But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. —2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV)
When we gave our lives to Jesus, one of the things freely given to us was a measure of faith. The Bible says, “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3, NKJV). This means that faith was birthed in us the very moment we received the Lord into our lives.
However, it is important to know that faith is not enough. There are many other qualities that must be added to our lives to help us live the glorious and excellent life God has called us to. These are virtue, knowledge (knowledge of God and the affairs of this world), self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
As simple as they may seem, these are major investments you must make in your life to become the man or woman God wants you to be. You must understand that faith, which was given to us at salvation, is needed to receive from God. However, the rest of the qualities mentioned above are needed to receive from people and relate effectively to them.
If you want to have excellent relationships and live a peaceful, prosperous life, you need these additional virtues. Virtue—which includes morality, dignity, and honesty—is vital for successful interactions with others in our day. Therefore, you must spend time improving these areas. They will crown your life with success, and everything you involve yourself in will prosper.
I encourage you to take the time to improve yourself in these areas. Pursue virtue and knowledge. Add self-control so that your anger, desires, appetites, and emotions remain in check. Improve in perseverance and brotherly kindness, and abound in love.
You are expected to improve on these because when you do, you will not stumble. The Bible records:
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. —2 Peter 1:8 (AMP)
Hallelujah!
Today’s Rhema
Investing in yourself is the key to living the glorious and victorious life God has called us to live!
Confession for the Day
I have been called to live a glorious and excellent life; therefore, I refuse to live a life of mediocrity. I am continually improving in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and abounding in love. As I do so, I prosper in all things and enjoy excellent relationships with God and people, in the name of Jesus. Amen!
