Grace by Addition

What traits are we to add in our character building?BR-ASI9 369.9

“Add to your faith virtue [courage]; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance [self-control]; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” 2 Peter 1:5-7.BR-ASI9 369.10

Note.—Faith is the first round in the Christian ladder, the first step Godward. “He that cometh to God must believe.” Hebrews 11:6.BR-ASI9 369.11

But an inoperative faith is useless. “Faith without works is dead.” James 2:20. To be of value, there must be coupled with faith that virtue, or courage of conviction, which impels to action.BR-ASI9 370.1

To courage there needs to be added knowledge.BR-ASI9 370.2

To knowledge there needs to be added temperance, or self-control—self-government. (See Acts 24:25, American Standard Version, and margin of Revised Version.)BR-ASI9 370.3

Patience naturally follows temperance. It is well-nigh impossible for an intemperate person to be patient.BR-ASI9 370.4

Having gained control of oneself, and become patient, one is in a condition to manifest godliness, or God-likeness.BR-ASI9 370.5

Having become godly, kindness toward the brethren, or brotherly kindness, naturally follows.BR-ASI9 370.6

Charity, or love for all, even our enemies, is the crowning grace, the highest step, the eighth round, in the Christian ladder.BR-ASI9 370.7

What is said of charity in the Scriptures?BR-ASI9 370.8

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; . . . thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. “Love covereth all sins.” Proverbs 10:12.BR-ASI9 370.9

What is charity called?BR-ASI9 370.10

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:14.BR-ASI9 370.11

What is the result of cultivating these eight graces?BR-ASI9 370.12

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8.BR-ASI9 370.13

What is the condition of one who lacks these graces?BR-ASI9 370.14

“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:9.BR-ASI9 370.15

What is promised those who add grace to grace?BR-ASI9 370.16

“If ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10.BR-ASI9 370.17