A.      What kind of a person should a Christian be?  Faithful?  Pure?  Wise?  Restrained?  Strong?  Godly?  Kind?  Loving?  According to Peter, the answer is “all of the above.”

B.      In this second lesson of this study of 2Peter, let us notice 1:1-11.

II.      THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND OF JESUS

A.      Peter addressed this letter “to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours” (1:1).

                                                             1.      In the previous lesson, we noticed that the original recipients of this letter were probably the same as those who received Peter’s first epistle.

                                                             2.      More broadly, this letter is addressed to all who have “received a faith of the same kind as ours.”

a.       This is the faith that comes by hearing the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17), the “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), and the “most holy faith” (Jude 20).

b.       Thus, all people who share faith in Jesus Christ are instructed by this letter.

B.      By the knowledge of God and of Jesus, those who have received the faith are granted everything they need for life and godliness (1:2-3).

                                                             1.      The greeting of “grace and peace” is common in Paul’s and Peter’s epistles, but here Peter indicates that grace and peace are “multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”

                                                             2.      In addition, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

a.       Everything a Christian needs to live is found through the knowledge of God.

b.       Even the calling of God comes through this knowledge, for He calls us through the gospel (2Thess. 2:14).

C.      Included in these blessings are the promises by which Christians may share in “the divine nature” (1:4).

                                                             1.      The phrase “by these” in verse 4 refers to those things mentioned in the previous verses – the knowledge of God, His divine power, and His glory and excellence.

                                                             2.      Through the promises of God we may lay aside the corrupt nature of the world and take on a divine nature.

a.       Man is not born with a sinful nature (contrary to the false teachings of John Calvin).  Rather, man learns sin as a second nature through the world (1John 2:16; Eph. 2:3).

b.       Through the gospel, we may escape the corruption learned from the world and partake of the divine nature by obtaining God’s forgiveness and becoming more like Christ.

III.   PRACTICE THESE THINGS

A.      Because we seek to partake of the divine nature, we must work to add Christ-like qualities to the faith we have received (1:5a).

                                                             1.      Partaking of the divine nature does not happen passively, but rather it happens by our diligent, active pursuit of Christ-like qualities.  This is what Peter enjoins in verses 5-7.

                                                             2.      The word “supply” in the NASB and ASV (“add to” in KJV) indicates that it is each Christian’s responsibility to acquire these qualities.

                                                             3.      Also notice that these qualities are not sequential, that is, it is not necessary to acquire one before acquiring the next.  Instead, they are all extensions of one another and equally important as Christ-like characteristics.  They should all be pursued constantly.

B.      Consider the necessary qualities of a Christian’s character (1:5b-7).

                                                             1.      Of course, it begins with faith, which is received via the knowledge of God’s gospel as previously noted.  Faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).

                                                             2.      Moral excellence (virtue, KJV) is both knowing what is right from what is wrong and consistently performing what is right.

                                                             3.      Knowledge is information known.  The value of the knowledge of the gospel is apparent from what has already been stated in verses 2-3, but we are admonished to continue building upon our knowledge in our pursuit of the divine nature.

                                                             4.      Self-control includes not only self-restraint from doing what is wrong but also self-motivation for doing what is right.

                                                             5.      Perseverance is patience, endurance, fortitude, and steadfastness.  It is the characteristic of a person who cannot be moved from his convictions regardless of persecution, temptation, ridicule, rejection, etc., but instead he patiently endures for the sake of his beliefs.

                                                             6.      Godliness is piety and holiness.  It includes behavior that is imitative of God and reverence toward God.

                                                             7.      Brotherly kindness is translated from the Greek word philadelphia, and it indicates a kindly affection that Christians have toward one another.

                                                             8.      There are various meanings of the English word “love”, but the love in verse 7 is from the Greek word agape, which is an active, goodwill love toward others.  Such love is expressed through actions rather than words or mere emotion.

C.      Also consider both the benefits of having these qualities and the detriments of lacking them (1:8-9).

                                                             1.      Possessing an increasing measure of these qualities allows a Christian to make use of and bear fruit with the “true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

a.       To do so, one must have these qualities and be growing in them (remember the theme of 3:18 – “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”).

b.       This indicates that the true benefit of the knowledge of Christ is to make one useful and fruitful for Christ.  Knowledge is not a matter of mere academics.

                                                             2.      Lacking these qualities is a sign of blindness, short-sightedness, and forgetfulness.

a.       Blindness and short-sightedness indicate a lack of understanding.  This means that such a Christian does not see the true meaning of his faith.

b.       Notice that verse 9 says a Christian who lacks these things has “forgotten his purification from his former sins.”

i.         Christians are purified from sins as a first step in becoming more like God.

ii.        If a Christian does not proceed to the next steps of growth, then he has forgotten why he was purified.

D.      By practicing these things, we can ensure our place in God’s kingdom (1:10-11).

                                                             1.      The messages of verse 10 are crucial to our understanding of the meaning of these qualities.

a.       The qualities of faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love affect God’s calling and choosing of persons.  These qualities are conditions of God’s election (contrary to the false teachings of John Calvin).

b.       We must work (be diligent) to acquire these qualities.  They will not come passively.

c.        Notice that it says, “For as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.”

i.         These qualities are not abstract traits, but rather they are manifested in actions.  These are things that we do and not things that we have.

ii.        To “never stumble” is a major goal of Peter’s letter, for the false teachings of the world present many stumbling blocks to Christians.

d.       By this verse, it is understood that:

i.         Without these qualities, our calling and election are in danger;

ii.        Without diligence, we will not achieve an increasing measure of these qualities;

iii.      Without practicing these qualities, we are in danger of stumbling, i.e., sinning, falling away, and being lost.

                                                             2.      Verse 11 tells us that if we diligently supply to ourselves these qualities in our faith, then God will abundantly supply to us “the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      This admonition to build strong character is the beginning of Peter’s letter of warning against false teachers.  These qualities of Christian character will help us to succeed in this battle.

B.      In our next lesson, we will consider 2Peter 1:12-21 – “Remember These Things.”