AUGUST 18 = 2 PETER 1
BECOMING EFFECTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE
Today we arrive at the second epistle of Peter, once again written to the church at large, rather than to a particular congregation. Therefore, the letter is known by the name of the author, rather than the location or name of the recipient. And, true to his form in the first letter, Peter is very practical and mature in his advice.
Remember, Peter is in prison in Rome, knowing that he will soon be executed by the emperor Nero. We are still prior to ...
AUGUST 18 = 2 PETER 1
BECOMING EFFECTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE
Today we arrive at the second epistle of Peter, once again written to the church at large, rather than to a particular congregation. Therefore, the letter is known by the name of the author, rather than the location or name of the recipient. And, true to his form in the first letter, Peter is very practical and mature in his advice.
Remember, Peter is in prison in Rome, knowing that he will soon be executed by the emperor Nero. We are still prior to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, but clearly things are not going well for believers in Jesus. Yet Peter is so completely convinced of the divinity of Jesus and the reality of the resurrection that he unflinchingly writes encouraging words of hope and love.
Remember, as well, Peter is an older man now, and as such he has gained some of the wisdom that comes from experience in the ways of the Lord. So when Peter talks about maturity, and when he talks about being effective and productive, we would be wise to learn from him. So, let us sit at the feet of this godly saint, this personal eyewitness, and learn from the Spirit who guides his writing.
“For this very reason, …
What is the reason? It is because God has given us everything we need for a godly life, and he has given us very great and precious promises, so that we may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world. Because of our deliverance and our available tools, Peter is giving us the next step.
“…make every effort to add to your faith …”
Don’t just do this halfway. Make every effort. Maturity does not come automatically. This is a top priority to reach your potential in Christ. So you believe in Christ. Now add to your faith these qualities:
“…goodness; …”
Do you know anyone who you would say is a “good” person? What does that mean to you? Honesty? Integrity? Love? Care for others? Responsibility? They are a good person. This is what we are to add to our faith. Becoming a good person. Doing what’s right. Speaking rightly. Loving truly. Serving well. Make every effort to become good.
“…and to goodness, knowledge; …”
Make every effort to add knowledge to your goodness. Notice that knowledge does not come first. First comes faith, then character. As we grow, we make sure that we are centered in truth, not just in good intentions. Now we study Scripture. We read books. We learn the facts and memorize the words. We learn the ways of the Lord.
“…and to knowledge, self-control;…”
Remember how self-control was the primary focus for young men, as well as being part of the agenda for all the other groups? Be sure as you grow in doctrine that you don’t become one of “those” Christ followers, with easy answers and quick judgment of others. Or that you are a person whose beliefs are not matched by their behavior. It takes self-control to keep your temper, to watch your tongue, to curb your desires, to say no to your flesh. So make every effort to add self-control to your life.
“… and to self-control, perseverance; …”
Especially in that era of persecution, the quality of perseverance was essential. But it is true today just as well. We have been adding qualities to our faith, not one quality at a time, but adding each one to the stack that we already have. That means that it is necessary to not give up or give in, but to keep persevering in our every effort. Others will not like what we are becoming. Some will oppose the truth. We will grow tired of the work it takes to be making every effort to attend to our spiritual lives. All of this takes a large amount of perseverance.
“…and to perseverance, godliness; …”
I think of godliness and goodness as being pretty much the same. But they are listed separately, so one must be more mature and challenging than the other. Godliness is being like God, and all that his character demonstrates to us. Being godly is being loving, just, wise, controlled, generous, and holy. And the standard for godliness, of course, is God himself. So all qualities of godliness are on an infinite scale. So it is understandable that we need to make every effort to add godliness to our lives.
“…and to godliness, mutual affection; …”
We do not stop in our spiritual growth merely focused on self, no matter how godly we might become. The true mark of maturity is love. Make no mistake about it. The Greek word used here has to do with familial love, or the love between good friends. We mutually care for each other. We don’t just tolerate, but we enjoy. We know each other. We keep no secrets, but freely confess our sins to each other. We are available to help each other with our time, our finances, and our considerateness. We speak well of each other in front of others. We speak no unkind words, and we do nothing selfishly. This is a tall order, but it is a mark of maturity in Christ.
“…and to mutual affection, love.”
Did he just say mutual affection? Now he says love! This is a different word in Greek. It is the sacrificial word for love, agape. It is the love that Christ always used. It is more than affection, it is sacrifice. More than caring, it is serving. It is considering others to be more than family or friends, but to be above your own self. As we noted just above, love is the true mark of Christian maturity. When we learn to love, we have begun to become like Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
And there it is. This is the list of seven characteristics of an effective and productive follower of Jesus. But note that we have not “arrived” when we have completed the list. They are to be our qualities “in increasing measure.” So we never stop adding all of these to our lives.
One more thing to notice here is that Peter used what we might call the “full name” of Jesus: The Lord Jesus Christ. He is “our.” We have chosen to follow and identify with him. He is “Lord.” The master and authority and boss of all there is. He is “Jesus.” The name means Jehovah is Salvation. He is “Christ.” That is to say he is the anointed one, the promised Messiah (the Hebrew word, rather than Greek “Christ.”)
May you and I possess these qualities in increasing measure, and may we be effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
