You don’t become a spiritual giant overnight, because it doesn’t just happen like magic. In fact, there must be deliberate energy poured into achieving moral distinction, or ‘virtue’. For this reason Christians cannot hide behind others as we seek to mature and grow up as believers. We must take personal accountability for our spiritual growth.
Conrad Mbewe continues his series in 2 Peter 1 Christian, Grow Up! The focus now is on a string of imperatives for spiritual growth that Peter delivers to all Christians. Of course the first step is to have faith. But on this foundation we must build with quality materials in order to mature as Christians. Today we look at how Peter commands us to add virtue to faith. Subsequent sermons then look at adding knowledge to our virtue, a call to temper our knowledge with self control, and finally to add steadfastness to our approach. At each stage we are growing and developing – all the better to serve our heavenly father and persevere in our walk with Christ.
Faith is the Foundation – Build on it Energetically
We must never content ourselves with a lethargic, half-hearted, mediocre, average Christian life.
“Faith is the foundation, and virtue is the superstructure… People don’t see faith. What they see is the life outside. Let them see virtue, let them see excellence, let them see moral distinction, let them see an energy that is producing all of this. Let them see that.”
Virtue is Excellence in Moral Distinction
Because of this, If the world sees little difference, if any, between genuine believers and those who are just religious, it is an indictment. Instead, in our homes, in our workplaces, in our neighbourhoods, in our churches – the world must see energy, energy, energy! We should be deliberately developing moral distinction and mastering what it means to live in obedience to God. May this be true of us.
Preacher: Conrad Mbewe
Series: Christian, Grow Up!
Title: Add Virtue to your Faith – with Energy!
Text: 2 Peter 1:1-5
Date preached: 1 September 2019
Location: Kabwata Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia
