January 2010 - English

... through these [promises] you may be partakers of the divine nature … for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Peter 1:4-7)

Peter makes clear in these verses that the Christian faith is a robust faith. Someone who has come to faith in Christ, now has the ability to develop strong Christ-like characteristics. In fact, not just the ability to develop in this way, but the responsibility to do so! Peter makes clear in the next few verses, that not to do so would be foolish.

He expects us to know about the extent and power of this salvation, to learn how to exercise self-control and at the same time to persevere in difficult situations. The last part of the list relates to holiness and love, one for another. What a wonderful list of characteristics, and these suggested by a man who had once been a rough fisherman!

Peter is writing knowing that his time on earth will shortly draw to a close and he is concerned to leave clear instructions to the believers. He continues his discourse by explaining that those that demonstrate these characteristics will find it easy to enter into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, because He values these things.

How have you developed these things in the last year and is there more work to do in your life? Commit your ways to the Lord this coming year and co-operate with Him as He seeks to strength -en these characteristics in you.