But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 2 Peter 1:5
Saving faith forms the solid foundation
The next block is virtue, moral excellence
Then we add knowledge.
The Greek is gnosis.
But it’s not secret, special revelation
It’s not Gnostic.
It’s not only for an initiated, select few.
It is knowledge of divine truth.
It is having a mind filled
With the truth of Scripture.
Paul tells us to study, (2 Timothy 2:15)
To handle the Word of God accurately and confidently.
He also agrees knowledge follows virtue (Romans 15:14).
But Jesus promised we’d have help.
The Holy Spirit teaches us. (John 14:26)
And Paul modeled how we pray for each other to gain knowledge. (Colossians 1:9)
(Do we pray for that?)
Adding knowledge requires study,
Meditation,
Discernment
Application.
In a word, it requires diligence.
If we don’t give it any effort, Peter says,
We’re useless and unfruitful.
Shortsighted, to the point of blindness.
We’ve forgotten we were cleansed from our old sins. (2 Peter 1:8-9)
Paul says we have been given
“The mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
We have the blocks.
What will we build with them?