Final Instructions

1 & 2 Peter: Faithful Endurance
2 Peter 1:1-15
03/23/2025

Introduction

Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture, knew it was his final chance to instill wisdom in his students at Carnegie Mellon University and his children. Similarly, in 2 Peter, the apostle Peter writes his final instructions to the church, knowing that his time is short.

Scripture Reading

2 Peter 1:12-15 – "Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things."

Main Idea:

Spiritual maturity develops at the intersection of grace and grit.

I. God Gives Us Everything We Need for Godly Living

Like preparing for a trip or cooking a meal, we don’t want to get started only to realize we are missing something essential. The good news is, God has already provided everything we need to live a godly life.

2 Peter 1:3-4 – "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."

Key Points:

• Righteous living has a divine engine—we are powered by God.

• Peter makes it clear: we already have everything we need in Christ for life and godliness.

• All the ingredients for a victorious Christian life are present; our role is to implement them.

• God empowers us, but He also calls us to put forth effort.

• Michael Green: "The grace of God demands, as it enables, effort in man. We are to bring into this relationship alongside what God has done every ounce of determination we can muster."

• This is the intersection of grace and grit—God provides, but we must participate.

• Peter reminds us that we have a new nature in Christ. As Green notes, "Participation in the divine nature is the starting-point, not the goal, of Christian living."

Reflection: Is the power of God and your new nature evident in your life?

II. A Checklist for Spiritual Maturity

Many of us love lists—they help us stay on track. Peter provides us with a checklist of virtues necessary for spiritual growth.

2 Peter 1:5-8 – "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 ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Eight Virtues for Spiritual Growth:

1. Faith – Belief and trust in the gospel (pistis).

2. Virtue – Excellence of character.

3. Knowledge – Understanding and wisdom (ginosko).

4. Self-Control – Mastering our desires and passions. Green: "This is to be exercised not only in food and drink, but in every aspect of life. It means controlling the passions instead of being controlled by them."

5. Steadfastness – Perseverance and resolve (hupomonē).

6. Godliness – A life marked by reverence for God.

7. Brotherly Affection – Love and care for fellow believers. 1 John 4:20 – "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."

8. Love (Agape) – The highest form of love, reflecting God’s love for us. Green: "This word agapē is one which Christians to all intents and purposes coined, to denote the attitude which God has shown himself to have to us, and requires from us towards himself."

Other Biblical Lists of Virtues:

• Romans 5:3-5 – "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

• Galatians 5:22-23 – "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Key Takeaway:

• If these qualities are increasing in our lives, we will be effective and fruitful.

• Which of these virtues do you need to grow in the most? God has given you what you need (grace)—now it’s time to do your part (grit).

III. Practice Makes Permanent

The saying goes, "Practice makes perfect," but a better version is "Practice makes permanent." The goal isn’t perfection, but consistent growth.

2 Peter 1:9-11 – "For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Key Points:

• Clear vision starts with remembering the forgiveness and cleansing we have received in Christ.

• When we forget what Christ has done for us, we lose sight of our calling.

• Yes, the list of virtues can seem daunting, but remember: you are a new creation in Christ.

• Our calling is not just to believe but to live out these virtues.

• God has selected you, called you, and equipped you to grow.

• If we practice these qualities, we will never fall.

• Faithfulness leads to a rich welcome into God’s eternal kingdom.

Conclusion: A Call to Grow

Will you be faithful to put forth the effort needed to grow in spiritual maturity?

• The list of virtues begins with faith—it is by faith that we are saved and by faith that we please God.

• Be faithful. Be gritty. God is faithful and will give you the grace you need.

Speaker: Dan Krause

March 23, 2025

1 Peter 1:1-15

• Share