Add Virtue to Faith

Give all diligence to add virtue to knowledge 

[2 Peter 1:5]. This is not "adding" in an 

arithmetic sense, but in an organic sense.  

Virtue means "moral excellence" and is 

already present in faith, for it is through faith 

that all things are given to us in Christ. The 

tree is already in the acorn, but is "added" 

organically.

But morality is a demonstration of faith and 

authenticates it before the world. There can 

be no real moral excellence without faith, for 

whatsoever is not of faith is sin, but neither can 

faith exist alone as if life had no evidence. Virtue 

rests upon faith and authenticates it.

"Virtue" has the idea of being authentic, or genuine in a moral sense. 

 It means to be human in the sense of purpose. What were you and 

I created for? to wallow in uncleanness and filthiness? No, we were 

created as image bearers, male and female to bear the moral 

excellence [as creatures] of their Creator. 

The virtuous man is manly, for he was created to be strong as a 

prophet, priest and king under God.  The virtuous woman is womanly, 

feminine, for virtue is to be what you are created for.  It takes divine 

strength and faith to fulfill the purpose that God has for us, and it will 

not be achieved by diffident actions or lives lived in luxury and ease, 

indulging the appetites and lusts.

This moral excellence is expressed negatively in the "Thou shalt nots" 

of the Ten Commandments, so idolatry, blasphemy, desecration, 

rebellion, theft, murder, adultery, false witness must put away from the 

children of God. Expressed positively is means that we are to love 

the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor 

as ourselves.

Because faith is from God and unto God, faith will always direct the 

soul unto virtue and a restoration of the image of God in man, putting 

off the old and putting on the new. Without virtue faith is dead, not real, 

not from God, for God is the true and Living God and does not make 

fakes.

1Co 16:13 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, be manly, be strong."