It’s not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we give that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; not what we profess but what we possess that makes us a Christian.
And, only if you possess saving faith in Jesus Christ are you a Christian. But faith is only the beginning. Faith results in the new birth, and the new birth issues into a new life. To this saving faith, Peter instructs us to add seven essential building blocks to our life in Christ. We have seen that the first of these is virtue. Virtue is strength of mind, spirit and soul. It manifests itself in the Christian life in spiritual power and spiritual praise.
Next on the list in 2 Peter 1:5 is the basic building block of knowledge. Without faith, one cannot possess virtue; without virtue, one will never realize true knowledge. We are not talking about human knowledge or understanding. Of this kind of knowledge, Solomon said that he who has it increases in sorrow. Paul warned that human knowledge “puffed” up and said that it would eventually “vanish away.” (I Cor. 13:8)
Consider the NATURE of the knowledge that we should add to our faith:
- It is personal: “That I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” (Phil.3:10). Jesus: “This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent.” (John 17:3) Christianity is not a matter of academics—not just ascribing to a creed or confession—but a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
- It is priceless: “But what things were gain to me, those things I counted loss for Christ; yea, doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil. 3:7,8) House, degree, job, earnings: nothing in this life, even family, can compare to knowing Christ To know Him aright is life eternal.
- It is progressive: “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18) “As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby.” (I Pet.2:2) It takes time. Relationship building is always a process.
- It is perfecting: “For the perfecting of the saints…till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect (mature) man.” (Eph. 4:12) A growing knowledge of Jesus Christ will deepen your spiritual life, just as getting to more fully know some people will make you a better person.
Now consider the NECESSITY of the knowledge that we are to add to our faith:
- It is necessary for effectual work: “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13)
- It is necessary for an effectual witness: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)
- It is necessary for an effectual walk: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.” (Col. 1:19,20)
- It is necessary for an effectual word: “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness; filled with all knowledge, also able to admonish one another.” (Rom. 15:14)
- It is necessary for an effectual worship: “But I desired mercy and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)
The writer of the book of Hebrews was distressed that many to whom he wrote his epistle had been saved long enough to have been able to teach others; but they were, for the most part, still in need of being taught. (Heb. 5:11-14) Jesus expressed a similar concern when, to Phillip, He said, “Have I been so long time with you and yet thou hast not known me?” (John 14:9)
How long have you been a believer? Are you daily growing in your knowledge of Him? It cannot be done by osmosis. It requires a consistent time with Him and in His Word. Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge.
“That I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” (Phil.3:10)
YOU and GOD 