Memory – James 1.3-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the desting of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
We have been focusing on the foundational Biblical theme of Christ being formed in you using 2 Peter 1.3-11 as the springboard for examing what the Bible has to say about it. While each of the character traits listed in 2 Peter 1:3-11 are significant in and of themselves and may be studied individually in light the larger context of Scripture, it is nevertheless good not to lose sight of their collective value. Collectively they function as a character collage of the Christian man or woman who has, through the Holy Spirit’s work in his or her life, found that they are experiencing Christ being formed in them. Of course, it is not a thing that happens all at once; it happens by degrees. That is why Peter says to make every effort to build your life in Christ by adding one spiritual grace upon another. While being yoked with Christ lightens one’s burdens (Matthew 11.28-30), it is not a lifestyle that comes naturally. What matters most is not the seasons in life or the unforeseen exigencies pressing upon you, but the strength of your spirit. Perhaps for a time the problem of goodness is the main issue; at another time, it may be the pursuit of Biblical knowledge. Remember, the worth and excellency of the soul is measured by the object of its love (cf. The Life of God in the Soul of Man, Henry Scougal). True religion is a union of the soul with God and involves a real participation with His Divine nature (2 Peter 1.3). It is the image of God etched upon the soul, as in the apostle’s phrase, it is Christ formed within you (Galatians 4.19).
Though you may make evidential headway in some or even all of these virtues, you will in some situation or other be challenged to speak or act more heroically than you might now imagine. Keep in mind that it is the Spirit of God who is at work within you. What you are today is not what you were yesterday nor are you what you will one day be (1 John 2.28-3.3). Remember it is not a sprint but a marathon. We have already examined faith, goodness, knowledge and self-control and found that there is so much to these traits that it would take a lifetime to master any of them – if indeed that were even possible. But at just this point Peter encourages the reader not to give up; it is perseverance in these things that makes all the difference. We can, I believe, easily see how Peter constructs a picture of the mature Christian who cultivates these spiritual virtues. Furthermore, we have seen that behind each of these spiritual virtues there is the working of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life.
Perseverance is no exception. As with self-control, which is dependent upon self-surrender, so too with perseverance: it is God who is at work to keep you from falling. As with the other Christian virtues, perseverance is not mastered by a reliance upon inherent strength, but by learning to live in faith dependence upon God. Consequently, the fundamental importance of the doctrine of perseverance is evident in the contrast between the permanence of God and the mutability of creation.
Forgive me for a short academic excursus: Steadfastness or perseverance (ὑπομονήν hypomone) is generally ethically neutral. Perseverance is for the early church a prominent virtue in that the believer demonstrated courageous endurance in the face of life-threatening opposition. It is distinct from patience, a fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul (Galatians 5.22-23). To be successful in persevering in the faith does not necessarily mean you will overcome all opposition, but it entails the bearing of pain by the wounded, and the calm acceptance of God’s providence, no matter how bleak the circumstances. True perseverance is not motivated outwardly by public opinion or hope of reward, but inwardly by love of God. This is what the apostle John was alluding to in the passage I mentioned in the preceding paragraph (1 John 2.28); namely abide in him … the word for abide (μένω meno) is related in meaning to the word for steadfastness in 2 Peter.
So, then, the end of the matter is this: press on to know Christ and to be known by Him as a true child of faith, renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions, living a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in this present age while you wait for the appearing of your great God and Savior Jesus Christ (cf. Philippians 3.10 & Titus 2.11-14).
If you want to read just a bit more on this topic here is a link to an essay on my website: https://www.myevensong.com/preserverence.html
Though you may make evidential headway in some or even all of these virtues, you will in some situation or other be challenged to speak or act more heroically than you might now imagine. Keep in mind that it is the Spirit of God who is at work within you. What you are today is not what you were yesterday nor are you what you will one day be (1 John 2.28-3.3). Remember it is not a sprint but a marathon. We have already examined faith, goodness, knowledge and self-control and found that there is so much to these traits that it would take a lifetime to master any of them – if indeed that were even possible. But at just this point Peter encourages the reader not to give up; it is perseverance in these things that makes all the difference. We can, I believe, easily see how Peter constructs a picture of the mature Christian who cultivates these spiritual virtues. Furthermore, we have seen that behind each of these spiritual virtues there is the working of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life.
Perseverance is no exception. As with self-control, which is dependent upon self-surrender, so too with perseverance: it is God who is at work to keep you from falling. As with the other Christian virtues, perseverance is not mastered by a reliance upon inherent strength, but by learning to live in faith dependence upon God. Consequently, the fundamental importance of the doctrine of perseverance is evident in the contrast between the permanence of God and the mutability of creation.
Forgive me for a short academic excursus: Steadfastness or perseverance (ὑπομονήν hypomone) is generally ethically neutral. Perseverance is for the early church a prominent virtue in that the believer demonstrated courageous endurance in the face of life-threatening opposition. It is distinct from patience, a fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul (Galatians 5.22-23). To be successful in persevering in the faith does not necessarily mean you will overcome all opposition, but it entails the bearing of pain by the wounded, and the calm acceptance of God’s providence, no matter how bleak the circumstances. True perseverance is not motivated outwardly by public opinion or hope of reward, but inwardly by love of God. This is what the apostle John was alluding to in the passage I mentioned in the preceding paragraph (1 John 2.28); namely abide in him … the word for abide (μένω meno) is related in meaning to the word for steadfastness in 2 Peter.
So, then, the end of the matter is this: press on to know Christ and to be known by Him as a true child of faith, renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions, living a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in this present age while you wait for the appearing of your great God and Savior Jesus Christ (cf. Philippians 3.10 & Titus 2.11-14).
If you want to read just a bit more on this topic here is a link to an essay on my website: https://www.myevensong.com/preserverence.html
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