Change Part2

Process of Change

2 Peter 1:3-11 The Right Method to Change

Change Begins with Knowing God (vs 3)

2 Peter 1:3 NLT

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Change Comes from God’s Promises (vs 4)

2 Peter 1:4 NLT

4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Change requires Effort (vs 5a)

2 Peter 1:5 NLT

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,

Your efforts don’t save you. Your efforts are a byproduct of your salvation James 2:17 “ Faith without deeds is dead” The NASB uses the phrase “All Diligence”

This word means earnestness; diligence – to focus all your interest and diligence toward something.

“Pray as if everything depends upon God and work like everything depends upon you” – Mark Batterson

The Building Blocks of Change (5-7)

Faith

Faith in God of which Jesus Christ is the author. True change in our life always starts with coming to faith in Christ.

Moral Excellence

This Phrase is defined as “Virtuous in thought, feeling and action.” Vs 3 – In verse 3 the same word is used when it says “by means of his marvelous glory and EXCELLENCE” God is the one who set the standard of moral excellence and virtues flow out of him.

Knowledge

Moral wisdom, such as seen in right living.

Present and fragmentary knowledge as contrasted with epígnōsis (1922), clear and exact knowledge which expresses a more thorough participation in the object or knowledge on the part of the knowledgeable subject. The psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning (often with focus on application of the knowledge)

Self-Control

“The virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites.”

Patient Endurance

“Cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy under waiting or suffering in faith and duty.”

Godliness

“reverence, respect; piety towards God.”

Brotherly Affection

“The Love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren.”

Love

Love, affectionate regard, goodwill, benevolence. With reference to God’s love, it is God’s willful direction toward man. It involves God doing what He knows is best for man and not necessarily what man desires. Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

We Can Live a Productive Life (VS 8)

Don’t Be Short Sighted (Vs 9)

The reason we make mistakes in life is because

(1) we don’t realize that we have everything we need to live a godly life that overcomes sin and builds the kingdom.

(2) we don’t practice every one of these qualities and we aren’t growing in them.

We Can Walk in Victory (vs 10)

“Do these things and you will NEVER FALL AWAY.” The phrase “fall away” to trip (figuratively); to err, sin, or fail,