The apostle Peter reviews the basic characteristics of a Christ-follower.
II Peter 1:5-6 . . . make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; (NIV)
The apostle Peter is writing to remind a group of Christians of a few things they had forgotten — important things. It reminds me of the great NFL coach Vince Lombardi, who, when frustrated with the way his team was playing, said “we’ve got to get back to the fundamentals”. So, he gathered his players together and said, “This is a football!” Peter says, let’s begin with your faith, the place where the change for the better began. As a Christ-follower, you’ve been forgiven of sins, freed from their power to enslave and you have all the heavenly power you need to do what Christ wants you to do. Now what??
Now Peter says, move on and add to your faith . . . virtue. Virtue is goodness, but it’s more than that . . . it’s excellence. Be the best man or the best woman of God you can be — by being like Christ Himself! Next add to your goodness . . . knowledge. Not just knowledge for knowledge sake but applied knowledge. Knowledge that changes the way you live! Finally, add to your knowledge . . . self-control. It means to control your desires and emotions, instead of being controlled by them.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™