Qualities of Faith

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

When we purchase a product that costs hundreds of dollars, we want assurance the product meets a certain level of quality, no matter what the advertisement claims. According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, “quality assurance” is defined as, “the maintenance of a desired level of quality in a service or product, especially by means of attention to every stage of the process of delivery or production.”

A Christian is expected to have quality assurance. The Apostle Peter said it this way, “applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love” (2 Peter 1:5–7).

As Christians we are expected to possess and demonstrate the qualities that prove we have been chosen and called by God. Peter said, “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8 ESV). Peter was pointing out that once we become Christians, we are not to “let go and let God” work on us. Christianity is not passive.

A Christian is expected to have quality assurance. The Apostle Peter said it this way, “applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love” (2 Peter 1:5–7; compare versions).

We must proactively do our part to apply all diligence and supply the qualities that prove we were chosen and called by God (2 Peter 1:10), as God does His part (2 Peter 1:11; Romans 8:28–30). Of course, this is not to be a superficial show, but a real change in the way we live, as John the Baptist pointed out to the crowds he preached to (Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:10–14). Thankfully, we are not alone in this effort. Jesus built His church as a self-teaching organization, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:7–16; 1 Peter 1:9).