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We all recognise this text as a wake-up call in our Faith, one that we are often reminded of during Lent. But it is one that should be in our minds all year. Very clearly it tells us that God is not content for us to stop our efforts when we have reached faith in our lives. All of the infant day Apostles confirmed this in different ways by the teaching given them by the Holy Ghost. Apostle Peter in our text states we will be blind, no foresight and we will become forgetful of God’s Grace. Apostle James 1:22-24 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. For he be holdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straight way forgetteth what manner of man he was.” Apostle Paul 1 Cor 13:2 “And  though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge: and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.” The Apostle Peter states very clearly that it is not a request to add to our faith, but something that we have to give diligence to if we are to make our calling and election sure. As we look at those things mentioned to add to our faith we must look to their deeper meaning as was the language of that day.

VIRTUE – Had two meanings-

1)    To develop Godly, Moral thoughts, feelings and actions in our life, and

2)     Power as expressed that our Lord knew that virtue had come out of Him when the sick woman had touched His garments to be healed. We too must develop and be prepared to use this gift to help heal and pick up those around who are troubled.

KNOWLEDGE – To Delight in, Cherish, to experience, to discover, to detect especially to be able to detect temptations that come our way.

TEMPERANCE – To be master over one’s desires. Sober minded at all times.

PATIENCE – Steadfastness and a calm and unruffled temper, to bear those things that may happen and we remain in the hope of God’s blessings. Apostle James in 1:3-4 went as far as to say if we can develop this patience we will be perfect and be wanting for nothing, “My brethren, count it a joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Our Lord taught Luke 21-29, “In your patience possess ye your souls.”

GODLINESS – God is Love and this must be seen in our lives in all our thoughts, words and actions.

BROTHERLY KINDNESS – The Golden Rule taught by our Lord embodies this. “Do unto others as you would wish them to do to you” but extends to forgiveness of all things done against us. We can extend this forgiveness direct if possible or in spirit, ask God to not hold it against them as shown by the Deacon Stephen. Acts 7-60.

BROTHERLY CHARITY – The sharing of our blessings, whether gifts or natural blessings with our brothers and sisters and especially the less fortunate. If we strive to add these to our faith, we can take great comfort in the promise “…for if ye do these things ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ .