2 Peter 1:5-11 The Progression

Peter gives us a progression for spiritual growth, and my commentary said the parts should not be considered “beads on a chain to be collected”.  “The word translated add really means to supply generously or to make lavish provision, it said.  We don’t just work at it until we think we have it.

Our spiritual life starts with faith in Christ – belief in what He did for us on the cross.  His sacrifice should cause us to make lavish provision for moral excellence – the Greek word used means “the fulfillment of a thing’s purpose.”  As we discover our purpose in Christ, we will then want to make lavish provision for gaining knowledge of God and Christ.  This helps us to handle life successfully and in the manner that they would have us handle it.  That knowledge develops as we obey God’s will and begin to see things from God’s perspective.

As we gain His perspective on things, we’ll then want to make lavish provision to develop self-control.  For instance, seeing God at work in every circumstance, we’d become slow to anger, knowing that God is growing us and knowing that it’s not simply another human punching our buttons.

That growth comes through enduring difficult circumstances and witnessing His faithfulness despite them – even expecting such circumstances.  Here, we make lavish provision for patience as we begin to expect the unexpected, seeing God at work, growing us spiritually.

This expectation and patience, seeing things from God’s perspective and not man’s, develops Godliness in us.  We need to make lavish provision for it – “living above the petty things of life, the passions and pressures that control the lives of others,” instead “seeking the welfare of others,” my commentary explained.

By this time, we should also have been developing brotherly kindness – “unfeigned, sincere love of our fellow Christians and not just be pretending that we love them … even sacrificial love for them,” my commentary added.

God does all of this as we cooperate with Him in our spiritual growth, not simply sitting there waiting to receive these things.  Our part requires spiritual diligence and discipline in addition to cooperating with God.  He doesn’t destroy our own personalities – the image of Christ is reproduced in us to help us effectively use the way God designed us for His glory, according to my commentary.

Father, I love what I read here.  It means so much more fleshed out like this.  Keep me ever aware of my part in my own spiritual growth, and help me to see You at work in me.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford