2 Peter 1:5-11 – 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[a] and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities[b] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,[c] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Operation Haylard is a compelling story that reminds us of a fundamental spiritual reality: to be rescued from something sets us on the path toward something.
The one who saved us is now calling us to a new way of living. Though snatched from spiritual death, we
discover that the point of salvation isn’t an arrival; it’s the beginning of an adventure. Christ rescues us then
he puts us on a path of following him.
Ephesians 4:1 NKJV 1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
• We have everything we need for success!
• We have God’s great and precious promises!
Let’s look at 2 Peter 1:5-8 . 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[a] and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities[b] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ADD TO YOUR FAITH
Add to your faith, A_____________________.
Some translations use the word, virtue. This word can be translated as “excellence.” To the Greeks, it meant “the fulfillment of something.” When we glorify the God who made us – and live in the way he intended – that’s goodness, or virtue, or excellence. Live as God intended, and have the courage not to compromise.
To goodness, B____________________. The term used here refers to practical knowledge. As a believer grows in his knowledge of God and his will, he’s applying it; she’s applying it to daily life.
To knowledge, C__________________________. Self-control is to control our passions – rather than being controlled by them. Self-control is a counter to the idea that “life just happens.” You choose to follow Jesus and then keep submitting your desires and decisions to him. It’s also translated as temperance, which includes controlling your temperament. Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) says: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
To self-control, D_____________________________. This is to voluntarily and continually endure difficulties to glorify God with your life. And to patiently endure, when you feel like quitting. We need a never-give-in, and a never-give-up, spirit!
To perseverance, E__________________________. Godliness, simply defined, is “God-likeness.” David said, “I have set the Lord always before me.” (Psalm 16:8)
To godliness, F____________________________. The word means “brotherly kindness.”
To mutual affection, G_________________. Love is a life of selfless sacrifice for the objects of our love. Love, Paul said in Colossians 3:14, that love “binds” all such virtues together “in perfect unity.” The ultimate incentive to live this way is love for God and love for one another.
We are rescued from sin and death; we have been rescued for this new life in Christ – let’s encourage each other in it!
