How to avoid stumbling as a Christian
2 Peter 1:1-11
How to avoid stumbling as a Christian. Is it possible?
According to the Apostle Peter, it is! Here’s his instruction.
Greeting the Faithful
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Fruitful Growth in the Faith
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Avoid Stumbling
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Let’s Break It Down
So, let’s break down the things Peter includes in his list in this passage of Scripture.
Faith and Promises
- Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have great and precious promises. Faith = trust in Jesus Christ and God’s promises. Peter is writing to BELIEVERS. He begins by reminding them, and us, that through faith in Jesus Christ, God has made some awesome promises.
- Through those promises we can be partakers of God’s divine nature. We’re not just forgiven. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. We are not God. But, as we grow in our relationship with Him, He enables us to become more like Him in character.
- We have escaped the corruption in the world that is lust. What an incredible statement! We have escaped corruption through His grace and mercy. We are not controlled by the things around us. We don’t have to give in to the lusts and temptations around us.
Be Diligent
- He tells us to be diligent because of the truth he has shared above. What should we be diligent to do? Following Jesus is an intentional act. We must be watchful, intentional, purposeful in how we follow. This would include studying God’s Word and prayer. These are two of our greatest tools to help us avoid stumbling in our Christian walk. There are so many distractions in the world we live in. Sometimes in this world it is hard to stay focused. Peter reminds us of the importance of staying focused and “on guard” against the tactics of Satan.
Add To Your Faith – Keys To Avoid Stumbling
- He is writing to believers, acknowledging that they have faith. The beginning of our relationship with Jesus is faith. Trusting in Him for our salvation. Our faith should be an ACTIVE FAITH. We should be GROWING in FAITH. Peter follows with a list of things we should ADD to our faith to avoid stumbling.
- To faith add virtue. Virtue = behavior showing high moral standards.
- To virtue add knowledge. Knowledge = facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
- To knowledge add self-control. Self-control = the ability to control yourself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.
- To self-control add perseverance. Perseverance = persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
- To perseverance add godliness. Godliness = the quality or practice of conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devoutness and moral uprightness.
- To godliness add brotherly kindness. Brotherly kindness = the love and caring of fellow Christians toward one another, all being children of the same Heavenly Father.
- To brotherly kindness add love. Love – an intense feeling of deep affection. Love is a more intense and intentional affection for someone. A deeper level that requires intentional commitment. (There’s that word “intentional” again.)
Reminder About Diligence
- If we are diligent to do these things, we will not be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The promise is that if you are diligent, intentional at pursuing these characteristics, you will grow in your knowledge and understanding of Jesus. Which in turn, will produce fruit, positive results.
- If we are not diligent in these things, we will be shortsighted, even blind to the fact that we have been cleansed from our old sins. Remember, he is talking to believers. If we do not intentionally pursue these characteristics, we will not see things clearly. Satan will be able to distort our perception of the world around us. Instead of experiencing the freedom and joy that God has intended for us, we will live in guilt, shame, and bondage.
- He encourages us to be diligent in these things to make our call and election even more sure. Our faith in Jesus is the beginning of our salvation. Peter does not seem to be implying that if you don’t have these other characteristics you are not saved. Instead, he is saying “Now that you have taken this first step in relationship with God, continue to grow.” Leave no doubt about who you follow. Walk in confidence by seeking after these other godly attributes. Continue to focus on the things of God. Follow His example and strive to be more like Him.
You Can Avoid Stumbling
- If we do these things we will never stumble. To avoid stumbling, be diligent and intentional about pursuing the characteristics in the list. If you are focused on these things, you won’t be as distracted by temptation. You won’t be as likely to give in or be deceived. Peter indicates there is a possibility to “never stumble”. But the sentence starts with the word “if”. As humans beings we are not perfect. God is the only one who is. I have heard many people just discount this whole passage because it seems to be impossible to achieve.
- I think Peter knew better than most that this is an ideal. It’s the ultimate goal. If you adopt the mindset that Peter proposes, you will definitely be less likely to stumble.
- If you do stumble, the Holy Spirit will be there with a reminder. With this focus and mindset your response will be immediate repentance.
- Dust yourself off, learn from the experience and move on.
Why Bother?
- Therefore, we will be able to have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. A Confident entrance.
- Peter tells us that if we will apply these principles, we will gain even more confidence in our final destination! Focusing on these characteristics will bring more confidence and joy as we follow Jesus in this lifetime.
- I know people who have accepted Jesus as their savior, go to church every Sunday (morning, evening and Wednesday too) but still live under guilt and condemnation. They focus on all of what’s wrong in the world and in their own lives.
- If they would only shift their focus to the things in this list. Focus on becoming more like Jesus. God promises joy, confidence, provision and a positive impact on the world around you.
- And best of all, He promises an eternal home…in heaven…with HIM!!
That is an awesome promise!
What next?
Peter’s list of attributes ends with LOVE.
Reference 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 for more information
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
( All these things are in the list in 2 Peter. Without love they don’t have the desired effect. )
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Avoid Stumbling by focusing on attributes that lead you to Love
In future lessons and podcasts, we’ll break down this list even further so subscribe to the podcast to get the notifications.
We are also planning a series of lessons related to what Jesus taught about Love as well.
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Blessings,
Teddy Levron
