God Has Given So We Can Grow: 2 Peter 1:5-9

We have barely begun our study of Peter’s second letter to the followers of Jesus who lived in what is modern-day Turkey. We’ve barely gotten started and yet we have learned so much. We have to go back and set the stage for our Scripture for this morning by being reminded of what God has already done for each and every one of His followers. Take a look at 2 Peter 1:3 with me.

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3 ESV)

This should be the greatest bit of encouragement you will ever hear if you are a follower of Jesus this morning. This is really mind boggling and difficult for us to understand because you and I are faced with the hard reality of our disadvantages every day. Some are more intelligent than we are, others more beautiful or handsome, and some have a personality that is like a magnet drawing everyone to them. I have a nephew who is 6’8 and built like a Viking. I would have loved to have had his size while I was playing sports, but I could hang from a pullup bar for a year and never be 6’8. There will always be those who have an advantage in one way or the other, except for when it comes to God’s provision for His people. You and I, if we are followers of Jesus, have been given everything, everything we need to live a godly life. You lack nothing. I lack nothing. That is so exciting isn’t it?!

That is not the end of the story though. God has provided everything we need for life and godliness, but we have to utilize what God has provided for us. Let me give you an example of what I mean.  At my house, the electric company and the water company have graciously provided Connie and me with everything we need when it comes to electricity and water. Maybe “gracious” is the wrong word since they will cut off their provision if we don’t pay our bill this month. For the sake of the illustration, they have brought these wonderful gifts into our home! In order for us to access what they have provided we must flip the switch and turn the faucet. They provide, but we must put forth some effort as well. In a similar way, God has provided everything we need in order for us to live a life that pleases Him and makes an impact on those we encounter each and every day, but we must “make every effort” to utilize what He has provided. Let’s read our Scripture for today and see what we can learn.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. (2 Peter 1:5-9 ESV)

Peter begins our Scripture for this morning by saying, “For this very reason, make every effort…” For what very reason? God has acted on our behalf–He has given us new life in Christ, He has given us His “precious and very great promises” (vs.4), and He has made us “partakers of His divine nature” (vs.4), His Holy Spirit literally lives inside of each and every follower of Jesus. Because God has done this for us, it is vitally important, it is urgent, that we “make every effort.” Peter’s phrase reminds me of something the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV)

Our desire and commitment to live a life that pleases the Lord, that conforms to the life Jesus lived, should rival that of the most dedicated athletes. I have a friend who was a great tennis player when he was a young kid. Spencer was the number one player in the nation in his age group from the time he was 12 years old. The USTA recognized his talent and offered him the opportunity to move to Boca Raton, Florida to train with seven other boys his age from across the nation. Spencer was thirteen at the time that he made the move. He paid a great price to pursue his goals. He moved away from his family, he left his classmates, he lived in a dorm with other boys from across the nation who had made the same move, and he submitted himself to a strict training regime that dominated his every waking hour. Spencer did all of that, as Paul said, for a “crown that will not last.” You and I are called to put forth the same effort, but for a “crown that will last forever.” 

Peter says we are to make every effort to “supplement” the faith with seven character qualities or behaviors. They are “virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.” I know that I mentioned this two weeks ago, but I don’t think I can mention it enough. Our pursuit of these character qualities or Christlike behaviors is not to gain salvation, we don’t pursue these behaviors to be made right with God, but they are an overflow of the salvation we already possess, if you are a follower of Jesus. Pastor Gil Rugh put it like this…

Now it is not that I reach down into the resources of myself to pull myself up to accomplish what I should. No! I reach down into the resources of Almighty God, who has made me new within, and I draw upon His power, the One who is my sufficiency, and apply myself to the pursuit of the development of His character in every aspect of my life. That is the idea being presented. (Gil Rugh)

That’s it right there. God has provided for you and me so that we can grow in His will for us to become more and more like Jesus. I want us to take a look at each of these Christlike qualities, but first I want you to notice that Peter says you are to “supplement your faith.” Faith is the gift God has given, it is the work of God in your life and mine. Every follower of Jesus has been given the gift of faith. Paul wrote,

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)

You and I have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God! The question is, “Will you receive this wonderful gift of faith?” I was in the Sunday school class for our Afghan and Iranian friends last Sunday when they were talking about this wonderful gift God offers to us. Carolyn held out a beautifully wrapped package and asked if any of them wanted to receive the gift? What a beautiful visual for all of us. The gift is offered, free of charge, but will you receive it? 

I want us to spend the rest of our time taking a look at each of the seven Christlike qualities that all of His followers are to pursue with laser focus. 

First on the list is “virtue.” The New International Version translates the Greek word “ἀρετή” (arete) as “goodness.” The New American Standard translates it as “moral excellence.” The Greek word means, “excellence of character.” The word describes the excellence of a person or thing that enables it to achieve its purpose. The Greek philosophers believed that when anything fulfilled its purpose, the fulfillment was called “virtue” or “moral excellence.” Land that produced crops was “excellent” because it fulfilled its purpose. A tool that functioned as it should was “excellent” because it fulfilled its purpose. The Greek philosophers believed the purpose of people was to live a virtuous life. What is our purpose as human beings? That’s a question that many people are searching for today and there are such a wide variety of ideas and answers that are offered. The biblical answer is that there is no greater purpose than to become more and more like Jesus. Michael Green writes of the purpose of the follower of Jesus. 

In a word, his life must reflect something of the attractive character of Christ. For he was the man par excellence, the proper man. …That likeness cannot be acquired except through personal and continuous encounter with him by faith. (Green, Michael. 2 Peter and Jude. pg. 87)

I love that phrase, “...the attractive character of Christ.” Peter, in verse 3, used this same Greek word for “moral excellence” or “virtue” when he wrote, “

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

That’s quite a thought isn’t it? He called us by His own glory and goodness. His moral excellence, His goodness, His virtue is attractive is it not? As He molds and shapes us, as His character becomes more present in our character, others will be drawn to Him through us. I witnessed this just last Sunday. While I was in the Farsi Bible study, one of the women, Shaheen, said, “I see Jesus reflected in the people of this church.” The Bible teaches that this world is in spiritual darkness, but God has called Jesus’ followers out of the darkness and given us a purpose, the purpose of living in such a way that those who do not know Jesus would be attracted to Him through us. Paul said we are ambassadors of Christ and that is what we are. 

Second on the list is knowledge. It is important for us to recognize that knowledge, biblically speaking, is not the equivalent of education or the accumulation of facts, but it pertains to wisdom and spiritual discernment. Paul prayed for the believers in Colossae, 

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (Colossians 1:9-10 NIV)

Wisdom is different from knowledge. Knowledge is information gained while wisdom is knowing how to use the information that has been gained in a way that is appropriate and meaningful. There are countless topics that we could devote our lives to and in so doing we could gain great knowledge. Of all of the possible topics we could learn about, none is greater than knowing more and more about God. J.I. Packer wrote,

What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. “This is life eternal, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment than anything else? Knowledge of God. “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me” (Jeremiah 9:23). …Once you have become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord. (J.I. Packer, Knowing God)

We are to pursue knowledge about God and how He wants us to live this life, but we must always remember that the knowledge gained through our study of God’s Word and our interaction with other believers, is intended to mold and shape us more and more into the likeness of Jesus. Paul wrote,

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- (Titus 1:1 NIV)

Third on the list is self-control. The Greek word, “ἐγκράτεια” (enkrateia), which is translated “self-control” was an important word for the ancient philosophers. Aristotle knew that people could be mastered by their passions, but he had no answer for the problem. We don’t need Aristotle to teach us about the dangers of a lack of self-control. I’m certain that we, all of us, are all too familiar with what a lack of self-control can lead to in our own lives. The cravings of the eyes and the flesh have destroyed so many lives. We can not only look in the mirror to learn about the consequences of self-control. We can also look in the pages of God’s Word.

The life of Solomon is a great teacher for you and me. The Bible tells us Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, but he lacked self-control. God gave Solomon great wisdom so he could rule as king. During Solomon’s 40 years as king, Israel prospered greatly, Israelite society flourished, and there was peace in the land. 

God had told His people not to intermarry with the people of other lands because they served false gods. Solomon couldn’t resist. We read about Solomon’s wives in 1 Kings 11:2-6.

2 They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done. (1 Kings 11:2-6 NIV)

The self-control Peter is writing about pertains to all of life. We can make an idol out of anything and those idols will seize control of our lives. The Stoic philosopher's solution to the lack of self-control was to try harder. For the followers of Jesus, self-control is not a reliance on self as much as it is submission to the control of the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work in us to reign in our passions and addictions. 

Fourth on the list is steadfastness, or some of your Bibles translate the Greek word, “ὑπομονή”  (hypomonē), as “perseverance.” Literally the word means to “bear up under.” If you have ever seen a powerlifter get under a bar loaded with weight on a squat rack, then you get the picture of steadfastness. The most beautiful picture of the steadfastness we are to pursue is found in Hebrews 12:1-2. Listen to this. 

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)

Some people are really amazing at how they can accept the situation at hand and simply endure it. This is not the idea behind “steadfastness” or “perseverance.” This word has a forward look to it. Did you notice what the writer of Hebrews said about Jesus? “For the joy set before him he endured the cross…” It was what was beyond the humiliation and agony of the cross that strengthened Him to endure the cross. That can be said of every follower of Jesus. The joy that was before Jesus is before us as well. I’m certainly speaking about the joy of knowing we will be with Him in heaven one day, but I’m also speaking about the journey through the deep, dark valleys where He will lead us. We are never alone, my friends. If we will trust Him, if we will turn to Him, we will find Him closest during those dark, difficult days. William Barclay has written,

In the Christian life we have a presence, the presence of Jesus. He is at once the goal of our journey and the companion of our way; at once the one whom we go to meet and the one with whom we travel. The wonder of the Christian life is that we press on surrounded by the saints, oblivious to everything but the glory of the goal and forever in the company of him who has already made the journey and reached the goal, and who waits to welcome us when we reach the end. (Barclay, William. Barclay’s Daily Study Bible. Hebrews 12)

Fifth on the list is godliness. Remember that the people who received this letter from Peter were living in the Roman Empire with all of their pagan temples and gods. This word, translated “godliness,” was used in their towns to describe all of the various rituals related to the worship and devotion of the people to their pagan idols and gods. Peter first used this word in verse 3 where he wrote, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life…” We are to live lives that show our reverence for the Lord and we are to honor Him in every aspect of our lives.  Turn with me to 1 Timothy 4:7-8. I want to show you something really interesting. 

7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV)

We read in 2 Peter 1:3 that God has given us everything we need to live a godly life. Peter says to make every effort to add to our steadfastness, godliness. Paul says, “Train yourself to be godly.” Which is it? It is both. God has provided, now utilize and develop and increase in godliness.  

Sixth on the list is brotherly affection. Here’s a Greek word you already know. It is the word, “φιλαδελφία” (philadelphia), and it means “sibling love” or “brotherly love.” The early Christians loved this word because they saw themselves as brothers and sisters in Christ. Though they, like us who are here this morning, were from different nations, languages, and cultures, they had been brought into Jesus’ family and they were to love one another as Jesus had loved them. If you and I will remember this wonderful gift, the gift of having been brought into Jesus’ family, it will radically affect the way we treat one another. 

I want all of you who are followers of Jesus to know something important. Some of us, who are your brothers and sisters in Christ, are hard to love. That is no excuse to walk away from us. This gift of family takes work, but He will help you love me even though I am hard to love, even though I have let you down time and time again, though I may be an embarrassment to you in front of your cool friends, and even though you would rather walk away. Michael Green writes,

But this gift has to be worked at. Love for the brethren entails bearing one another’s burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ; it means guarding that Spirit-given unity from destruction by gossip, prejudice, narrowness, and the refusal to accept a brother Christian for what he is in Christ. The very importance and the difficulty of achieving this philadelphia is the reason for the considerable stress on it in the pages of the New Testament. (Green, Michael. 2 Peter and Jude. pg. 90)

Last on the list is love. Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 13, “The greatest of these is love.” This love is not just love for the family of God, but it is love for all people regardless of whether they are followers of Jesus or not. By nature we seek out those  with whom we like, those we enjoy being around, and those who add something to our life. God’s love, “agape” love, is altogether different. This love seeks out those who have no reason to be loved and calls them “beloved.” There is no more beautiful Scripture in all of God’s Word than Romans 5:7-8. Read it with me.

7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:7-8 NLT)

He is the Great Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep and gathers them up in His arms. He is the woman who turns her house upside down to find the lost coin in Luke 15. We are the leper in Matthew’s Gospel who is untouchable, and yet Jesus has reached out and touched us and said, “Be clean!” And it is this love, His love, that He calls us to offer to the least, the lost, and the lonely who are stumbling around in the darkness of life. 

We aren’t going to make it to verses 8-9, but there is something very important that I need to share with you before we go. We can look at this list of seven qualities and decide, “Well, I’ll start with the first one and work on it until I get it mastered. Then, I’ll move on to the second, etc.” These are not so much skills to be mastered as they are a lifestyle to emulate. We find the most perfect expression of each and every one in the life of Jesus. To grow in each of these areas we simply need to learn the ways of Jesus. Let me give you an illustration. 

I was reading an article this past week about Kobe Bryant. Kobe was born in 1978 and his dad played in the NBA until 1983. The family then moved to Italy and then France so he could continue to play professional basketball. When Kobe was old enough to watch basketball on TV, he idolized Michael Jordan. Young Kobe watched every game of Michael that he could. He would go out on the court to practice and he tried to copy what he saw Michael doing on TV. He practiced walking like Jordan walked. He practiced shooting like Jordan shot the ball. He wanted more than anything to be like Mike.

Then, in 1996, at just 18 years of age, Kobe Bryant was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers. Nick Van Exel was a veteran with the Lakers. He and Kobe’s other teammates noticed that Kobe had not just copied Jordan’s moves, but he even copied Jordan’s mannerisms on the court. Kobe heard that Nick had two VHS tapes of nothing but Michael Jordan highlights that a friend living in Chicago had made for him. Kobe asked if he could borrow the tapes? Nick never got the tapes back. In 2022, in an interview on Fox News, Nick Van Exel said,

Everything that MJ did, Kobe did, like chewing the gum, the walking, the moves, the footwork. I used to have VHS tapes back in the day full of highlights of Michael Jordan. Kobe asked to borrow them, and I've never seen those tapes again.  (Nick Van Exel)

In his book, The Mamba Mentality: How I Play, Kobe admitted that he took his defensive game to another level by studying a photo, not a video, but a photo of Michael Jordan. Kobe writes,

Michael is standing straight from the waist up. He’s not leaning in either direction and because of that he is balanced and centered. Thankfully, I actually saw this photo back in 1998. After studying it, I corrected my posture and balance. After that, it was a lot harder to operate against me in the post. (Kobe Bryant)

On August 8, 1991 Gatorade released one of their most influential commercials, “Be Like Mike.” It was a catchy tune and I bet some of you older folks can still sing it today. There’s a difference between singing the tune and making every effort to be like Mike. Kobe made every effort. 

If you are a follower of Jesus then your goal is not to be like Michael Jordan, but it’s to be like Jesus. Study Him. Read the Gospels and then read them again. Never stop reading them and putting into practice the things you learn, the things you hear, and the things you see Jesus doing. God has already given us everything we need. Are we willing to make every effort to walk in His steps?

If you are not a follower of Jesus then I want you to know the gift of His grace is right before you. Will you receive it? Will you confess your need for Jesus and then allow Him to begin to work in your life? 

Mike Hays

Britton Christian Church

February 23, 2025