Virtuoso Christians

Several years ago, I saw a clip of an old late-night show. The host was interviewing a concert pianist after the musician performed. With obvious admiration, the show host commented that he would do anything to be able to play a piano as well as the guest. The performer surprised the interviewer by responding with an adamant, “No, you wouldn’t!” He then went on to explain that to achieve his level of skill required a commitment of daily practice for years. Most people are unwilling to subject themselves to that much hard work to reach mastery. He then concluded with, “You just like the idea of being a concert pianist more than the reality.” Jovially, the host agreed.

There are many areas of life where we might admire people for taking the time to improve their skills. Certainly, the exorbitant salaries that top athletes, actors, musicians, and others receive for honing their talent would indicate our admiration for those who put in the required practice to perfect a skill. But where is the appreciation for those who put in the patience, discipline, and hard work to acquire virtues or display certain positive characteristics? 

In 2 Peter 1, there is a list of what are commonly referred to as the Christian graces. Reading over the list, one might really like the idea of describing themselves with these qualities. However, as with the pianist, there is a world of difference between merely listing these attributes and becoming someone who practices them. 

Each of the virtues listed in 2 Pet. 1:5-7 builds upon the previous one, much like ascending a staircase. The verses read in the NIV as follows: 

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. 

The English Standard Version says “make every effort to supplement your faith,” indicating that the traits recorded are to be additions. Here is where the hard work comes in: to move from words that describe to actions that embody. This is not just a list of adjectives. They are goals to attain. 

According to this passage, faith is the foundation level upon which other characteristics should be built in every Christian. We enhance our faith by adding goodness, or virtue, to our belief. We are informed how to act virtuously (or “good”) through knowledge of the word of God. Having acquired the knowledge of what is good behavior, we must then exhibit self-control in maintaining this lifestyle. Management of our desires requires discipline, which ushers in the exercise of practice, or perseverance. As we continue to practice and maintain this self-discipline of doing good, informed by our knowledge, we become more like God (godliness). Having more of the characteristics of the goodness of God causes us to act toward others in mutual affection, or as the NASB renders it, in “brotherly kindness.” When we treat others with brotherly kindness, we show our godliness and ultimately exhibit love.

So, if we want to be true Christians and not just people who like the idea of being Christ-like, we need to put in the hours of practice. We must work daily, weekly, and monthly to add to our faith the virtues listed in 2 Pet. 1:5-7. 

However, it isn’t just about achieving perfection. If you have a level of interest but the effort seems too great, don’t give up hope before you have even started. Possessing these qualities “in increasing measure” (v. 8) will aid us in our quest to grow in knowledge of Jesus. Just as the aforementioned musician practices to become a master, we too can trend toward becoming more faithful followers and not just fans of Jesus Christ. 

Yet, our perseverance in adding on these virtues to our lives is to be a blessing, not a burden. What joy the repetition of action becomes! Verse 10 states, “if you practice these things you will never fall.” The gradual climb up this figurative staircase leads us upward toward becoming virtuosos rather than just admirers of the Christian lifestyle.