"Christ always cleans the fish that He catches." Joe Kirby
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1: 5-11
The blood of our Savior has cleansed us from our sins. So do we stop there? No! Peter tells us that we should add to our faith. Peter lists these important additions: virtue, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and finally love. If we don't have these things then we have forgotten that we have been cleansed from our old sins. If we don't want to stumble, if we want to be fruitful, then with diligence, we must pursue these things.
We should see a steady progression in our Christian walk towards what 2 Corinthians 7:1 says is "perfecting holiness in the fear of God". We don't just come to Christ and say we're done. No, our walk with God should be one where we can see our virtue increasing.
What is virtue? It is not just a person of good moral character but someone who seeks to be the person God wants him to be in every situation. That will be the work of a lifetime. We can't accomplish this on our own. It will be God who will be working in us. In Philippians 4: 8 Paul lists virtues:
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
What is knowledge? In this case we aren't talking about worldly knowledge but knowledge of God and His word.
"Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11
What is self control? Do we do what we want to do or what Christ wants us to do? Are we impulsive? Do we speak or act before we think?
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." James 3: 9-10
What is perseverance? Perseverance means being persistent despite difficulties or delays. Do we give up easily? When things are hard do we lean on God or on ourselves?
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9
What is godliness? It is a devotion to God that is a call to action.
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," Titus 2: 11-13
What is kindness? Kindness is an attribute of God. On Earth Christians should display this tenderhearted forgiveness to others.
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4: 32
What is love? In the Bible love is sacrificial. It is a love that gives all and expects nothing in return.
"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." I John 3:18
Thanks be to God that He cleanses us from our sin through the blood of His son, Jesus. As a fish is cleaned and prepared to be food for us, my prayer is that God will contiue to clean and prepare me for the work that He would have me do and that I don't stumble!
In Jude 24-25 Jude prays this:
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."
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