This is some amazing scripture! For in it we see the building blocks to a thriving Christian experience. First before we break down these building blocks, let's look first at Peter's admonition:
a. giving all diligence.... Greek- Spoude- speed, eagerness, haste....we all know that our Christian faith is compared to that of a race, 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Heb 12:1 (KJV), Peter here is using words that emphasis urgency. Many of us wish we were farther ahead in this race then where we currently are and in most cases the reason that we wish we were farther ahead is because lack of diligence or urgency.
So with diligence let us look at these qualities that will bring us into a life of His pleasing.
a. Let's start with Faith- Greek- Pistis- persuasion, conviction. The Word of God declares 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Romans 12:3 (KJV) This is wonderful because it tells you and I that we all have the same amount of faith, be it Billy Graham or Apostle Paul we all have the same amount of faith and we are all equal on the playing field and we all have the same capacity to do the works of Jesus. What are you doing with your faith? Faith is where it starts for all of us and we build from there.
b. Next we look at Virtue- Arete- manliness, excellence. This speaks of things that are done in a person's life that are above what is expected. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 1 Cor 9:26 (KJV) Faith...empowers us to do over and above the call of duty. Faith and Virtue together will develop a character above reproach. Jesus desires to manifest this in all of us.
c. Now let's look at Knowledge- Gnosis- knowing, science. It is speaking of the general acquiring of knowledge. Even though Peter is not conclusive regarding what kind of knowledge to acquire I believe it is safe to assume He is speaking of gathering knowledge regarding our Lord 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 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: 2 Peter 1:2-3 (KJV) adding knowledge to a life of virtue will cause the results of knowledge to be seen. Faith, Virtue and Knowledge will cause a believer to go that extra mile to make sure that what he or she is learning is being applied to their life.
d. Look now at Temperance- Enkrateia- self-control. Basically means....BE A DISCIPLE OF JESUS!!!! No matter how you feel, no matter what anyone else may say, no matter what others are doing......you are doing what you know to be right in the eyes of our Lord. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible 1 Cor 9:25 (KJV) This is the quality that brought Jesus to the cross as the pure lamb of God. Faith, Virtue, Knowledge and Temperance will ensure the believer of staying in the race pursuing the Lord.
e. And here's our favorite word Patience-Hypomone- cheerful endurance. Patience takes all of the afore mentioned qualities by the hand and when things get rough patience keeps pulling. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4 (KJV) Patience brings everything together unto maturity. So with Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance and Patience the believer is able to come to the next place of executing spiritual life!
f. Godliness- Eusebeia- piety, holiness. 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV) This is the place where we as children of God begin to look and act like He does! This is what Jesus brought to the world....a physical picture of who God is. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col 2:9 (KJV) When the Lord says ....Be ye holy...He is speaking of a status of being, all of the other things that we have mentioned if diligently applied to our lives will bring us to this point. This is something that the Holy Spirit releases through us. When the internal condition of our lives conform to these qualities the external evidence will be apparent. So with Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience and Godliness we will be ready for one of the toughest qualities of all.....
g. Brotherly Kindness- Philadelphia- affection. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10 (KJV) Brotherly Kindness is not just trying to be nice to someone else, but actually replacing ourselves as being important and putting someone else in that place of importance. 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:30-31 (KJV) I believe that Jesus is not asking us to love others like ourselves but as ourselves. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Phil 2:3 (KJV). Wow, so with Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness and Brotherly Kindness This kind of a believer is one that will not get in the way of the anointing within them but will do the works Jesus did! But there is one other thing yet to complete this framework.
h. Charity- Agape- unconditional love. This is the truest type of love that there is and really can only be manifested in a life that is dead to its carnal cravings! 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Cor 13:13 (KJV) For us to love like this everything that we have mentioned must in some way be working within us. Aren't we thankful that if we will cooperate with the working of the Holy Spirit within us that it will be His responsibility to produce these qualities in and through us.
Now let's look at the promise. 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. 2 Peter 1:8 (KJV) also, 10 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. 2 Peter 1:10-11 (KJV) WOW! What great promises if we allow these things to work in and through us! Many of us though may sense that this is not where I am and I really want to be!
Let's look at verse 9. 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. 2 Peter 1:9 (KJV) This is the place where we lose our way. We become misguided and instead of being fruitful we become frustrated. The reason some of us feel like giving up is because we cannot see past the end of our spiritual noses. But if we will apply ourselves to all of these wonderful spiritual qualities we will regain our sight.
Blessings!
