Introduction:     Someone has compared the Book of 2 Peter to a Spiritual pep talk. Peter is writing to believers who are facing some very difficult circumstances. He wants to encourage them to get up, stand up and move out for the cause of Jesus Christ. We need to be encouraged in the same manner. As we studied last week, Peter sets the challenge in verse 5. "ADD TO YOUR FAITH.”  That call is a call to be a Highly Effective Servant of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Basically every Christian falls into one of three categories. Some are...

1)      Babes In Christ

There are two ways to be a babe in Christ. One way is to have been recently born into the family of God. Others are babes in Christ because they are stunted in their development and growth as a believer. Some Christians are....

     2) Backsliders From Christ

A backslider is one who is saved, but not living close to the Lord. You don't stand still in your relationship to the Lord. You are going forward or backward. And some believers are...

     3) Builders For Christ

They are diligently going about the business of adding to their faith. I want to encourage you to be a builder. Here in our text Peter tells us how we are to be adding to our faith and what we are to add to our faith.  If we are going to become Highly Effective Servants of Jesus then we must develop the habit of...PRACTICING SPIRITUAL DILIGENCE. To become a highly effective Christian, we must make it a habit to cultivate a passion for virtue in our lives. The Bible says that we are to add to our faith (v.5). Again, the foundation is faith, faith in Jesus that results in our salvation. Then with diligence we begin this process of adding to our faith. And we are to add to our faith...Virtue. Now if we are going to do that, we must clearly understand what Peter is talking about when he speaks of virtue. In defining virtue let me emphasize two things. First... 

I.          VIRTUE IS AN ATTITUDE WE NEED TO HAVE

The attitude we approach things with certainly makes a difference in what we achieve. The term "virtue" as used in this verse refers to the courageous pursuit of moral excellence. Webster’s 1828 defines virtue as, Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties from sincere love to God. Someone has well said that, “Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth.” The outward expression of "virtue" begins with an inner attitude or mindset that says, "I want to do what is right." So Peter basically is saying we need to add to our faith a desire, or the attitude...to do what is right. Note…Luke 19:1-10. Here we have the story of Zacchaeus. First in verses 1-3 we have...

A.        The Description of Zacchaeus

He... lived in Jericho, made his living as a chief publican; he was rich and short of stature.

Then note... (v.3)

B.         The Desire of Zacchaeus

He wanted to see Jesus. He apparently had heard about this man named Jesus, and he wanted to size Him up for himself. He had a problem...the crowd got in the way.  But he didn't give up. Look at verse 4 and see...

C.        The Determination of Zacchaeus

He exerted himself just to see Jesus. And then notice what it leads to.

D.        The Decision of Zacchaeus

Don't miss this (vv.5-10). Old Zack was no more. He was a new man after he met Jesus. Verse 8 is really important. It tells us of the new attitude Zacchaeus had. He had a desire to make restitution for what he had stolen. That is virtue! He had the desire to do the right thing. And when he gave testimony of his intentions to Jesus, notice how Jesus responded in verse 9. Jesus confirmed the salvation of Zacchaeus. Virtue is an attitude we must have if we are going to be Highly Effective Servants of Jesus. But then secondly let me emphasize that...

II.         VIRTUE IS AN ACTION THAT WE MUST TAKE

Inwardly, virtue is an attitude that we need. Outwardly, virtue is an action that we must take. Remember that "virtue" is the pursuit of moral excellence.

A.                 Inwardly, We Desire To What Is Right.

It is being holy in an unholy world. (Illus. “You're pretty on the inside.")

B.                 Outwardly, We Demonstrate What Is Right.

God wants us to be pretty on the inside and so pretty that it shows up on the outside. You and I can not grow spiritually if we play around with sin. Sin always stops spiritual progress. (Illus. "Sheep don't wallow.") What he thought would bring him pleasure became his prison. That's good counsel for Christian sheep too.

Conclusion:       We must not play with sin. It may look appealing, but remember where it leads. It traps, it addicts, it enslaves, and it destroys. Oh let's have a passion for virtue.