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Maturing as Believers - 7

 

We are looking at what it means to grow spiritually as a believer. We looked at the foundation of the Christian life that must be faith in Jesus Christ. Then we must add virtue or courage as the word is defined, and then knowledge of God. Then we learned temperance or self-control, patience, and godliness. Now what is next that we learn in II Peter chapter 1.

The next virtue we learn about in II Peter chapter one is brotherly kindness.

2 Peter 1:5 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 

2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 

2 Peter 1:7 - And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 

We are to love other believers. In fact we are instructed in 1 John 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 

Here we are given a test, what is the evidence of being “Born Again,” of being saved? Here the Apostle John tells us we know because we love the brethren. 

We are to add this virtue, love of the brethren, to our faith. We are to give all diligence to do this. The Greek word for diligence there is pronounced“spoo-day,” or speed. We are to hastily add this virtue to our growth as a Christian.