October 29

"Adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue." 2 Peter 1:5

Peter is telling us here that a continual "adding" should characterize every Christian. We should cultivate a disposition which never ceases to explore fresh territory in the realm of divine things. Although Peter is an old man when he writes this, divine energy pulsates in him and is communicated to his readers.

He urges us that as soon as we have possessed one Christian virtue, we should seek to supplement it with another; and having acquired that, we should heap on yet more. Diligence, faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly love, divine love: Peter's list is long and summarized by his key word, "abundance." Press on and on, he says, never resting content with your present attainment, never ceasing from this holy task of adding, until the goal of God's purpose for you is reached.