2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV)
⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfast-ness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Are you growing in Christ? Do you strive to add to your faith the things that can genuinely help you reach your full potential? Paul instructed us to “…press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Are you doing that? The word press is a present tense verb meaning “keep on pressing.” Every day we should be striving to reach our spiritual goal. To do that we must recognize that there are areas of our Christianity that need improving and do our best to grow in those areas.

This week we have been looking at things that Peter tells us to add to our faith. There are two more important characteristics that we have to examine—brotherly affection and love. Let us consider them together.

• Brotherly Affection

The Greek word for brotherly affection is philadelphia, and, of course, properly means, “the love of brothers or fraternal affection.” This is a characteristic that takes time. To have brotherly affection for someone necessitates cultivating a relationship with that person. This is why it is so important for brethren to spend time together. It is the best way to grow in the area of brotherly affection.

Acts 2:44 (ESV)
⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

The early saints spent time together, not only doing the work of the Lord but also associating with each other in order to know one another better. We must follow this example. As we grow closer together, it will constrain us to be more active members. Brethren who have a strong affection for each other are likely to work together for the Lord. This will naturally lead to spiritual growth.

• Love

Loving brethren is not enough. We must love universally. The love here is agape, the highest love we can possess. It does not expect anything in return, nor does it depend on the action of others. It is not merely emotional; it is a reasoned choice. We can love our enemies, not because we have affection for them, but because we decide to act in their best interest. That this is required is clearly taught by our Savior (Matthew 5:44).

Be sure to read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 because there we learn, not only that we cannot please God without it, but also how real love behaves. We need to be sure that we are loving others the way God has commanded us.

Adding all these things that Peter has revealed to us is critical to the salvation of our souls. Peter tells us that if we supplement our faith with these things, we will never fall (2 Peter 1:10). We may not master any of these qualities, but we can grow in all of them.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.