"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."
2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)
Learn about each quality of the Christian life and how each quality is to be added to and is dependent on the previous quality.
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Faith is the base upon which all other qualities of Christian life are built. It is not dependent on any other quality, but is dependent on God's divine power to call a person to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus.
Fatih is the most inward and personal expression of a Christian life. It is the firm foundation that is built upon the rock, Christ Jesus.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Luke 6:46-49
"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)
Love is the most outward and selfless expression of Christian life. It is action entirely focused on God and other people, and not for the benefit of one's own needs or desires.
The ability to love is dependent on developing all the other qualities of Christian life. As the other qualities increase, the ability to love others will increase. An inability to love can be traced to an undeveloped heart, conscience and faith.
If you step through each of the qualities of Christian life and practice each, love will increase. Count on it!
"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
1 Philipians 1:6