Building on from my last post……
2 Peter 1:3 ~ 7 (AMP) ~ Character qualities to develop in life.
3 For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through [a]true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. 5For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), 6And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), 7And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.
We can easily over look this verse and forget to dig a little deeper, for within verse 7 are two key words that if we truly understand them and pursue them it will dynamically change our christian walk.. First of all, brotherly affection and then the ultimate word love, let’s look at both, and I have used Strong’s words.
Brotherly affection in the biblical sense is an extension of the natural affection associated with near kin, toward the greater community of fellow believers, that goes beyond the mere duty in Leviticus 19:18 to “love thy neighbour as thyself”, and shows itself as “unfeigned love” from a “pure heart”, that extends an unconditional hand of friendship that loves when not loved back, that gives without getting, and ever looks for what is best in others.
Agape (Ancient Greek ἀγάπη, agapē) is a Greco-Christian term referring to love, “the highest form of love, charity” and “the love of God for man and of man for God”.
Now let’s look at verse 8 ~ the result of developing and living life changing characteristics.
8 For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Seven key character qualities to develop in life from 2 Peter 1: 3-7
“So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce…..
A life of moral excellence ~ (Living by Gods principles = favour) leads to
Knowing God better ~ (Our loving Father in Heaven) leads to
Self-control ~ (Self-management) leads to
Patient endurance ~ (Peace) leads to
Godliness leads to ~ Love for other Christians leads to
Genuine love for all ~ AGAPE Love (What would the world see and do then?)
Questions for you to reflect upon:
How do you demonstrate self-control, patience and a genuine love for all each and every day?
What’s in your spiritual toolbox?
What does it mean to you as a believer that Christ has given you everything required for life and godliness?
What can you do today to improve on both brotherly affection and love?
What areas or relationships need attendion?
Removing Barriers Releasing Potential 