Increasing Quality

Last time, we talked about the truths of our salvation and the fact that everything about our salvation is because of Jesus Christ. In today’s study, we’ll see some of the necessary traits that are to be part of the believer’s lifestyle, or quality of life, if you will. Some mistakenly think that if they are not 100% in all these areas, they simply need to work harder, so as to retain their salvation. That is not taught in the Bible. In fact, the whole idea of a person who is genuinely saved being able to lose their salvation unless they do certain things, is actually a heresy. It comes from individuals that teach that something else is required to complete our salvation.

This can be a teaching that causes many people to stumble in their spiritual lives. It can happen because of a legalistic, works-focused lifestyle, that has a great deal of emphasis on putting unnecessary guilt upon people. It can happen if a person feels like their bad works or sinful lifestyle has to be countered by an extreme amount of a good lifestyle that somehow can make them acceptable enough to be forgiven. This, of course, flies totally in the face of God’s mercy and grace.

Then there is a more well-known idea that is taught which suggests that salvation takes as much effort on our parts as it does God. This is also contrary to God’s sovereign choice in providing salvation. It also ignores the teaching from the Bible that Jesus paid the price for all sins of those who believe—past, present, and future.

There are other reasons, that sometimes cause people to fall into the trap of doubting their salvation, but have no Scriptural basis. Some teach that if you don’t remember the exact day and time of your salvation, then you must not have been saved. Sadly, I know of individuals who can quote a date and time of supposedly making that decision; however, their lifestyle shows absolutely no evidence of someone who has been born again. This will be obvious, based upon the teachings of the Bible. Then, there is our own personal condemnation, as we become frustrated with our day-to-day failings. We sometimes question how we can be saved while still struggling with sin. Or maybe we might just feel as though we’re left standing alone, as we experience struggles and trials and don’t seem to see God working on our behalf.

Another area of struggle is the laziness of some Christians, who actually don’t spend time studying the Bible so that they know how to live. As a result, the Holy Spirit is not listened to by that believer since they haven’t been in proper relationship with Christ. Then it can lead to the point where a person actually goes beyond laziness and begins a path of intentionally living for the things of this world, completely neglecting God. This is even seen in 1 Corinthians.

You may be wondering what all this has to do with this section of Peter’s letter. I believe that this section helps to provide assurance of our salvation of which Peter began the letter. In addition, it seems that Peter describes this so that his readers, knowing the security of their salvation, would be able to recognize false teachers and not be tempted to doubt who they were in Christ. In addition, we can see this by the growth we should be experiencing and others can see by how we live our lives.

The Christian life will be seen by our growth and how we live and serve.

Salvation Is Seen In Strengthening. - 1:5-7

If we rejoice only in the fact that we’re saved, but then do nothing to grow in a life of godliness, it is questionable as to whether we are truly saved. There must be growing, or strengthening, in our walk with the Lord.

2 Peter 1:5–7 NASB95

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

When we planted 3 rose bushes a few years ago, we had great excitement for the beauty and the smell we would soon experience that summer. We were not disappointed. However, the following Spring, we were saddened to see that only one of the three rose bushes was showing any green. Why were we disappointed? Simply because we had planted something alive, so we expected even greater things this year. However, since two of the plants were dead, we would not see any growth.

It’s very similar to the Christian walk. The difference being that if one is genuinely saved, then we will see growth, since there is life. However, it doesn’t happen automatically. We must work alongside God working in us as we apply the Word to our lives in every area. Thus, Peter stating that we apply[ing] all diligence. One of the clearest phrases in the New Testament about the cooperative work required in our growth is found in Philippians.

Philippians 2:12–13 NASB95

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Let’s take some time and look at seven different areas which are seen in strengthening or growth in one who is saved. These traits are also not to be thought of as adding one to another after one area is completed. They are all qualities that work together with all the others. The KJV and NIV uses the word add, while the NASB uses the word supply. When the word is translated it means to supply generously.

The first area is moral excellence or virtue or goodness, depending on your translation. Very simply, it means excellence. The picture that was often tied in with this is whatever normally is supposed to happen, does just that. For example, a farmer planting seeds on soil and reaping a harvest; the land would be considered excellent. In other words, it was doing exactly what it was supposed to do. The same is with a Christian. Those traits and qualities should be seen in us because we have Christ in us. Anything else would be a complete contradiction.

If this is happening, then it makes sense that we would continue to be strengthened in our knowledge. This word is not the same as found earlier. Instead, the idea is pragmatic or practical knowledge, the ability to discern right choices. Some would say that it would be an extra dose of common sense.

Next we find the word self-control. When we think of the things we are able to do, yet for the sake of someone else, we choose not to do it, we are exercising self-control. This refers primarily to how we deal with the good things of life in which we find pleasure, rather than pain. That is based on the practical knowledge that we continually are developing, based on the reality that we are practicing moral excellence, which ultimately is because we are saved; born-again by means of Jesus Christ.

Perseverance is another one of the traits which should be continually strengthened in our growing to be more and more like Jesus Christ. Some other translations use the word steadfastness, patient endurance. The idea is that when life throws all kinds of difficult situations, we are able to endure. This refers more to the idea of pressures that weigh on us or the problems that beset us. It has been stated that if did not have difficult times, we would never truly learn perseverance or patience.

As we look at the next area of godliness, we might think we understand what that means; God-likeness. However, the Greek word in its original context means to worship well. This can only happen when a person is in right relationship with God, which means he will be in right relationship with brothers and sisters. This describes a person who does not get caught up in nit-picky things of life. What might control someone else, this person will not allow that to control him, because he wants God to have complete control. His mindset is focused on doing what God wants him to do. Wiersbe says it best: He does what is right because it is right and because it is the will of God.

Brotherly kindness, mutual affection, brotherly affection is listed next. This is genuine love for our brothers and sisters. In fact, the Bible reminds us that this is how the world knows that we are saved.

1 John 5:1–2 NASB95

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.

However, we cannot even attempt this unless we practice the last trait, love. The previous area used the Greek word philadelphia. This love is seen in the Greek word agape. This takes us to the level where we are able to love others even with disagreements and differences.

All of these areas can only be strengthened by means of the Holy Spirit. Yet, as I said earlier, we must make every effort in growing in these areas. And I need to remind us that it all looks a bit differently with every Christian, for we are all unique. God is not trying to produce cookie cutter images or clones. He made us all unique and special, and as we grow in Christ, we still live out our Christian faith uniquely, all the while for His glory.

Salvation Is Seen In Service. - 1:8-9

As our salvation is strengthened as seen in the previous list of characteristics, it will become quite obvious as our salvation is seen in our service for our Lord.

2 Peter 1:8–9 NASB95

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

It’s interesting how Peter paints a picture of what we’re not. Becoming more like Jesus in our character render you neither useless nor unfruitful. Actually, the opposite is true. The more you and I are like Jesus, the less we think of doing things for ourselves and the more we look for ways to serve others for God’s glory. It seems that the Christian who is striving to become more and more like Jesus, living a life of faithful obedience, is the one who is producing amazing fruit for the Kingdom of God.

However, if a person is not pursuing Christ-likeness, Peter suggests that person is blind or short-sighted. It’s like those individuals who hold fast to their denominational or church qualities that make them stand out, suggesting that others who don’t think exactly like them in all things are missing out or are lesser quality, spiritually. I saw this first hand as we were preparing with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for a crusade in the Buffalo, NY, area. There were several churches that seemed doctrinally correct, but refused to have anything to do with this crusade. Their reason was that they would not be part of anything that involved other churches that differed from them in practice, or Bible translation, or mode of baptism, etc. How sad!

Phillips Brooks was asked what he would do to revive a dead church, and he replied, “I would preach a missionary sermon and take up a collection.” We came into a church as an interim pastor to help them to avoid a split. There was plenty of heat and animosity and self-righteousness on both sides of the spectrum. I resolved to preach the Word and to love the people, which has been my ministry philosophy for many years. God chose to bring a young couple to our church and she suddenly became terribly sick as she was pregnant with their first born. The Lord enabled us to rally around a bunch of families that would help out in this situation. Suddenly, the earlier conflict somehow disappeared for the most part. Instead of splitting, the church began to grow. That’s not to suggest there weren’t more challenges, because there were people in the church. But when the church family began to realize how precious their salvation was and that the focus needed to be adjusted to where God wanted it, then Jesus was able to be seen once again.

Salvation Is Seen In Certainty. - 1:10-11

So as we are being strengthened in our salvation with the various Christ-like qualities, we are free to let our salvation be seen in our service. Now, we come to the part which deals with our security and certainty of salvation.

2 Peter 1:10–11 NASB95

Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Looking back at the last verse, we ought to be wide-eyed as we look to our future. Simply saying that we are saved, does not make it so. The reality is that when you and I are increasing in the previously described characteristics, we find that we are genuinely able to do so because we belong to Christ. Plus, His Holy Spirit enables and empowers us to do so in cooperation with us. When we recognize that, we can know for certain that we are children of God. We have that assurance all the more clearly.

Regarding an individual’s salvation, it is interesting to note that Peter combines His calling and choosing you. Again, Warren Wiersbe helps to clarify by saying: We do not preach election to unsaved people; we preach the gospel. But God uses that gospel to call sinners to repentance, and then those sinners discover that they were chosen by God! For those who might suggest that this is manmade thinking and not Scripture, please reread 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.

2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 NASB95

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In all of this, Peter repeats the need for believers to be all the more diligent. Obviously, we cannot do this unless God has already worked in our lives for salvation. Then we remember that He has provided everything we possibly need for our salvation and for our growth. But we can’t sit back lazily and just assume that we will automatically become more like Jesus. We have to do our part. No, this is not works salvation. Salvation, if it has already occurred, does not require any work by us. Yet, to grow and develop and become more Christ-like, as seen in the earlier traits, we must be busy working alongside God’s Holy Spirit in our development. This can be seen in Philippians.

Philippians 2:12–13 NASB95

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

You can readily see the cooperative working with the saint and the Savior. As a result, we will see verse 11 taking place. There are various ways of wording, depending on the translations; entrance (into the eternal kingdom) . . . abundantly supplied to you, grand entrance, rich welcome, richly provided, supplied to you abundantly. All of those were understood in the context of a homecoming welcome that was given to Olympic winners after the games when they arrived in their home towns. It might be likened to when soldiers arrived home after WWII; the astronauts after walking on the moon; victorious sports teams when they arrived back in their home community. This is what awaits those who are practicing these things.

I love the word which describes abundantly supplied. It is a Greek word meaning to bear the expenses of a chorus. It is like a special underwriter to a huge production who covered all the costs for everything; staging, make-up, orchestration, costumes, rental of theaters, actors fees, props, stage crew, etc. Later on in Greek history, the word came to be understood as to make lavish provision. Once again, we see God lavishly pouring out His blessings on His children.

Summary

As stated earlier, to claim to be a Christian, yet having no growth or any evidence or likeness to Christ, does not at all make one a Christian. The Christian life will be seen by our growth and how we live and serve.

Genuine saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, must lead to spiritual growth and strengthening. And spiritual growth is seen by observers by our service for God and for others. It is even recognized by us, giving us assurance that we do indeed belong to Jesus Christ. We have certainty in our salvation and we look forward with great expectation and excitement at the culmination of our salvation by being in the very presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.