Jesus had revealed to Peter that His death was imminent. Peter also knew that the Christians, in what is now modern day Turkey, were suffering persecution because of their faith. And so he wrote this letter to encourage, warn, and give them his final instructions before he was called home by the Lord.
One of the major themes of Peter’s letters is the importance of spiritual growth. From the beginning, God intended our lives as Christians to be ones of perpetual motion. Far from being our only step, receiving Christ as our Savior is just the first step in a lifelong trek of maturity and renewal; with the goal of becoming a perfect reflection of Jesus. So how do we grow spiritually? Peter tells us God gives us everything we need to become more like Him saying, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (vs. 1:3-4)
What Peter is saying is that right now, we are each fully equipped to lead the lives that God has called us to lead. “As believers, we are partakers of a divine nature by which Jesus abides in us, and anything is possible by His power. We are also given awesome promises through which He develops His character in us.”...Dr. Charles Stanley.
Yet even though it is God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, who transforms us into His image, it isn’t His plan to do it alone. He wants us to work hand in hand with Him to reach the level of maturity that lets us live a life that not only glorifies the Lord, but protects us from the corruption of the world. “So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Eph. 4:14) So what part does God expect us to play? Peter tells us that our part includes not only faith, but seven other Christian qualities that when applied to our lives, allow us to mature spiritually. They include diligence, moral excellence, knowledge, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
“The grace of God demands diligence, (doing one’s best) as believers grow. It leads to moral excellence, (fulfilling our designated purpose). But the Christian life is more than faith and practical goodness. There is also knowledge, which Christians need not fear; for truth will lead to understanding. Next is self control, which follows when believers submit to the control of the indwelling Spirit. From self control springs perseverance, the ability to endure difficult things. To persevere is added godliness or reverence toward God and fellow men. This leads to brotherly kindness, the outworking of the previous quality. The crowning Christian progress is love, a deliberate desire for the highest good in the one loved.”....Louis Barbieri
Peter goes on to warn that those of us who lack these qualities will be useless and ineffective servants of God, as blind as unbelievers, having forgotten our forgiveness from sins. But to us who use those qualities to grow Peter is quick to encourage saying, “as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” (vs. 1:10-11)
We’ve all heard the expression, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” And that’s just what the Christian life is all about. Its not a single step, it’s a journey. A journey of moving forward and growing in maturity in our walk with the Lord. It’s about working on deepening our relationship with God, and living a life that glorifies Him. It’s about allowing the fruit of Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23) to shine through us for the world to see. God promises to do His part. Shouldn’t we promise to do ours?
