Faith with Virtue

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
2 Peter 1:5–9
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Faith with Virtue
Salvation comes through the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing. The Lord sees fit to send his Word by the lips of his servants. Your ears are the route the Holy Spirit takes to call you by the Gospel, enlighten you with the gifts of heaven, and to sanctify you in the true faith. This faith saves you. Now Peter tells you to supplement your faith. Drink from the well of righteousness: read your Bible, attend worship and Bible class, supplement your prayer with the Word of Scripture. But note well that the things Peter bids you supplement your faith with are things that the Holy Spirit is bringing, planting, and nourishing. The Spirit is building you up as the people of God. The Spirit is forging you together as a holy people. The Spirit doesn’t just give you enough, he brings all of Jesus’ gifts to you and lets the cup overflow. In your worry and sorrow, dwell on the Word that has delivered you and saved you. Cast your burdens on the Lord and dive into his gifts. The love of the cross is yours in Christ Jesus.