22 February 2 Peter 1

Christ-like qualities

2 Peter 1:5-9(NKJV) But also 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. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

In the passage, Peter encourages us to grow in spiritual maturity by building eight Christ-like qualities.

1. Faith - Faith is about trusting God and His promises, even when we can’t see the outcomes. It is a vital aspect of our relationship with God, guiding us to rely on Him and His plan for our lives.Hebrews 11:1(NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.Romans 10:17(NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

2. Virtue - Virtue or moral excellence means fulfilling what you are supposed to do, which is glorify God by your life, by becoming like Christ and following Him.Philippians 4:8(NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

3. Knowledge - We must grow deeper in our knowledge of God through Jesus. We need to always go deeper in God’s word.Proverbs 2:6(NIV) For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.Hosea 4:6a(NIV) My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.

4. Self-control - Self-control is to have power or dominion over oneself, especially regarding physical desires.

Proverbs 25:28(NIV) Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. 1 Corinthians 9:24(NIV) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1. Perseverance - Perseverance is the ability to keep doing something in spite of obstacles.Romans 5:3-4(NIV) Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.James 1:12(NIV) Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

2. Godliness - Everything we do in life should reflect our devotion to God, reflecting the nature of the Kingdom of God in the course of everyday life.1 Timothy 4:7-8(NIV) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.2 Timothy 3:12(NIV) In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

3. Kindness - It means being steadfast in love with another person, even as God has loved us with a steadfast love that never fails.

1 John 4:7(NIV) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Hebrews 13:1(NMB) Let mutual love continue.

1. Love - The definition of love is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7(NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Mark 12:30-31(NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

What is the impact of applying these qualities in our lives? The Bible is very clear about what the impact thereof will be in our lives.

2 Peter 1:8-11(MSG) With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I conclude with 2 Peter 1:9(AMP) For whoever lacks these qualities is blind—shortsighted , having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins.