The basis of our Christian growth according to Peter is our faith (2 Peter 1:5). Faith is essential to our walk with Christ – for without faith, we have no real conviction or reason to live for Him. As Christians, we must give our best effort to build upon our faith. Building upon our faith, however, requires us to have an understanding of our faith.
According to Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (NASB). Faith is not a wish, nor is faith a doubt. Faith is true belief. It is true belief that can only be produced by the truth of God’s word (Rom. 10:17; Jn. 8:24; Jn. 17:17). In the case of 2 Peter 1, this true belief is in the all-sufficiency of God’s word for the knowledge of all pertaining “to life and godliness” through Jesus Christ, as well as the “exceedingly great and precious promises” concerning eternal life through Him (2 Pet. 1:3-4, NKJV). If we truly believe that we can find all the necessary knowledge for this life and for our salvation in Christ Jesus, it only makes sense that we will then wish to build upon this faith.
A desire to build upon our faith is a sign of a true, living faith. The Holy Spirit reveals to us through the writing of James that “faith without works is dead” (Jas. 2:20). Even in Hebrews 11, the Hebrews writer reveals the connection between one’s firm conviction and his actions. Peter reiterates this fact for us in 2 Peter 1. If we have this “like precious faith” (2 Pet. 1:1), we will do all that we can to grow and build on our faith.
If we are unwilling to give “all diligence” to add to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5), perhaps this is an indicator of the state of our faith. Peter encourages the brethren in 2 Peter to grow. Our faith cannot be merely in knowledge, but our faith must be displayed in the way we live our lives. Faith is more than an understanding – it is our way of living. For if we truly have faith, we will give “all diligence to add to our 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” (2 Pet. 1:5-7). When we are growing and building on our faith, it will be seen in our lives.
By Preston McElyea