After a longer than anticipated delay (please accept my apologies!), let's continue our study of 2 Peter 1:3-8 by looking at the beginning of verse 5:
"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith…”
What is faith? The Greek word used here, pistes, refers to belief. Believing God - knowing that God exists and is Creator and Ruler of all, and the provider of eternal life through Christ, and believing Christ - knowing that Jesus is the Messiah, the ONE through Whom we obtain eternal salvation! Our salvation is a gift, through faith - this believing God (see Ephesians 2:8). (Note, not believing IN God, but believing God….)
It bears repeating, our salvation is a gift, through faith. We cannot earn it through any effort. And while our spiritual growth requires our effort, we do not cause our growth, no matter how many good things we do. God causes our growth as we obey the Holy Spirit’s voice. Promptly (delayed obedience equals disobedience).
This passage is telling us to “make every effort to supplement [our] faith.” To, earnestly and diligently, strive to supplement, or enhance, our faith with additional qualities. This could be approached much like physical exercise. As we exercise physical muscles they grow stronger and we find it easier to do things that might have previously found difficult. In this same way, we are to exercise the “muscles” of these characteristics. Using these qualities in our daily lives, as we learn how to live out our faith, is a choice we make, and continue to make, as we go through each day.
Why should we put forth the effort? “For this very reason,” because of Who God is and because by His ability He has given us freedom and everything we need to live a victorious life!
Next time, we will look at the first characteristic Peter identifies - virtue. Until then, consider this - what is the difference between believing IN God, and BELIEVING God? Please feel free to share thoughts in the comments!
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