Confirm your calling and election

Recap

Background

2 Peter was written to the same collection of Churches in Asia Minor (Modern Day Turkey), from the same place in Rome where Peter called Babylonia. Peter became aware of his time drawing to an end, so this book was his fair well challenge to the church that Jesus’s people never stop growing, the book is then broken into two parts the first a warning to about a corrupt of teachers both by their lifestyle and their theology.

The counter to the teaching

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: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 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, 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. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being i…”

God’s invitation to become participants of the Divine Nature or God’s own life (eternal) and love

The 7 traits of his final challange

Faith (pisis) - The foundational element of the Christian life, representing Trust and belief in God

Virtue (arete) - Often translated as moral excellence or goodness, this term implies active quality of living out one’s faith trough moral actions.

Knowledge (gnosis) - Again, this involves understanding, discernment, insight into God’s truths.

Self-Control (egkrateia) - This term refers to mastery over one’s desires and impulses, a critical aspect of personal discpline.

Perseverance (hypomone) - Often translated as endurance or steadfastness, it’s about maintaining faith and integrity amidst trials.

Godliness (eusebeia) - This refers to piety and reverence towards God, emphasizing living a life that reflects His character.

Brotherly Kindness (Philadelphia) - Referring to the love and care shared within the community of believers.

Culminating into Love (agape) - The highest form of love, characterized by selflessness and unconditional care for others.

The significance here is the structured progression toward “agape” suggesting that true spiritual maturity culminates in this selfless love. The sequence illustrates how a life of faith is comprehensive, involving an interplay of inner transformations and outer expression from those transformations.

When we have brotherly love, we love because of our likenesses to others; but with agape love, we love in spite of the differences we have.

Warren W. Wiersbe