Spiritual Progress

by T. J. FOLLETT | Category: For Young Believers | Oct 1951

(2 Peter 1.). Having given all diligence, super-add to your faith VIRTUE. Faith is the ground work of all-" By grace have ye been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Even faith is a heavenly virtue

And every virtue we possess,

And every victory won,

And every thought of holiness,

Are His alone."

"Without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto God, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." We read in the Scriptures of " little faith," " great faith," and the "full assurance of faith" ; the faith is the same, but it differs in degree. We begin with faith and we are then exhorted by Peter in this chapter to super-add to our faith Virtue.

Proverbs tells us of the virtuous woman, that her price is far above rubies, and after describing her virtues, chapter 31. says, "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou exeellest them all." We read also in Philippians 4.8-" Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true .... honest ... just ... pure ... lovely ... of good report, if there be any virtue, if there he any praise, think on these things, and the God of peace shall be with you." One of the exceeding great and precious promises! Add to your Virtue KNOWLEDGE. The knowledge of God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ is true knowledge (Hosea 6. 8). These shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord. Acquaintance with the Lord will help us grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3.18). The apostle Paul longed that he might know Him, and the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death. This calL for a real forfeiting of the things that are behind, andapressing on towards the prize of the high calhng of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3. 14). The Lord said in His prayer in John 17. 3"And this is life eternal, that they should know Thee, the only true God, and Him whom Thou didst send, even Jesus Christ."

To knowledge TEMPERANCE; not the generally understood meaning of total abstinence. Paul reasoned with Felix of righteousness, temperance and judgement to come, and Felix trembled. To Titus he writes-" that the aged men be temperate, grave, sobe minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience" (Titus 2. 2) - "young men to be soberminded" (verse 6). All men to live soberly (verse 12).

To temperance PATIENCE. Patience is a great virtue; the Lord Himself is the great example of patience; we sing

0 patient, spotless One,

Our hearts in meekness train,

To bear Thy yoke and learn of Thee,

That we may rest obtain ."

Those who are patient must be meek. Moses is an example of this, he was the meekest man in all the earth. The Lord says, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

To patience GODLINESS. Godliness implies reverence for God, and will guide us to act in His fear. "Like Thee in faith, in meekness, love, In every heavenly grace; From glory unto glory changed, Till we behold Thy face."

To godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS-" Be ye kind one toward another, tenderly affectioned, forgiving one another as God for Christ's sake forgave you."

To brotherly kindness Love - the topstone. We sing "Love was the spring of all, Love triumphed o'er he fall, The love of God." Love is of God, for "God is Love." We are "taught of God to love one another." "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal". But our love should overflow to all men, and cause us to seek their eternal well-being.

And so we have brought before us by the apostle Peter through the Spirit, the perfection of graces-faith the groundwork, then virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

T. J. FOLLETT | Oct 1951
For Young Believers