdom of God. We will be able to live here on earth in victory and we will never stumble.
Leave a Reply