The apostle Peter promised that the adding of various attributes to our faith will preclude us being “barren [or] unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In fact, “you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8,10-11).
We might ask why are these attributes key? It is because they equip us to act and to be the type of people who please God. They direct us in the paths of righteousness! This is especially true in our interactions with others. Remember, the two great commandments are to love God and love your neighbor (cf. Matthew 22:37-40). If we keep the necessity of love for God and man at the forefront of our thinking, it is easy to see why Peter would call for these qualities to be present in our lives.
Let’s look at each attribute (listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7) to see the practical consequence of adding them to our faith.
VIRTUE: (moral excellence, purity). When an understanding of what is righteous is coupled with a tender heart, the Christian commits himself to virtuous living. Such virtue keeps him on the path of good works, causing him to treat others well. A virtuous man is faithful to his wife, honest in his dealings, and lawful in his actions. (Look at the example of Boaz, and his treatment of Ruth following the death of her husband. He redeemed her, and filling the custom, took her as his wife, cf. Ruth 4:1-12).
KNOWLEDGE: In context, this would be the product of a study of God’s word, to know His will. “I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:7). Man’s way is deceitful (cf. Proverbs 14:12). God’s way brings life, peace and righteousness.
SELF-CONTROL: (the mastering of desires and passions, especially sensual appetites). A man lacking control over his appetites wreaks havoc in his life. Things like promiscuity, drunkenness, gambling and brawling ruin reputations, friendships and marriages. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).
PERSEVERANCE: (steadfastness, constancy, endurance). This could be simply described as someone who does not “cut and run” when the going gets tough. It would have its application in faithfulness to God through persecution. It could also refer to a man whose wife and children can count on to be a rock of support and surety. Children especially need a father they can depend upon. Without that foundation their spiritual and social development is greatly compromised (cf. Ephesians 6:4).
GODLINESS: (reverence, respect, piety toward God). Of course, the primary application of this attribute has its impact upon a man’s interaction with God. It makes him submissive, deferential, and motivates him to please his Maker. Consider that a reverent and respectful demeanor comes from an acknowledgment of power and authority. God is not the only one who has authority over man. Paul wrote, “Let ever soul be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). A godly man will respect the policeman, the judge, the teacher, the elder, the parent, the boss, and any others who have authority. He understands the importance of authority, and the implicit obligation it places upon the one in submission. Such a sober demeanor will serve him both in his relationship to God and with society. The anarchy of our world (and the world in times past) is very much tied to the ungodliness of the majority that prevails in our time.
BROTHERLY KINDNESS: (brotherly love. In the NT it expresses the love that Christians cherish for each other). It is interesting that the translations equate kindness with affection. While it is true that affection often leads to kind action, there is a reason the lyrics to the old song, “You always hurt the one you love” ring true. Familiarity can often breed contempt. Those who should be closest to us (our Christian family) are sometimes the ones we mistreat. Diotrephes lacked brotherly kindness (cf. 3 John 9-10). Abraham, however, exhibited it in his dealings with his nephew Lot (cf. Genesis 13:8-9). “Please let there be no strife between you and me…for we are brethren.”
LOVE: (brotherly love, affection, good will, benevolence). It is not surprising that love is the last in the list. It is the primary motivation for everything that the mature Christian does. It is the fulfillment of the law and prophets! “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”… and … “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (cf. Matthew 22:37, 39). A man who has love as the pinnacle of his character will of course be virtuous, knowledgeable, steadfast, godly, and kind. His charitable affection will impact every interaction with his family, friends and brethren. His fellow man will be encouraged and helped by him because he always treats them as he himself would like to be treated (cf. Luke 6:31). “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45).
It is not surprising that a Christian who adds these attributes to his faith will gain an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord. It is because he has become and behaves as the person God wants him to be.
