Flying Through The Finish Line

After listing the traits that every Christian should have, Peter explains why they are so important. If we diligently build these characteristics, we will grow in our knowledge of Christ.

We truly get to know Jesus through our life experiences:

• When we make personal sacrifices, we appreciate His ultimate sacrifice.
• When we are rejected or mistreated, we understand the “Man of Sorrows.”
• When we love others unconditionally, we experience how God loves us even when we are hard to love.

Living out these qualities makes us useful in God’s service. Imagine the strength of a church where every member actively builds moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. When these qualities grow within us, we are fully prepared for every good work.

Peter contrasts the growing Christian with one who lacks these traits. A person who lacks these qualities has lost spiritual perspective. Peter describes this person as shortsighted (unable to see far-off realities clearly).

If you are physically nearsighted, you can only see what is close to you. Similarly, a spiritually nearsighted person loses sight of what matters most. They cannot see heaven in the distance or the direction their life should go, because they are too focused on the immediate present.

Peter also warns that someone who stops growing has forgotten that Christ purged (cleansed) their old sins. A Christian should always be growing, not becoming useless.

This tragic state is described in several scriptures:

• It matches the warning in Hebrews 10:26, where someone turns away from God and treats Jesus’ blood as common.
• It mirrors Hebrews 6:6, which describes turning back on Jesus and crucifying Him all over again.

When we remember the price of our salvation, it drives us to grow. It encourages us to add the vital qualities listed in 2 Peter 1.

Peter urges his readers to make their calling and election sure. While some believe in “once saved, always saved,” scripture warns that a child of God can fall away. If salvation were automatic, Peter’s warning to avoid stumbling would make no sense.

We must actively grow to keep from falling.

To clarify, our own works do not save us—we are saved by grace. Yet God commands us to grow. If we shrink back, we risk being lost, as stated in Hebrews 10:38-39.

For the growing Christian, this warning is not a source of fear. By drawing close to God, we secure our heavenly home. Peter writes that our entrance into heaven will be “abundantly supplied.”

This picture is one of heading to heaven under full power.

We shouldn’t try to cross the finish line in a slow trot. Instead, we should bust through the tape at full speed. When we diligently develop these traits, we become who God created us to be and run our race at maximum speed.