My Journey Journal

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
and virtue with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control,
and self-control with steadfastness,
and steadfastness with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with love.

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.
2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV

If you wonder “For what very reason?” join the club.

In verse 3 Peter tells us

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness ….
2 Peter 1:3 ESV

It is for that very reason that we’re to add to our faith.  Jesus has “… granted us all things pertain[ing] to life and godliness ….”

Knowing that we’ve been given all the things we need related to living in a manner that’s consistent with our holy God, we should strive to find these qualities in our lives in greater abundance.

I found encouragement in this passage after reading a Tweet from @averagsecguy the other day.

After reading Paul for a while, it is nice to read Peter. His writing style is much more down to earth and easier to understand.

— Stephen Haywood (@averagesecguy) August 27, 2014

The items Peter urges followers of Jesus to have in their lives in increasing measure:

1. Faith
2. Virtue
3. Knowledge
4. Self-control
5. Steadfastness
6. Godliness
7. Brotherly affection
8. Love