For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5-9 NIV
The apostle Paul taught extensively on the truth that we are saved by grace through faith alone, not of works lest anyone should boast. But James, writing by the same Spirit, draws our attention to the truth that faith without works is dead. Finding a balance between these two truths has been a major challenge for many, and I believe that this is where apostle Peter's teaching on adding something to our faith comes handy.
It is absolutely true that regarding saving faith, there's nothing we can add, it is faith only. But when it comes to putting our faith to work, after we are saved, Peter affirms that there are things we need to add to our faith. But note that he is not referring to saving faith, which requires nothing to be added to it. According to him, there are things we must make every effort to add to our faith. These include, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love. We must also bear in mind that he was writing to those who were already saved, and he tells them to add all of these things to their faith. These were things, according to him, if we possess will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, one can conclude that for a believer who wants to be effective and productive in his walk with Christ, his faith cannot stand alone, all of these other things must be added to his faith. Peter assures his audience that if they do these things, they will receive a rich welcome into the kingdom of Christ. This does not qualify them for entrance into the kingdom, but helps them to receive a rich welcome when they come into the kingdom. I believe that this is the desire of all who come to Christ: to receive a rich entrance in the kingdom.
Toni
