A.In 2Peter 1:1-11, the apostle reveals to us two vitally important categories of spiritual instruction regarding the character of a Christian.
1.One category tells us the qualities that every Christian should possess in his or her character (vv. 5-7).
2.The other category tells us why every Christian should possess these qualities.Peter provides several reasons for us to be properly motivated to pursue those characteristics described.
B.In our two lessons on the subject of Christian character as revealed in this passage, we will examine these two categories.
1.It is necessary for us to understand the meaning of the qualities listed in order to add them to our character.
2.It is also necessary to understand why these traits are necessary, for one has to be motivated to put forth the effort required to acquire them.
II.APPLYING ALL DILIGENCE
A.The word translated “diligence” in verses 5 and 10 means “eagerness” or “earnestness.”
1.The word in the original language is derived from a word meaning “speed.”Effort is implied in the word, for one does not move speedily without effort.
2.Therefore, we understand that to be diligent one must move with earnest determination.Things that are acquired or achieved by diligence will not happen by chance or without purposeful effort.
B.Because diligence is required from a Christian in order to acquire these traits, it is evident that these traits involve actions.
1.These are not abstract qualities or attitudes.These are guiding principles that manifest themselves in the actions a Christian does.
2.Notice in verse 10 that these are things that a Christian will do or practice.
C.With diligence, a Christian is to “add to” or “supply” all of the qualities listed in verses 5-7.
1.This places the responsibility upon each individual Christian to make the effort to mold himself into the character that God wants him to be.God will not force it upon him.
2.This instruction does not describe a series of steps as if a Christian should first perfect one trait before he attempts to acquire another.Rather, a Christian should constantly pursue all of these traits in order to fully develop his character in the image of Christ.
III.ADD THESE CHARACTERISTICS
A.“In your faith…” (v. 5)
1.Faith is the foundation that makes these characteristics effective for the soul.
a.There are people in the world that have some of these characteristics, but without faith this character does not make one useful or fruitful in the Lord (v. 8) nor does it provide an entrance into the kingdom of the Lord (v. 11).
b.“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6)
2.Faith was a characteristic that the original recipients of this letter had already received (v. 1).
a.The faith of a Christian is the result of hearing the word of God, believing it, and acting upon it (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11).
b.The other traits enjoined in this passage may be acquired in the same way.
B.“Moral excellence” (v. 5, NASB) or “Virtue” (v. 5, KJV)
1.Moral excellence or virtue is the quality of knowing what is right and performing it without compromise.It indicates that one has a set of good essential principles that he will not violate.
2.This is a quality that is ascribed to God in 1Peter 2:9 (“the excellencies of Him who has called you”) and 2Peter 1:3 (“Him who called us by His own glory and excellence”).
C.“Knowledge” (v. 5)
1.Knowledge can describe anything that is known, but this passage is indicating the specific knowledge pertaining to God and all spiritual things.
a.There is an emphasis on this spiritual knowledge throughout this epistle.Notice 2Peter 1:2, 3; 2:20, 21; 3:17-18.
b.One purpose of this letter was to guard its readers against false teachers.Knowledge of the truth is the only defense against falsehood.
2.Knowledge is acquired by hearing the word of God and by applying it in faithful obedience.
a.One may have great intellectual knowledge without any practical understanding.
b.Consider how Paul described his personal knowledge of Jesus in Philippians 3:7-11.
c.True knowledge manifests itself through the actions of the one who possesses it.Consider 1John 4:7-8.
D.“Self-control” (v. 6, NASB) or “Temperance” (v. 6, KJV)
1.Every mature person of sound mind has control over himself, but self-control or temperance in this passage indicates behavior that is constrained and compelled by virtuous principles.
a.This involves not only the avoidance of sin, but also the performance of that which is good.
b.Such behavior requires the knowledge of what is good and the discipline to perform it.
2.Self-control requires mastery of both the mind and the body, for the body does that which the mind guides it to do.Consider Philippians 4:8-9.
E.“Perseverance” (v. 6, NASB) or “Patience” (v. 6, KJV)
1.Perseverance is the endurance of a Christian against everything that opposes and discourages his faith.It is spiritual fortitude in the midst of persecutions, trials, and temptations.
2.The necessity of perseverance in a Christian’s character indicates that it is difficult to be faithful.
a.One does not need perseverance when life is pleasant and easy.
b.Paul warned Timothy, “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2Tim. 3:12).Likewise, Peter (1Pet. 3:14-17; 4:12-19) and the Lord Himself (Matt. 5:10-12) taught that the righteous will be persecuted.Therefore, perseverance is essential to a Christian’s character.
F.“Godliness” (v. 6)
1.Godliness is simply God-likeness.It is to imitate the character of God Himself.
a.God is holy, and His children should be also.He demanded holiness of His people in Israel, and now He expects holiness of His people in the church (1Pet. 1:14-16; 2:9).
b.Godly people have their minds set upon the things of God.His priorities are their priorities.Consider Matthew 16:23; Colossians 3:1-4.
2.To be godly, one must have knowledge of God’s character.
a.This first requires knowledge of God’s word in order to know who God is.
b.It also requires a personal knowledge of God through experience.“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).We prove His will through personal experience of doing His will.
G.“Brotherly kindness” (v. 7)
1.This term is from the Greek word philadelphos, which literally means “love of one’s brethren.”
a.This indicates kindness or affection that is felt toward fellow Christians.
b.It also indicates the intimate family-like relationship that Christians are to have with one another.
2.Brotherly kindness or brotherly love is really an extension of one’s love for God Himself.Consider 1John 3:13-18; 4:7-21.One cannot love God if he does not love his brethren.
H.“Love” (v. 7, NASB) or “Charity” (v. 7, KJV)
1.This is the Greek word agape, which is the active, goodwill type of love.
a.This type of love seeks the best for others by taking action for their benefit.
b.This is the type of love described in 1Corinthians 13.It is the essential quality of a Christian’s character that gives meaning to all that a Christian does.
2.This kind of love is commanded, and it can be learned.
a.When we think of love only as an emotion, then it becomes something that we cannot control or provoke.
b.However, Christ commanded His disciples to love one another, and He gave Himself as the example of how to love (John 15:12-13).This love is something that we do, not something that we feel.
IV.TO BE CONTINUED
A.This gives us an understanding of the characteristics that every Christian needs to add to his character.
B.In the next lesson, we will consider the reasons why we should seek to have such character.
