Adding to Our Faith

Background Scripture: 2 Peter 1
Lesson Scripture: 2 Peter 1:2-12

Introduction

The apostle Peter addressed his second epistle to all those who had received the precious gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. We believe his clear instructions are for believers of all time. In this exhortation to Christians in his time and ours, we have an opportunity to evaluate our commitment to God and our obedience to His divine will.

Key Verse

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever (2 Pet. 3:18).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

When we, through the grace of God, were born again, we became partakers of the divine nature. We became recipients of God’s miraculous multiplication of peace in our hearts.

In this operation, God gave to us the things that pertain unto spiritual life and godliness. This life is the new life we now live in God’s family. Having received spiritual life, one might assume that this is the conclusion of the matter. Rather, it is a birth and, consequently, the beginning of a new way of life. Though having received peace with God is admittedly a high point, it is only the beginning.

A newborn baby begins to grow, adding size to his body and learning to his mind. With a healthy child, physical, mental, and social developments steadily occur. Many things contribute to the development of a child. Likewise, numerous factors contribute to the spiritual development of a new Christian. Although salvation is abundantly and generously free, to be a healthy Christian requires effort and self-denial. A newborn Christian must take up his cross and apply himself to his life in Christ.

Faith in God is the beginning of every new-birth experience. “But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb. 11:6). For some, it is an experience with considerable emotion; others are quietly born again. But for everyone, it is the start of a lifelong quest to grow in Christian graces.

Are the graces listed by Peter always achieved in the order he gave them and accomplished in steady increments like stair steps to higher ground? Probably not; Christian growth is more like a chain of faith in which each grace is linked to another, and a sincere and active Christian does not exclude any of these links.

Practical Truths for Today

We often use the terms “converted” and “born again” interchangeably; however, they are not strictly synonymous. New birth is the entrance into the kingdom of God, and in the new birth, one receives power to be converted to holy living. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Pet. 1:23). Conversion is the turning away from the life of sin to the life of godliness. The “new creature” Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 5:17 is the result of conversion: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Those who are converted are meek and teachable “and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).

When people have a born-again experience, they may be so filled with peace, joy, and love that they think they have reached the pinnacle of Christian experience. When the realities of Christian life bear upon them and they encounter the trials and disappointments of life, some may find themselves in a valley in which they need counseling and encouragement to find their way through. These experiences are for our sanctification, which is defined as “the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion.” 1 Sanctification in our Christian life requires self-denial and, therefore, is not easy.

The keyword in this lesson might easily be diligence. Diligence suggests paying earnest attention and energetically applying one’s self to his responsibilities. Peter exhorted all believers, as partakers of the divine nature, to give all diligence to make their calling and election sure. Courage and determination are needed to successfully face difficult situations in our Christian lives. A sincere Christian does not consider his life more difficult or painful than if he had chosen a life of sin; rather, he feels like Paul when he declared that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37).

All followers of Jesus began their walk with God by believing the gospel. In our lesson scripture, Peter assumes this basic step of faith that brought us salvation. To this first act of faith, he encourages the believers to add virtue. We usually think of virtue as desirable behavioral qualities, but as it is used here it includes the thought of having fortitude to express our faith to other people.

Peter instructs us to add knowledge to virtue. While scriptural knowledge comes by orderly study, meditation, and discussion with others, spiritual knowledge includes a humble understanding of man’s depravity. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33).

Temperance is central to a life of self-denial. It includes moderation in bodily needs and appetites, such as eating, drinking, and sleeping. It is a powerful testimony to unbelievers when they witness believers who have grace to control their physical appetites as well as their carnal nature.

The Scriptures mention in various places the necessity of patience. Christian parents often lament their lack of patience with their children. James referred to the rich examples of the prophets in their tribulations and Job’s resignation to his seemingly unfair misfortunes. The essence of patience is the calm and unruffled acceptance of God working with us in His own way and time. To trust God serves as a foundation for patience with our families as well as other people.

Living a godly life ought to be a Christian’s highest objective. Why do we sometimes resist that concept, even looking suspiciously or disapprovingly at fellow Christians whom we judge to be overly pious? We should find it attractive to be godly—patterned after our Lord.

Brotherly kindness finds its most sincere expression in the household of faith. Though we should reach out in love to everyone we meet, being friendly and lending a helping hand to them, we should be especially attentive to our brothers and sisters in the church. We want to show a sincere interest in their affairs and generously help them, being perceptive and sensitive to their struggles. We willingly offer our support, even though we may sometimes feel our own need is more worthy than theirs.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, he summarized the necessary Christian virtues into a short list of three: faith, hope, and charity, and he declared that “the greatest of these is charity.” Though Peter’s list of Christian graces is longer, he concludes it with charity.

Illustration

God gives life a small beginning with provision for growth. When Jesus taught the people about the kingdom of God, “he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? . . . It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds . . . it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it” (Mark 4:30-32). The field mustard plant of the holy land was a familiar plant that people used for food. The leaves were used for greens, and the seeds were made into paste. Smaller birds would nest in the larger plants.

The seed of faith sown in an honest and good heart will begin to grow. God wants His plantings in our hearts to bear fruit. “If these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful” (2 Pet. 1:8). Our heavenly Father provides us grace “that we should bring forth fruit unto God” (Rom. 7:4).

Questions

1. Will growth and development come in the order Peter outlined?
2. What are ways to foster more godly diligence among us?
3. Is any single virtue from Peter’s outline more important than the others?
4. What causes a condescending attitude toward Christians we consider overly pious or religious?
5. 1 Bible Doctrine and Practice, p. 130
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).