Peter writes that we believers have been given everything we need “that pertain to life and godliness.”1 And these things allow us to “become partakers of the divine nature!”2 In other words, we can possess the characteristics of Jesus! Although we describe it as becoming more like him, the truth is that Jesus takes over our nature. His nature becomes ours! But this transformation does not occur automatically. It is accomplished when we make an effort, actually “every effort”3 to know Jesus more and more.
The list of Jesus’ qualities that Peter gives us is quite amazing. They include virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. And Peter concludes that if “these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”4 So, the more we know Jesus—walk with him, talk with him, study about him in God’s Word—the more effective and fruitful we will be!
Well, this is the best news ever! This is the way to live a victorious life no matter what comes our way! So . . . why aren’t we? Why don’t we? What is our problem? Peter addresses that issue, too. He writes, “for whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.”5 Our problem is that we are “so nearsighted.” What does this mean? To be nearsighted is to only see what is right in front of us. The term also refers to someone lacking in foresight and having a narrow perspective, not seeing the whole picture. Distant things are blurry. One would think that the solution, then, would be the ability to be farsighted, right? But Peter does not reference farsightedness, the ability to see far ahead, as the solution. Instead, he says the problem is that we have forgotten the past—that our sins have been forgiven; therefore, the solution, then, is to remember the past, for if we forget the past we become blind to our future! And being blind would really impede our progress, don’t you think?
Hmm. But what does forgetting that we have been “cleansed from [our] former sins” have to do with lacking the qualities of Christ? Great question! If we are still living with the weight of our sin, that guilt and shame will hinder our growth. It is not that we do not acknowledge our sins, but that we do acknowledge them! And feel unworthy of God’s love. And rightfully so! Because the truth of the matter is that we were never worthy of God’s love and can never be through our own efforts. So, really, we need to stop trying to be worthy. And, instead, allow the love of God to truly set us free, “cleansed from [our] former sins.”
Our sins have been forgiven! Never forget that! How can we, then, learn to live the victorious life that Peter is describing? Well, he gives us the answer for that, too! He writes, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election.”6 God has chosen us! That’s how we are to live! As “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”7 That “chosen race”? That “royal priesthood” and “holy nation”? That’s us!
And so we are called to live in “his marvelous light,” as people who have been called “out of darkness,” and untethered from our past sins and able to possess the qualities of Jesus. When we are sure about our “calling and election,” we live in hope and security. We are free and safe! And that’s when Jesus begins to live through us. His qualities become ours. And then Peter writes, “if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”6
Peter is adamant about this point. He writes, “Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities.”8 So, we, too, need to remind ourselves that these qualities can be ours! Peter ends his letter with the way to attain them: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”9 Knowing Jesus and growing in his grace is the key to living a victorious life. But this will only occur if we stop being so nearsighted!
12 Peter 1:3 22 Peter 1:4 32 Peter 1:5 42 Peter 1:8 52 Peter 1:9 62 Peter 1:10 71 Peter 3:9 82 Peter 1:12 92 Peter 3:18
