2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)
⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ 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.

To come to Jesus as your Savior is just the beginning of a life transformation.  It is amazing how some people are instantly transformed and seem to miraculously have a new personality and lifestyle. But even for those believers, this verse is true, for we all know we have a long way to go to be like Jesus.

In the face of a rash of false teachers that seduced people from the true faith by calling compromised morality spiritual (some things never change), Peter tells his flock to increase in spiritual attributes. “make every effort” – expanded translation – with urgent zeal provide what is necessary

Add or supply was originally the word for a choirmaster. In Greek productions, some benefactor who loved the theater would provide everything necessary for all members of a choir to perform.  So the idea is to do whatever is necessary and pay any cost. These are extremely urgent terms. Peter doesn’t just say, “Thank God you’re saved – see ya.” He knows that salvation is the beginning of the work of sanctification, making us more like Christ, and therefore more fruitful for the Kingdom of God in this world.

So he tells us to add to our faith (our belief in the Word of God and its manifestation, Jesus) goodness. arete -virtue – a divinely endowed ability to excel in heroic, courageous deeds. Don’t just be good, but excel in good actions as led by the Spirit. That is often costly, but that is what honors God and catches the attention of the seeker.  Of course we should be good, but this term implies goodness that goes beyond what is expected.  So add to your faith virtuous, courageous deeds.

And to that goodness add knowledge. Knowledge is divine truth as revealed in Scripture, the basis of discernment. Taking on the mind of Christ. This is not book learning but truth learning. Be discerning about what you read. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly. Col 3:16

to be continued…

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2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

His glory and goodness/virtue are the source of precious timios and magnificent megistos (valuable and greatest) divine promises.  Some examples of those divine promises are eternal life, the Holy Spirit, fruits of the Holy Spirit, grace, strength, wisdom, help, guidance, sanctification, glorification, heaven, and eternal rewards to name a few.

Why? So we could participate koinonos (fellowship, share, partner) in God’s nature, to be like Him in the world. Col 3:3 That life causes us to escape the corruption phthora (rotting, decaying) caused by evil desires/sinful lusts epithumia Genuine spiritual knowledge enlightens us to the destructiveness of sin and directs us to holiness. We can see more clearly the contrast between the glorious promises of God and the destructiveness of sin. It’s probably a good idea to apply those great and magnificent promises. Don’t you think so?

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West Fork pines

2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Sometimes we think we just can’t do it, that somehow we don’t have what it takes to really be godly. Peter was assuring his readers that we do indeed have what it takes, for it isn’t up to our power but about the divine power God gives us. In fact, we have everything we need for life and godliness. God has supplied all our need in Jesus. He is our divine power.

And how do we tap into it? It is through our knowledge of Him who called us. God is the One who gave you the call to live a holy life, to have eternal significance. He called you to keep in step (Galatians 5:25) with the Spirit by living through Him. (1John 4:9) As we get to know Him through His word and through our experience of walking with Him in prayerful obedience, His divine power to help us live a godly life is manifest.

Why did He call us? It’s all about His glory and goodness. He is the very definition of good. All glory belongs to Him for every good thing comes from Him. (James 1:17) He is the answer to all the evil in the world and in our hearts. The call has come to you so that you might glorify Him. The divine power is yours through knowing Him more intimately. Are you living in it?

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