Click here to open the Video Devotional
2 Peter 1:5c
The apostle Peter tells us that we should add virtue to our walk of faith in Christ Jesus through which we have the precious promises of God. According to the Zondervan Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, the following is stated of virtue, “The word rather signifies the moral excellence distinctive of those who have been cleansed from their sins: it builds on faith and generates godliness and love.” This is fitting for this passage as Peter has already stated in 2 Peter 1:3a (NKJV), “as His [God’s] divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,…”
This is a command to be virtuous in our salvation through Christ Jesus.
We have already learned through our study of 2 Peter 1:3b2 that virtue is a quality of moral excellence which is not attainable in and of our sinful selves, but is a gift of God through the purity of His Son Jesus in our salvation in Him as we open our hearts and ask Jesus forgiveness for our sins and accept Him into our hearts through His Holy Spirit which He has promised to all who will believe in Him (John 14:15-18, 26). We must keep in mind that the qualities and characteristics that we gain from our salvation in Christ Jesus are not to flaunt as if we are better than others, but to use in service and submission to God through our gifts of salvation that displays humility; not arrogance.
Dear LORD,
Thank You for allowing us to be virtuous through our salvation in Christ Jesus, that our lives can obtain a moral excellence through the purity of our Savior Christ Jesus for all who put their faith in Him. But help us LORD, to portray this moral excellence of Christ Jesus by seeking His ways and teachings in our lives; to first love You God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35, 15:12). In Jesus name I pray, amen.