For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3, 5–8 NIV

Have you ever struggled with being effective in your exercise? It’s so easy for me to skip going to the gym or put off until later the walk until the sun sinks too low. I get distracted from what I know I need to do to stay healthy and substitute other activities instead of taking care of my health. Unfortunately, that results in too much weight, and I become more prone to injury. After my back started giving me trouble again, I have started stretching every morning, or at least most mornings. Exercise improves the strength in my back, and when I skip it, my back complains. When I supplement my health with exercise, I am stronger.

In a similar way, when we supplement our faith, it becomes stronger. Peter tells us how to be productive in our faith in 2 Peter 1:3, 5–8, above.

I want to become more effective in my Christian walk. I desire to be fruitful for God and to know Him better. I imagine you do as well.

God gives us everything we need so we can participate in His divine nature. He makes it possible for us to escape the corruption of evil desires (2 Peter 1:4). The Heavenly Father gave us His Son Jesus Christ as our example of living a sinless life.

It is a struggle to to forsake our sin nature and live godly lives. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with doing what he did not want to do and not doing what he wanted to do, which lead him to proclaim that his deliverance was through Jesus Christ (Romans 7:15-25) While we aren’t sinless, we certainly can become more and more like Jesus as we yield to Him.

QUALITIES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR WALK WITH GOD:

I noticed in Peter’s list that the adding to faith was listed as building on each other. It took me a little bit to realize that they are building blocks. Let’s take a look at them using the New International Version.

…add to your faith goodness. We need faith in Jesus to grow in virtue. As we seek the Lord’s guidance, He helps us to grow in goodness. He teaches us to make godly choices.

...and to goodness, knowledge… As we become more virtuous and grow in goodness, we learn because we are in God’s Word and listening to what He wants us to do.

…and to knowledge, self-control. Knowing what God wants us to do helps us have self-control as we obey Him.

…and to self-control, perseverance. When I have self-control over my eating and exercise, it is easier for me to continue doing the right thing for my health. Likewise, when we have self-control in our spiritual walk, we persevere in following God and in obedience to Him.

… and to perseverance, godliness. When we persevere in following Jesus, we become more like Him!

…and to godliness mutual affection. The New King James Version uses brotherly kindness in place of mutual affection. If to godliness we add brotherly kindness and mutual affection, our actions and speech should reflect that with kindness and consideration for others. I know my relationships with others is better when I reflect Jesus instead of seeking my own way.

…and to mutual affection, love. Godly love impacts others for Christ.

Let’s be diligent to add these qualities to our faith and to grow in them. It is the Holy Spirit within us that helps us become more like Jesus, effective and fruitful. It is worth the effort!

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to grow in my faith. Please help me to make every diligent effort to follow You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Exercise photo by Ketut Subivanto on Pexels.com