Adding Virtue to Our Faith

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue…” II Peter 1:5a

“Wait. Faith isn’t enough?” I wondered how that could be as I re-read the verse in II Peter. Isn’t our faith what we base our whole Christian life on? Isn’t it what our hopes are built on? I questioned how we can “live by faith” (as it teaches in Romans 1:17) if faith isn’t enough. Placing faith in God, ourselves or others is hard on its own. Why is adding virtue necessary?

Because, faith is only the foundation of our Christianity; it sets us on our course. It is the first step in our becoming followers of Jesus and how we accept him as God’s gift of salvation. (John 3:16) It’s how we show God we believe His Word and accept His will and way.

          “Having faith” is like sitting an empty vase on the table with hopes of seeing it filled with a beautiful bouquet. “Adding to our faith” is like adding roses to the vase one stem at a time.

Give All Diligence

Our faith is never as frail as when we are at our weakest. When we lose sight of what we believe, our faith falters. When I feel sick, spiritually depleted, stressed, depressed, distracted or sidetracked, I lose my will to fight and keep going. My energy and motivation take a nose dive and my hope dwindles. At those times, I wonder why my faith seems to fail.

Until I really considered that Scripture passage in II Peter, I felt comfortable with my faith. Well, except for when I faced strife, struggles and sorrow. Although I’ve claimed to be a woman of faith, I’ve often lived a frail, “weak every other day” lifestyle.

What I’m learning is that faith is not what gives me strength. It shows what I believe and who I’m putting my trust in. God didn’t just say to have faith to believe. He said to “diligently” add “virtue” to that faith.

Add Virtue

Virtue is more than I thought it was. It’s not soft, timid or weak. It’s actually, as described in the Greek, a masculine valor and excellence. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary describes virtue as “…strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness: personal bravery.” Wow! I want that kind of faith—faith that has the enduring strength to overcome and thrive. Floundering in fear and frailty while trying to survive is not how a virtuous woman of faith lives.

Renew Your Strength

Strength doesn’t come easy or on its own. We have to develop it and maintain it. Our faith in God gives us a different strength than our faith in others. It’s an inner strength that only He provides. (Isaiah 40:31) Our Godly faith coupled with virtue gives us strength to live with attributes like:

If we want to be true women of God, who stand strong even in the face of adversities and live valuable lives, we must give diligence to God’s instruction. Let’s put our vases out and start filling them.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10

Bring It Home

Does your faith feel strong today or does it need some virtue?

Praying for you as we grow together,

Smiles, BRC