Many Christians speak of their salvation in the term of a profession of faith, yet Peter describes a progression of faith.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Peter 1:5-7
Imagine this list as driving directions. You have a starting point, a series of instructions, and a final destination: “Start here, turn left at Oak Street, go five miles, turn left at the flashing light, get onto the interstate and head north, take the first exit, and it’s on the corner.”
If you miss any of those steps, you will not be able to get to the next place on the list. If you don’t turn left at the flashing light, you’ll never find the interstate. If you don’t get off at the first exit, you’ll never see your destination on the corner. That makes it obvious how important it is to follow the progression.
That’s why Peter says “make every to supplement your faith.” In other words, he’s telling us, “Make sure you don’t miss any of the items on the list as your faith progresses and matures.”
So, let’s break down our progression of faith.
For this very reason…because we are partakers of the divine nature (v. 3).
…make every effort… be determined
…to supplement… to add lavishly
…your faith – to believe that God can only save you through Jesus Christ
…with virtue– moral excellence to do what is right
…and virtue with knowledge – moral discernment to know what is right
…and knowledge with self-control – the ability to take a grip of one self
…and self-control with steadfastness – to do right under pressure
…and steadfastness with godliness – to worship God well
…and godliness with brotherly affection – love for brothers like you
…and brotherly affection with love – God-like for people not like you
Work on your progression of faith this week.