Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Peter 1:5-7 (New Living Translation)

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

These are the words of God. The heart and mind couldn’t create this.

Have faith—belief. To this believe faith add a a generous provision of moral excellence. Let’s try to understand that one.

Since creation, mankind has understood morality. People knew some things were wrong. People punished others who were immoral and did wrong. People saw how nature punished those who were immoral and did wrong.

Peter encourages the reader to respond to God’s promises. Believe in God and add a generous provision of moral excellence. Morality is not enough—excellence in morality is encouraged.

Why not practice moral excellence? What will it cost me? I have everything in Christ Jesus. What other gifts do I wish? Sure, a yacht would be nice (until I have to clean it and repair the engines). A million dollars would be nice (until my phone rings and rings because of folks wanting to sell me something). I could go on with “this would be nice and that would be nice,” but really. What’s the use?

Practice moral excellence. Let’s all try that. Please God, help me each day.