2 Peter 1 - Never Stop Growing
2 Peter 1 - Never Stop Growing
Yesterday I got through two verses, today we might get a little further into chapter 1. However, if you have been with me for any period of time with the journals, I dive into the chapter and just let the Word speak, and we go from there each and every day. I do try and gather as much context as possible of the text I am reading, but at the same time, I process it through the lens of what I am walking through and my current situation and how God wants to use His word to speak to me. It’s a daily journey and my journal. So, here we go into 2 Peter 1.
California redwoods are the world's tallest trees.(Image: © kawhia | Shutterstock.com)
Did you know that the tallest trees in the world are the Redwoods in California? They are stunning, and I was able to visit the Redwoods on my bike while doing a Grand Fondo (110-mile ride) through the Redwoods, up huge vertical climbs, then descents down to the ocean. It was a stunningly, beautiful, challenging ride. The Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world; they can grow over 350 feet tall. If you were wondering, that is taller than the Statue of Liberty and the National Capital Dome. It’s fascinating to me that a Redwood tree that starts as a little seed will grow three to ten feet per year and achieve most of its vertical growth in the first 100 years of its life. What is also mind-blowing is the trees are known to live up to 1200-1800 years.
As I was reading in 2 Peter 1 this morning, the primary focus in the opening of this chapter is growing as a Christian. Peter makes a bold statement that we need to apply to our lives immediately; if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive... If you grow in these qualities every day, it will keep you effective and productive. Never stop growing, never stop leaning in, and learning is what Peter is saying here. But he was clear to point out “these qualities,” so let us dive into what Peter is guiding us towards.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” - 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
Just like the Redwood trees in California have everything they need, the soil mixture, the climate, the rainfall. All the ingredients they need to grow for years and years and years, becoming the tallest trees in the world. Peter is telling us that God has given us everything we need to stand tall, strong, and tower above all the challenges we face in this world. Peter continues and lists out seven traits that we must pay close attention too. These are the areas that we must focus on and spend time specifically growing in and increasing daily. Check this out.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV
Goodness
Knowledge
Self-control
Godliness
Endurance
Mutual “Family” affection
Love
Here it is, these are the key areas we as Christ-followers need to focus on and spend strategic time growing in. This is the mixture when the seed is planted in will produce a towering Redwood that stands tall and thrives. So, I ask you what do these seven look like in your life? Are you daily looking for ways to grow in goodness, knowledge, self-control? Today are you looking to bring Godliness to a situation and grow in your endurance because it's going to be a hard day? What about growing today in how you lead your family, how you invest in your aging parents? And most of all, what does growing in love look like? Loving others, and growing in that area means stepping into the lives of others, and into the pain, others may be walking through. Apply this to our current climate around racism, what does growing as a privileged white male realizing my world view and understanding of life is extremely limited, and to love others, I must recognize my ignorance. Areas we must grow each day.
On that note, Peter is also really clear what happens when we do not do this. And unfortunately, we see this all through the Christian community today, and it’s honestly disgusting and disappointing.
“But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” - 2 Peter 1:9 NIV
Nearsighted and blind! Oh God, I do not want to be nearsighted and blind to our current events or the realities we are walking through. And finally, Peter points to the future and casts a great vision ahead.
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:10-11 NIV
As Christ-followers, we should look like the Redwoods, towering above the corruption, evil, racism, and sin in this world, bringing hope, love, and peace to those around us. We do this by focusing on growing every day, bringing energy into these seven virtues, never stopping our pursuit of learning, and growing closer and closer to Jesus.
Lord God, draw us closer to you today. Bring us a fresh and new passion for growth, a passion for pursuing these seven virtues, and any area we may have a blind spot or where we may be nearsighted, please help us see as you see. Amen.