Developing A Christ-Like Character
II Peter 1:1-11
INTRODUCTION:

1. The second epistle of Peter is certainly a powerful letter.
a. Written with an awareness that his death was imminent - II Pet 1:14
b. Warning that false teachers would seek to lead them astray - II Pet 2:1-2
c. With a hope that they would be mindful of the commandments given to them by the apostles of Jesus Christ - II Pet 3:1-2

2. The final command this aged apostle leaves his readers is a charge to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - II Pet 3:18
a. What does it mean to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ?
b. How can we be sure that we are growing in this "knowledge"?

3. With this lesson, we begin a series entitled Growing In The Knowledge Of Jesus Christ.
a. To define what Peter had in mind when he gave us his final charge 
b. To encourage growth and development in this knowledge of Jesus 

BODY:

I. WHAT IT MEANS TO GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS

A. THE DEVELOPMENT OF EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS

1. These are listed in II Pet 1:5-7

2. Briefly defined:
a. Faith is "conviction, strong assurance"
b. Virtue is "moral excellence, goodness"
c. Knowledge is "correct insight"
d. Self-control is "self-discipline"
e. Perseverance is "bearing up under trials"
f. Godliness is "godly character out of devotion to God"
g. Brotherly kindness is "love toward brethren"
h. Love is "active goodwill toward others"

3. Now note carefully II Pet 1:8
a. We must abound in these characteristics
b. Only then can it be said that we are growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ

4. It is more than simply increasing our intellectual knowledge of Jesus!
a. Such knowledge has a place, but it is just one of the graces necessary
b. Peter is talking about growing in a fuller and personal
knowledge of Jesus Christ!
1) Which comes by developing the Christ-like attributes listed in this passage
2) The more we grow in these attributes, the more we really know Jesus (for He is the perfect personification of these attributes)

5. That it involves more than intellectual knowledge is also evident from the Greek word used for knowledge in II Pet 1:2-3,8
a. The word is epignosis, meaning -to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly, to know accurately, know well (Thayer)
b. Such knowledge comes only as we demonstrate these
Christ-like characteristics in our lives

B. IN CONJUNCTION WITH EACH OTHER..
1. Notice the word add in II Pet 1:5
a. Before each attributes mentioned, the word is implied
b. The word in Greek is epichoregeo 
1) "Originally, to found and support a chorus, to lead a choir, to keep in tune"
2) "Then, to supply or provide"
c. This word suggests the idea of "each characteristics working in harmony with the others to produce an overall effect"

2. Notice also the preposition to in II Pet 1:5-7
a. This implies "each attributes is to temper and make perfect the one that goes before it"
b. To illustrate this point:
1) to knowledge (add) self-control - the ability of
self-control enables one to apply properly the knowledge one has
2) to self-control (add) perseverance - self-control in turn needs the quality of perseverance to be consistent day after day
3. Therefore each one is necessary!
a. They must all be developed in conjunction with each other
b. We cannot be selective and just pick the ones we like and
leave others behind

C. WITH ALL DILIGENCE.

1. Notice the repeated use of the word diligence - II Pet 1:5,10

2. It means "earnestness, zeal, sometimes with haste"

3. To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ requires much effort

4. We do not "accidentally" or "naturally" develop these attributes!

5. We may have been Christians for a number of years; but unless
a. We "add" to our faith these Christ-like qualities with all diligence
b. We are simply repeating the first year over and over again!

II. REASONS TO GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS
A. GRACE AND PEACE ARE MULTIPLIED.

1. Grace and peace are common forms of greeting in the New Testament
a. Grace - a greeting which requests God's unmerited favor upon the person addressed
b. Peace - a greeting requesting the natural result of God's favor

2. Note that these two blessings are "multiplied" in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - II Pet 1:2
a. All men experience God's favor and its result to some degree - Matt 5:45
b. But only in Christ can one enjoy the "fulness" of God's favor and peace - Eph 1:3; Phil 4:6-7

B. ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO LIFE AND GODLINESS PROVIDED.

1. We note that God provides all things pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge (epignosis) of Him who called us to glory and virtue - II Pet 1:3
a. Life in this context refers to our spiritual life and well-being
b. Godliness refers to the pious conduct which comes out of devotion to God

2. Only as we grow in this knowledge do we enjoy the true, full life available by God's divine power!
a. Which includes exceedingly great and precious promises II Pet 1:4
b. Which enables us to be partakers of the divine nature 
II Pet 1:4
c. Which can free us from the corruption that is in the world through lust II Pet 1:4
C. SPIRITUAL "MYOPIA" AND "AMNESIA" AVOIDED.

1. Our religion is "shortsighted" if we are not growing in the knowledge of Jesus! II Pet 1:9
a. For what is the ultimate objective of being a Christian? 
b. Is it not to become like Christ? - Rom 8:29; Col 3:9-11
c. As we have seen, this is what it really means to grow in the knowledge of Christ

2. Failure to so grow indicates we have forgotten why we were deemed by the blood of Christ in the first place! - II Pet 1:9
a. To have our sins forgiven, yes.
b. But also to become what He wants us to be - like His Son!

D. WE WILL NEVER STUMBLE.
1. Peter says if you do these things you will never stumble II Pet 1:10
a. If you are diligent to make your calling and election sure
b. If you add to your faith virtue, etc.
c. If you abound in these eight qualities

2. This does not mean we will never sin - I John 1:8,10
a. The word stumble in Greek means "to fall into misery, become wretched; cf. the loss of salvation" (Thayer)
b. We will never stumble so as to fall short of our ultimate salvation!

E. AN ABUNDANT ENTRANCE INTO THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM.

1. This everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 
II Pet 1:11
a. Is the "heavenly kingdom" referred to by Paul in 
II Tim 4:18
b. In other words, the ultimate destiny of the redeemed!

2. What is meant by the idea of an "abundant entrance"?
a. You may be able to enter, not as having escaped from a shipwreck, or from fire, but as it were in triumph. (Bengel)
b. By possessing the eight graces, we will be able to live victoriously in this life and to joyously anticipate what lies ahead - II Tim 4:6-8

CONCLUSION:
1. Are these not sufficient reasons to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ?

2. For through such knowledge.
a. Grace and peace are multiplied
b. All things pertaining to life and godliness are provided
c. Spiritual myopia and amnesia are avoided
d. We will never stumble
e. An abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom will be ours!

3. Because such knowledge requires
a. The development of eight graces
b. In conjunction with each other
b. With all diligence