God’s Prescription for Our Sanctification Part 2

Introduction The Apostle Peter addresses his second epistle to a group of people that he identifies as sharing with him a “like precious faith,” or in our own phraseology, a faith of equal standing. He then goes on to express his wish for them as a wish for complete sanctification. Sanctification, as much as Justification, is a part of the divine bestowal of spiritual life. And just as God made full provision for our Justification through the righteousness of Christ, so too He has made full provision for our Sanctification. Now, the Holy Spirit switches focus from what God has provided for us to what God expects from us. Think of it as though God is our great Physician (which He literally is). When a doctor operates on you, there are inevitably follow-up procedures that he demands from you—whether it be to take certain medications, to do certain exercises, or both. So God, having faithfully and abundantly provided for our Justification and Sanctification now gives us a prescription of our part in this process. Our part is to add such things as God has enabled us to add to the equation:

I. Adding Temperance (2 Pet. 1:6a)

A. What it builds upon—Knowledge (2 Pet. 1:5b)

1. We are talking here about beginning the superstructure of Christlike character. We have discussed the foundation. The foundation of our Christian character was divided by Peter into three components: Faith, Virtue, and Knowledge.

2. Once we have laid a proper foundation, we are called upon to begin the superstructure. The superstructure of any building is the part above ground—i.e. the part of the building that people can see most easily. The first element of that superstructure is Temperance.

B. What it means

1. Its essence in Greek Philosophy – Self-control (i.e. an inner power to control one’s own desires and cravings)

2. Its meaning in our passage – a God-empowered mastery of my internal desires

3. Its meaning in our lives – Disorder must become Order

Definition: Order means something is properly arranged – i.e. ranked by degree of quality or importance (Isaiah 14:12-14)

II. Adding Patience (2 Pet. 1:6b)

A. What it builds upon—Temperance (2 Pet. 1:6a)

1. A superstructure is more than just walls (i.e. temperance). A solid building also requires a roof to protect it from the outer elements.

2. We are now commanded to add to our walls of temperance (or control over our inward desires), the roof that will protect us from the elements around us (i.e. Patience)

B. What it means

1. Its essence in Greek Culture – a courageous endurance that fully defies evil, meaning it is active rather than simply passive.

2. Its meaning in our passage – a God-sustained faithfulness under external pressure (Heb. 11:27, 33-38)

3. It’s meaning in our lives – A desire for ease must be replaced by a willingness to remain under difficult circumstances: in a word, we must develop endurance (Job 42:1-5)

III. Adding Godliness (2 Pet. 1:6c)

A. What it builds upon—Patience (2 Pet. 1:6b)

1. We are still talking here about the superstructure of Christlike character. However, a building’s walls and roof do more than just protect the inhabitants from the outside elements. They also say something about the architect. The outside of a building can be more than functional. It can also be beautiful.

2. We are now commanded to add to our superstructure an element that not only protects, but also one that adorns (i.e. Godliness; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 1 Pet. 3:2-4)

B. What it means

1. Its essence in Greek Culture – The primary word used for “religion.”

2. Its meaning in our passage – a God-honoring devotion to Jesus Christ that promotes righteousness and opposes evil.

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