Add To Your Faith Series: Virtue - Legalism or Desire for Godliness?
By: Jack Jackson

How shall the new believer keep in memory what has been preached to them, so that they believe not in vain (1 Cor. 15:2)? How shall they hold fast their profession of faith without wavering, not becoming entangled in continual willful sin which can have its end in no more sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:23-29)? How shall they avoid error which brings spiritual death (James 1:12-16)? How shall they avoid shipwrecking their faith (1 Timothy 1:19-20)? How shall they avoid damnation for casting off their first faith, or turning aside after Satan (1 Tim 5:11-15)? Or lastly, how shall they avoid being broken off for unbelief (Romans 11:17-23)? The answer and solution is given to us by the Lord through Peter in 2 Peter 1: 3-10: Add To Your Faith! This series will examine this passage in light of the ones listed above. It will examine what we are to add to our faith; what these terms mean; and what the promises are for those who do; and consequences are for those who don't heed God's word.

2 Peter 1:3-10:

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Initially, it should be noted that we are not only called to glory, but virtue. The term virtue will be discussed in detail for a moment. Note that we "might be partakers" of this divine nature, having escaped (that is for those who have escaped) the corruption of this world through lust (the desire for evil). We are then told to "give all diligence" to add to our faith, starting with virtue, and followed by knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (God's Love).

God's word promises that "if" these things be in you, and "abound' you will never be barren nor unfruitful. This is great news since we know that the only branches that get cast into the fire are unfruitful ones (John 15:1-7). This is the reason why we always need to abide in Christ. Those who lack these things (virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity) can forget they were ever purged of their past sins, and become subject to the verses that opened this writing. Because of this fact, and clear warnings in scripture, Peter is directed by God to make an amazing plea, and offer an amazing promise to all who will heed God's Word: give all diligence to make your calling and election sure; for "if" you do these things (add to your faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity) ye shall never fall. Note the condition "if you do these things". Note what God's word says you must add to your faith. Note the promise is only to those who give all diligence to the task. Note the promise is to never fall. But what does it mean to never fall?

To examine this more clearly, we need to check the Greek definition of the word used there as "fall" (Strong's 4417). The word fall appear 39 times in the NT in the King James version, but in this particular verse the word (ptaio, pronounced "ptah'-yo") is used (2 Peter 2:10). The word is defined in the Strong's Concise Dictionary (from 1890) as fall, fail (of salvation). This definition is critical to understand because it shows that Peter wasn't just trying to keep believers from skinning their knees if they were to fall; but was describing a type of fall which was a failing of salvation, which would result in again being eternally lost. This definition, clearly understood to mean a fail of salvation, makes sense of why the verses mentioned in the first paragraph ( 1 Cor 15:2; Hebrews 10:23-29; James 1:12-16; 1 Tim 1:19-20, 5:11-15; and Romans 11:17-23 among many others) are in fact saying the same thing. They are in His word, so we should heed them and teach them. We should be on guard, and give all diligence to our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ or suffer eternal consequences as others had and are falling prey to.

Do you think adding to your faith is important, based on God's Word? Are you ready to begin giving all diligence to adding to it? Please begin by making that known to God in prayer.

Now let's begin with what is meant by "VIRTUE". Virtue (Strongs 703) is the Greek word arête pronounced "ar-et'-ay". In the NT the word translated virtue, when describing Jesus' virtue in Mathew 5:30 and Luke 6:19 and 8:46 is a different word (1411) or dunamis or mighty power of God. Virtue (Strongs #703), is defined as relating to valor, excellence, praise, or virtue. It is an outward evidence of something inside a person, which can be clearly seen as a quality of character. The Noah Webster dictionary from 1828 describes the word in this way:

Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law. In this sense, virtue may be, and in many instances must be, distinguished from religion. The practice of moral duties merely from motives of convenience, or from compulsion, or from regard to reputation, is virtue, as distinct from religion. The practice of moral duties from sincere love to God and his laws is virtue and religion. In the sense it is true, "That virtue only makes our bliss below. Pope" and "Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth. Dwight"

Virtue therefore; in a Biblical sense is the desire for godliness, out of a love and gratitude to God. Just as a young boy has little desire for baths, the unrepentant sinner has little desire for godliness and therefore if they act with any degree of mannerisms that appear virtuous, it is for ungodly reasons (convenience, compulsion, or regard for reputation); not to please God, and therefore is sin in the eyes of God. If you are a believer, examine yourself (2 Cor. 13:5-6) and your faith, whether you are a reprobate. Do you have "VIRTUE"? Did you ever have it? Are you desirous to now give all diligence to add virtue to your faith? This is part of your obedience to the gospel of God's word.

1 Peter 1:17-19

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not (ppt - continue to not obey) the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer (ppt - continue to suffer) according to the will of God commit (pim - continue to keep committing) the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Galatians 6:7-9

7 Be not (pim - continue to not be) deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth (psa - continues to sow), that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth (ppt - continues to sow) to his flesh shall reap corruption; but he that soweth (ppt - continues to sow) to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us (ppt - let us continue to) not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not (ppt - continue to not faint).

Do you notice the theme of well doing? Is this not godly virtue? How important is it to God that we add virtue and then remain in it as a lifestyle of love and obedience to Him? From God's own words it is required. Many might think this to be legalism. I believe those who might be feeling that way only show themselves that they lack true virtue, or a desire for holiness and godliness in their life, based on their love towards God. Sadly the "legalism card" is thrown out at many who are actually just displaying true virtue and therefore are attacked for living godly. Should those with the desire to give all diligence to add virtue expect any other reaction from others who aren't?

Paul taught Timothy to expect it:

2 Timothy 3:12

12 Yea, and all that will (ppt - will continue to) live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Remember that 1 Peter 4:19 from above says this suffering, or persecution for your real faith is according to the will of God, so rejoice when you suffer for the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Now give all diligence to add virtue to your faith, and get ready to next add "KNOWLEDGE".

God bless you as you do!