Scripture: II Peter 1:1-3

C.I.: “Becoming Partakers of the Divine Nature”

Today we are beginning a new series on Christian Morality. – Morality = “The Quality of being virtuous.”

I. Applying the Virtues of the Divine Nature (II Peter 1:3-11)

A. The Divine Nature (v. 4)

1. It is in knowing what God has granted us - that we can become what God desires of us.
a. “Granted” in v. 3 = “life & godliness”; - in v. 4 “granted” = His precious & magnificent P.
(i) Life & godliness = the things that we need to know – so we can live for God today!
(ii) Precious & magnificent promises = “…might become partakers of the divine nature”
b. Because of this - we may no longer use our human nature - as an excuse for sin, “I’m only human”
1) As believers – we have been given everything we need – to become partakers of His nature.
2) There are far too many verses - that showing how His nature should be seen in us.
3) (Quote Matt. 5:14; Acts 4:13; Gal. 2:20; etc.).
c. “…having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
1) Since we are no longer part of this world – we should live like those of the heavenly realm.
2) (Phil. 3:20), “For our citizenship is in heaven – from which we eagerly await a Savior….”
3) Therefore, let us now look at the virtues – that God calls for us to add to our lives!

B. The Virtues We Must Add to Our Lives (vs. 5-7)

1. These are the qualities of the divine nature – which must be ever increasing in our lives!
a. (v. 5a), “Now for this very reason also – applying all diligence (we must be working g hard at these things) – in your faith supply moral excellence.”
1) Since he is talking to saved individuals – he encourages them to now add moral excellence
(i) A Xn who leads an immoral life – is a contradiction (II Cor. 6:14), “What part. R. & L..”
(ii) The “divine nature” is shown by its moral excellence – (I Pt. 2:22), “He committed no S
2) Note, the very first virtue of the divine nature – is seen in believers being morally excellent.

b. (v. 5b), “…and to your moral excellence, knowledge”
1) “Knowledge” is a key word in this book – it is used 16x.
2) Scripture Reading; “Grace & peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God & J.C. our L.” and “His divine power has granted … true knowledge of Him who called us”
3) Thus, the more diligent we are at gaining this divine knowledge of God – the more we become partakers of His “divine nature.” – (Spir. health) Bible Class? Sunday P.M.? LIFE Groups?

c. (v. 6a), “…and to knowledge, self-control”
1) each virtue builds upon (“add”) – to the one before it…
2) Knowledge without self-control – can quickly degenerate into arrogance – (I Cor. 8:1).
3) But using that knowledge to gain self-control – is clearly God’s desire.
4) (Quote Gen. 4:6-7; Gal. 5:22-23 = “divine nature”!)

d. (v. 6b), “…and to your self-control, perseverance”
1) “Perseverance” is not the attitude that sits back , grits its teeth & accepts life’s trials.
2) It is active (quote Jms. 1:2-4) – it goes forth and battles and overcomes the trials of this life.
3) This is essential to our salvation - (Rev. 2:10), “…be faithful unto death and you shall…..”

e. (v. 6c), “…and in your perseverance, godliness”
1) Remember, the tools to become “godly” were granted to us by God - (v. 3), “…granted to us..
2) Our goal is not to be - “the best people we can be” – (lots of non-Xns are trying to do that).
3) Our goal is to be the best imitation of JESUS that we can be…
4) (I Cor. 11:1; I Jn. 2:6) – If others don’t see this in us – then are we living as we should?!

f. (v. 7a), “…and in your godliness, brotherly kindness”
1) This shows that “godliness” does NOT mean having a “holier-than-thou” attitude.
2) “Godliness” is living a life that is “set apart” – but from sin – not from others!
3) “Brotherly kindness” is seen in the relationship we find between “best friends.”
4) Those who say, “God commands us to love each other – but He doesn’t say we have to like each other” – have never read this verse! – For here God is commanding filadelfian.

g. (v. 7b), “…and in your brotherly kindness, love”
1) This is the love that truly characterizes the divine nature – “God is Love,” (I Jn. 4:8)
2) “Love = Doing what is in someone else’s best interest, in spite of what it cost you!” Jn. 3:16.

C. The Divine Encouragement/Admonishment Regarding These Virtues (vs. 8-11)

1. The benefits of adding these virtues to our lives…
a. (v. 8), “For if these qualities are your and are increasing, they will render you neither useless nor unfruitful – in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
b. Since God has granted to us all we need to possess these qualities, He now expects us to use them.

2. (v. 9) – “For he who lacks these qualities is blind, or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”
a. This person suffers from a combination of spiritual myopia and spiritual A.D.D.
1) These people seek all of God’s blessings – while sadly offering nothing in return!!

3. (vs. 10-11), “Therefore brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; - for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; - for in this way the entrance to the eternal kingdom of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you
a. Again we see “diligence” (vs. 5, 11). – Yet because of the knowledge we have regarding what God has done for us through Jesus – IS HE REALLY ASKING TOO MUCH OF US???!
b. When believers are “supplying” these virtues to our lives – notice what God will then supply…

CONCLUSION:

1. II Peter was written to the saved – “…to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours,” v. 1.

2. As with everything else we have seen today – this faith demands action – (quote Gal. 3:26-27)!