There is a connection here with spiritual gifts. Peter points out that developing these traits of character makes one's ministry effective and productive. If we are Christ's, our title to the heavenly inheritance is without a flaw, and in harmony with the provisions of the covenant of grace. Through grace we shall be able to make our calling and election sure, putting on the excellency of Christ in spirit and character. Take a moment to ask yourself about your own calling and election.
Attitude counts a great deal in the work of the church.
Each individual member of a group has his or her own personality, attitudes, and agenda. We are not in heaven yet, and the pull of the societies and cultures in which we live is strong. The pull of innate selfishness is even stronger. Yet the life of the church is built around ethical standards based as much on attitude as on actual overt actions. Finding ways to be unified while recognizing individual differences in members of the group is one of the Holy Spirit's purposes in assigning spiritual gifts.