Christian Development
“…they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christâ€
(2 Peter 1:8)
What is meant by Christian development? 2 Peter 1:8 suggests that Christian development may be (and should be) measured along the lines of being effective and fruitful. To lack the qualities that result in this development is a critical problem (see 2 Peter 1:8-11).
1. Christian development means, first, becoming a Christian (2 Peter 1:1,2).
2. Christian development involves aspiring to the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3,4).
3. Christian development necessitates pursuing certain qualities (2 Peter 1:5-15).
a. Faith – virtue (1:5)
b. virtue – knowledge (1:5b)
c. knowledge – self-control (1:6)
d. self-control – steadfastness (1:6b)
e. steadfastness – godliness (1:6c)
f. godliness – brotherly affection (1:7)
g. brotherly affection – love (1:7b)
The apostle’s list of qualities activates an effective and fruitful lifestyle (2 Peter 3:18). The word produces our thinking; our thinking produces our emotions; our emotions produce our decisions; our decisions produce our actions; our actions produce our habits; our habits produce our character; and, our character produces our destiny. Life in the overflow.
– Robert M. Housby