Just a few thoughts from Peter’s life, in his second letter to the Christians in Turkey (Galatia, Bihthynia and so ):
2Pe 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
2Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
2Pe 1:6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
2Pe 1:7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2Pe 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let me just focus on a few phrases in the above passage.
1. Divine Power: In order to live in this world, we do need divine power -- we need God’s mercy, God’s wisdom, God’s grace, and we also can agree that the world around us is deteriorating -- it is falling and collapsing - we don’t need to have a long discussion on the trends in the world today. And what does God provide us? He has provided us very precious promises. That is, we can cling to the promises God gives us and as a RESULT of those promises, we can start experiencing God’s divine nature -- in other words, our own internal reactions and patterns will change.
2. Partake of his divine nature:
We often say, “Oh, but I”m just human. This is human nature”
Peter says, “NO -- not really -- my nature is changing, I’m reflecting more and more of Jesus. I used to sleep till 9 in the morning, now I get up by 7 am. And two years later. I get up at 6 am and I read the Bible, I pray. I have more discipline”. Yes, it takes time -- but over time, the genuine christian grows in discipline. The number of excuses and justification and rationalization reduces, the responsibility level goes up. That’s the I partaking of the divine nature -- this is Supernatural -- you cannot work it up, you cannot fake it.
3. Make every effort -- diligence
For some reason, from the very time God Created the Earth, He always has invited men and women to work alongside him.
Many times we assume that God has to do things in our lives, in our nature, because we don’t realize that Christian life is a partnership -- we have our roles and responsibilities in becoming more like Jesus.
Take just one example from the book of Genesis, before the Fall of Man -- Adam had to name all the animals. But God created all the animals.
Why does he need Adam to name them?
God gave the man and woman the garden, but they had to keep it and tend to it.
Why is that? Could not angels do it? Why do things need to be worked on and maintained?
God gave the man everything at his feet, but man had the option to do anything in the garden except eat fro the tree of the knowledge of good and evil -- so all the time, God gives us options -- he doesn’t force us to obey him. This was true of Adam, this was true of Moses and Abraham and David and everyone from the start --
***This is why the role of effort and diligence are in our hands.**
Christian life is not fully automatic! There are gears, just as you have gears in your car. You can stay parked, you can stay in 1st gear, or you can keep shifting the gears up or down -- this is the cooperation you give to the Word of God, the bible, the Holy Spirit, your pastor, other believers and so on -
Disciples MAKE EVERY EFFORT
Faith --> Virtue --> Knowledge -->
Self Control --> Steadfastness --> Godliness
--> Brotherly affection --> Love
It is obvious that there is progress as we walk in the path of discipleship that we will eventually reach the summit of the Mount Everest -- that is genuine Christian Love.
Note :- From the Sermon notes - series on Discipleship by Dr. Anil Jacob for Crossway.
Stanley Thomas Isac Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at stanleytisac@gmail.com
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