Apr. 12, 2023

In this study, we look at the opening to 2 Peter, an amazing teaching on Christian living as sharing in God's very nature. The passage is 2 Peter 1:1-11.

LIVING THE CHRISTLIFE

WAYNE BARRETT

HILLTOP LAKES CHAPEL

APRIL 11, 2023

2 Peter 1:1-11

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with

ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the

knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

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, 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. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement

your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with

steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection

with love. 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. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind,

having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to

confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there

will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—2

Peter 1:1-11

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v 1 – “of equal standing” – isotimos, isos + timé, of equal honor, respect

“by the righteousness” – actually in, or within – en— the righteousness

a righteousness that is ours because we are in Christ

v 3 – “His [God’s] divine power has granted to us…”

Our salvation and sanctification is something God is doing for us

“all things” – We have been give everything that we need in order to live for Christ

“through the knowledge”—more than “book knowledge”

who called us to his own glory and excellence

“his own” – ídios, uniquely one’s own

v 4 – “through which [his own glory and excellence] he has granted…

his precious and magnificent promises

This is key—in fact, this section of Scripture could be looked at as a teaching regarding the power in the

promises of God

We are to be enlivened by a joyful belief in the promises of God—without this we will may treat

Christian living as dutiful drudgery

God’s very call on our lives contain promises, and His promises form the backdrop to our living,

guidance for our days, and the hope for all that is to come.

“so that through them…”

Through the promises of God (!) we may become partakers of the divine nature

“partakers” – koinōnós—participant

“nature” – phýsis, as in physiology

participants in the divine physiology

“having escaped…”

This is the necessary pathway for becoming “partakers of the divine nature”

We must escape the world’s corruption

Any study on the promises of God that does not include a departure from corrupted living is a distorted

and unreliable teaching

v 5 – For this reason, make every effort…

It can only happen in the power of God, but we must make every effort

vv 5 – 7 – Peter uses a chain structure to address Christian living. This is not a step-by-step plan; it is a literary

form that encourages fullness of Christian character. God’s desires to see all of this in each of us. All of these

qualities reflect the “divine nature.”

Faith, virtue [moral excellence], knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, love

v 8 – “for if these qualities are yours…”

and are increasing (!)—this is a life-long endeavor

“they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge…”

A person can have great “book knowledge” yet be ineffective and unfruitful

But if we share in the divine nature, we will be kept from being ineffective or unfruitful

v 9 – “For whoever lacks these qualities…”

Lest there be any doubt!

Correct doctrine does not make up for un-Christlike living; never has, never will.

“so nearsighted that he is blind”!

A person who does not stive for godly living has forgotten the very basics of his own salvation

v 10 – “be all the more diligent…”

This means diligent in Christian character and living—it requires work and commitment

lit. “be all the more diligent to make sure [bébaios] your calling and election.”

bébaios – to make firm, make steadfast

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now … work out your own salvation with fear

and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”—

Philippians 2:12-13

“for practicing these things never not [!] shall you stumble at any time!”

v 11 – “For in this way…”

Peter has been describing the Christian life and the eternal kingdom to which it leads

We don’t earn it, but our lives are to confirm our calling and election

It is “richly provided for you”—by God according to His grace—as is the power for Christian living, for

partaking in the divine nature.