2 Peter Chapter 1 Pt. 3 Christian Character Worked Into Us So We Can Love And Serve Others

2 Peter 1:3-4  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4)  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

The power of God through the gospel of Christ, forever impacts the life of those who hear and heed its call.

Old things will pass away and we begin to walk in newness of life, when the Spirit of God regenerates our heart and gives us a new spirit (See Ezekiel 11:19-21; 36:25-27). 

We are taught to pursue holiness and we learn about the glorious promises of God that await us. 

Next, Peter tells us to cultivate Christian virtues in us, as we learn to lean upon the indwelling Spirit of God.

The apostle gives us clear direction as to how godliness looks in the lives of Christians. 

I would suggest that this is strongly connected to the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit which should be evident in our lives (See Galatians 5:16-23).

Christian character must be sought after and maintained in us.

2 Peter 1:5-7  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6)  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7)  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 

Peter strongly encourages us to devote our energies and best efforts toward pursuing holiness in our lives. He cites 8 different traits of godliness that a Christian should seek after. 

The common ground for us to pursue these beautiful things of God, is our faith in Jesus Christ. 

Virtue is moral goodness, modesty of behavior, purity of thought.

Knowledge is something that Peter mentions often in this letter, because he wants to make sure that we draw closer to God through the knowledge of Christ. 

In this text, knowledge is moral wisdom that leads to living right before God and man. It is a growing understanding of things that believers should be doing and things that we should avoid.

Temperance is self control whereby, we learn to keep our sensual passions in check and to govern our desires according to God's will, rather than according to our own will. 

Patience is something that James spoke of extensively (See James 1). It is endurance, stedfastly pressing on to follow Jesus Christ no matter how great the obstacles or how hard our circumstances may be.

Godliness is very similar to the fear of the Lord. It is maintaining a reverence and respect toward God, because of who He is. He is Creator, Sustainer of all life, King and Sovereign Ruler, our Master and Great Shepherd. 

Godliness means exercising piety toward God, a deep, reverential, religious fear. Not only worshipping God with every outward act, but adoring, loving, and magnifying him in our heart.  

We are sinners saved by grace. He loved us enough to have Christ die for us, while we were yet dead in trespass and sins (See Romans 5:8-11).

Loving one another as Christ commands.

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Brotherly kindness is fulfilling Christ's command to love one another, as He loved us. 

We must add brotherly kindness, a tender affection to all our fellow-christians, who are children of the same Father. 

They are servants of the same Master, members of the same family, and travellers to the same country. 

They are heirs of the same inheritance, and therefore are to be loved with a pure heart fervently.

Paul tells us that this love causes us to put our brothers and sisters in Christ ahead of ourselves, such that we bless them as only true friends can.

Charity is that wonderful love of God that is poured into us, by the Holy Ghost (See Romans 5:5). 

It is a love of goodwill to all mankind, a love of delight which we have for those who are the children of God. 

God has made of one blood all nations, and all the children of men are partakers of the same human nature, are all capable of the same mercies, and subject to the same afflictions.

This is why we must faithfully share the gospel of Christ with those who do not know the Lord. We desire that they can enter into the joy of the Lord, as we have entered through faith in Christ. 

God's love in us is "shed abroad" which describes a river overflowing its banks after heavy spring rains. 

We may ask why these things are necessary, and the apostle is going to show us why we must diligently pursue them.

Christian virtue produces a vibrant spiritual life in us. 

2 Peter 1:8  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. 

If we pursue these grace gifts of God and the effectual working of His Spirit in us, then we will not be fruitless, barren believers.

Rather, we will be those who produce fruit for Christ's kingdom, those who enjoy a vibrant and vigorous spiritual life, those who live for God's glory and encourage others to do the same.

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

However, the life of a professing Christian who lacks Christian virtue and godliness, is blind to spiritual realities. 

The idea is of closing their eyes to the things of God to the degree that they only see and care about worldly things. 

Such a one has forgotten the joy of God's salvation, and the efficacious work of Christ to save their soul from Hell. 

They miss out on the joy of worshipping and fellowshipping with the people of God. 

They become spiritually dried up like the dry, dusty bones that the prophet Ezekiel saw. 

The exhortation from Peter is clear. Be the believer who pursues godliness at all times and who shuns the things of the world. Do not backslide and live only for self.

2 Peter 1:10-11  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11)  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

It requires diligence and labour to make sure our calling and election. There must be a close examination of ourselves, a very narrow search. 

Peter calls us to make strict enquiry, to make sure we are converted, our minds enlightened, our wills renewed, and our whole souls changed by the gospel.  

Psalm 139:23-24  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24)  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Romans 8:14-17  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15)  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16)  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17)  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 

May the words of the Psalmist and the apostle Paul guide us, and help us to diligently pursue holiness, and to seek the fruit and filling of the Holy Spirit.

May we be a blessing to all those with whom we have interactions. We have the opportunity to show a hate filled world, that the love of God in the heart of man, is far better way of life. 

Bob