“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness... For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness (virtue), and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, PERSEVERANCE…” 2 Peter 1:3, 5

Norway’s Ansel Lund Svindal won the gold medal in this year's Winter Olymipics in the super-G, overcoming a disastrous fall in a race last year that could have kept him from competing in the Olympic Games this year.  Rather than give up or get discouraged, Ansel put himself through a rigorous recovery and training process determined to compete for the gold medal.   Every Olympian understands that pain and persevering through intense pain is part of the price for being able to compete at this level of competition and have any hope of Olympic gold.  By focusing on the gold, they gladly persevere to be counted among the best in the world.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness... For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness (virtue), and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, SELF-CONTROL…” 2 Peter 1:3, 5

You have probably watched enough movies or plays to recall situations where one of the characters has lost it emotionally and is unable to function.  Usually, one of the main characters in the story reaches over and grabs the out of control person by the collar and shouts at them, “Get a grip on yourself!”  The faith additive Peter lists as self-control expresses that same idea.  It is about “getting a grip on yourself.”

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness... For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness (virtue), and to goodness, KNOWLEDGE…” 2 Peter 1:3, 5

Radio talk shows are a magnet for ignorant people wanting to express their ignorance.  Unfortunately, some of the most embarrassing are often well-meaning Christians who give all Christians a bad name.  It is shameful how Christ and the truth are so often misrepresented to the world because knowledge is lacking.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness... For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith VIRTUE (goodness)…” 2 Peter 1:3, 5

In a time when virtue was usually exchanged for expedience, Polycarp remained an example for all times of the power of a virtuous life.  In life he lived as a man of honesty and integrity, the kind of man who makes a good friend and citizen.  In death, he gave us an example of a noble courage rarely found among men.  Hauled before an angry mob during a time of intense persecution of Christians, Polycarp had only to hail Caesar as lord and offer a tiny pinch of incense at his altar to escape a tortuous death.  Instead, he steadfastly declared, “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"