God’s Prescription for Our Sanctification Part 1

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 Virtue (2 Pet. 1:5a)

A. What it builds upon—Faith (2 Pet. 1:5a)

1. We are talking here about the foundation for Christlike character. The first component, which God has provided for us is Faith. A home foundation has three general components: footings, a slab, and walls.

2. We are then commanded to add to our faith (footings) this “virtue” (slab) that Peter speaks about.

B. What it means

1. Its essence in Greek Philosophy – Excellence (i.e. fulfilling its intended purpose)

2. Its meaning in our passage – a determination to pursue Christlikeness (i.e. our intended purpose; Gen. 1:26)

II. Adding Knowledge (2 Pet. 1:5b)

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

1. We are still talking here about the foundation for Christlike character, something that we are called to display in our lives. As we build this foundation, the footings that join us to bedrock are Faith, the slab that protects the underside of our building from the surrounding elements of nature is Virtue.

2. We are now commanded to add to our virtue, the foundation walls that connect the stability of the bedrock to the superstructure of our building (i.e. Knowledge)

B. What it means

1. Its essence in Greek Culture – Knowledge (simple form of the word, meaning a practical knowledge that may be expanded)

2. Its meaning in our passage – a God-taught understanding of the person, the work, and the ways of Jesus Christ

a. It is already ours, but we must claim it (2 Pet. 1:3)

b. It contrasts with the ignorance of our unregenerate selves (1 Pet. 1:14)

c. It contrasts with the supposed knowledge of the false teachers that Peter is trying to warn them about and strengthen them against (2 Pet. 2 and 3)

Conclusion: I ask you unashamedly here today, if we could look into your heart right now, would we see a determination to pursue Christlikeness? Would we see a determination that is focused on obtaining a God-taught understanding of the person, the work, and the ways of Jesus Christ? If we could, we would also find time in your outward life—time spent in the Scriptures, time spent in a quiet place, apart, meditating on God and his excellence. So be honest, if you want to answer yes, I am determined to pursue Christlikeness; yes, I want to have a God-taught understanding of the person, the work, and the ways of Jesus Christ. Then are you spending adequate time in the Scriptures? Do you have some time set aside from the hustle and bustle of life, with its ubiquitous, distracting, electronic gadgets, to concentrate on God and His excellence?