2 Pet 1:5 ~ Part Two

We are going through a lesson that deals with building our spiritual life.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior, God immediately gave to us five precious gifts, one of which was faith (2 Pet 1:1-4, lesson on 4/11/13).  Saturday, we studied the first part of  2 Pet 1:5 , in which we learned that faith was the foundation of our spiritual life.  Peter is telling us that, in order to grow in our walk with the Lord, we need to add to that gift of faith.  He is also saying that we need to be diligent, or eager, in our growth.  In other words, do not let one day go by without being in the Word; if we do, decay will likely set into our spiritual life.
With that being said, the first "element" to add to faith is virtue, which is excellence or above average moral character (lesson on 4/13/13).
To the first element, we add knowledge.  This is what we know about Jesus, which is always growing, as we are always, or should always be,  thirsting for more.
To virtue and knowledge, we add temperance.  Now temperance means to crucify or deny the flesh.  That is easier said than done, I know, but we must do this for the Holy Spirit, which lives within us.
The last element that we are going to add today is patience, which is endurance.  Endurance means simply, "do not quit...EVER!"

Please come back tomorrow for our third and final lesson on 2 Pet 1:5.  God bless!