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2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “For this 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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (NIV)
This is an interesting progression. Our relationship with God begins with faith and should ultimately produce love. But did you notice all the things in between? Right after faith, we are to add goodness. This is the word we have focused on this week. It can be translated excellent, excellencies, virtue or moral excellence.
Let’s change the translation a bit to say “Make every effort to add to your faith moral excellence.”
Wow! What does that mean? What is moral excellence? What is it like to have excellent morals? Well, we can begin to understand by looking at someone who has bad morals. We all know someone like that, right?! Such people do whatever they want. They are selfish, unconcerned about others.
If we think about good morals, we refer to someone who follows a code of right and wrong. Good morals means they usually do the right thing. Therefore, moral excellence goes beyond actions that conform to a code. It refers to the heart that is full of goodness, resulting in right action.
As you focus on the goodness of God, make every effort to add his goodness to your faith.
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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.