An Easy Yoke
How To Live Well (Part 2)
Previously, I wrote about living effective or fruitful lives by focusing on building Christlike character, not to-do-list. Practically speaking though, how do we “supplement [our] faith” with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love? How do we “possess these qualities in increasing measure” (NIV)? How do we grow in faith?
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ...”
Peter reminds us that Christ’s power lies in those who know him. He gives us everything we need to run the race well and finish well. This should encourage us to endure until the end. Another thing to notice is that 2 Peter 1: 5-8 (a) is not an exhaustive list of character traits or fruit of the Spirit. Peace or joy are not even listed but we know they are to mark our lives (b). That is because, again, it was not Peter's intention to give us a to-do list.
“Make Every Effort”
Keeping this in mind, you can work out what it practically looks like for you to grow in godly character. Some things are pillars of the Christian walk and must be practiced by all of us: reading/studying the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. But we are each uniquely ‘created in Christ Jesus for good works’ (c), with our own set of gifts, temptations, and circumstances. He gave you His Holy Spirit and you have access to his wisdom. You have all you need to grow in Christ-like character. Persevere in it. Run with endurance. Be zealous to pursue it. Make every effort to use the resources you have in Christ.
As a guide, here a some questions for self-examination: how have I grown in love? Am I growing in ______ (fill in the blanks with any fruit of the Spirit or Christlike character. You can start with the areas where you struggle the most). Ask people who know you well and your darkest sins if they are seeing growth in your character in Christ.
His Yoke is Easy & His Commands Are Not Burdensome
If we feel like living this way is burdensome or if the thought of making every effort to build Christlike character is anxiety-producing, then we are not properly understanding it. We are thinking of it outside of the Gospel. We are looking at ourselves and not Christ. We are relying on our own resources, not his divine power. The first time I read this passage it felt burdensome. But now, I am so encouraged because I see it in its proper light. It doesn't feel burdensome anymore.
Not only does pursuing Christ-like character lead to great rewards in heaven, but even now, it leads to living life in abundance, with hope, freedom, joy and peace that go deep in our inner beings, transcending any circumstances, even our own feelings.
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NOTES & SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
All scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)
(a) 2 Peter 1: 3-11 (Full context): “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.
(b) Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
(c) Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
