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For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness\u2026 (2 Peter 1:5a).

We are saved by grace through faith. Full stop. Read Ephesians 2:1-10 for the most pointed Biblical word on that. But grace does more than save, it also sanctifies. And sanctification requires our partnership. That is the way of God\u2019s economy. We have been given everything we need for it. Not that we will become perfect in this life, but we will make progress, that is, if we put effort into it.

As Paul writes about the fruit of the Spirit, so Peter writes about these virtues. It is worth noting that the goal of these virtues is love, which is the most eminent Christian virtue binding the others together. Love is not primarily a feeling, even though it surely includes that. It always includes action, as in \u201cthis is love\u2026God loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins\u201d (1 John 4:10). Paul wrote, \u201cThe only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love\u201d (Galatians 5:6). This is Peter\u2019s version.

This is our goal: love. Of course, we shouldn\u2019t say that we can wait until the end to love. These virtues work to strengthen our ability to love. Here, Peter begins with \u2018goodness\u2019. What does this word mean and why is it first?

Our English word \u2018good\u2019 or \u2018goodness\u2019 is used to translate two different Greek words. The one word describes good actions like feeding the hungry and helping an elderly neighbour mow their grass. The other Greek word describes who a person is. Jesus had this to say, \u201cNo one is good\u2014except God alone\u201d (Mark 10:18). This is the word Peter uses here.

God\u2019s goodness has context. In Exodus 33, Moses asks God to reveal his glory. After some back and forth, God says, \u201cI will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you\u201d (19). So, God\u2019s goodness is connected to his glory. In his reflections on this story, Paul writes that we \u201care being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory\u201d (2 Corinthians 3:18). This, I think, is why Peter begins here. That we participate in the divine nature, that we become like God, that our character becomes good like his.

Let me offer some suggestions to add goodness to faith. First, worship God. Greg Beale wrote \u201cWhat people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or for restoration\u201d. We might also say, we worship what we love; so, love God and become like him. The challenge is that for many of us, worship is passive. We sit and receive what the leaders have to offer. How will you actively worship God?

Second, examine. The dictionary defines this: \u201cto look at or consider a person carefully and in detail in order to discover something about them\u201d. Christians have long practiced self-examine for the discovery of sinful habits and tendencies. The practice has been used to kill off the \u2018earthly nature\u2019 (Colossians 3:5). Of course, this is done under the guidance of God (Psalm 139:23-24). This is time consuming.

And speaking of God\u2019s guidance, a third bit of advice in our effort towards goodness: follow the Holy Spirit. Jesus named the Spirit, our counsellor, our guide. Paul said we are to walk in step with him. The Spirit will guide us away from our earthly nature, towards the goodness of God. That is the Spirit\u2019s job: \u201cto transform us into God\u2019s image with ever-increasing glory\u201d. Will we follow? All the gifts are here. Let\u2019s use them.

So, as you journey on:

Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Amen! (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18).