By Hoyt Wilson
Pastor, Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay
Focal Passage: II Peter 1:3-11
Only God is indispensable, but every person has practical usefulness. I have never forgotten a sign at the second floor landing of a church. The sign said: “God don’t make no junk.” In the worst of us and the best of us there is potential for usefulness. I Peter was written to God’s elect who were exiles scattered in five provinces, but II Peter is more general in that it was written: “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received faith as precious as ours.” At least one of the reasons Peter wrote this letter was to help gentile Christians understand the nature of the spiritual change they had experienced so they could grow to maximum usefulness to God and others. II Peter 1:3-4 sets forth God’s expectation for Christians to live godly lives through His empowerment; II Peter 1:5-7 shares how effort on the part of believers to use God’s provisions will help them to progress in practical godliness; II Peter 1:8-9 acknowledges the results of God’s provisions and believers’ efforts producing a useful life; and II Peter 1:10-11 reinforces practical godliness as a lifelong journey with blessed results. Let’s examine these four emphases.
Saved people need not concern themselves with where the power will come from to live a changed life. Jesus had the power to create all things (John 1:1-5). Peter says: “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” (I Peter 1:3). One is saved by who they know, not by what they know. “Knowledge” in verse 3 refers to a personal relationship to Jesus. John 1:12 says: “But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Jesus welcomes the new Christian into an intimate relationship with Him. Peter also tells us that Jesus has given us precious promises so we can share in the divine nature since we have escaped from the corruption of the world that evil desires cause. Becoming a Christian is the starting point of a useful, godly life, but it is not the conclusion of it.
In verses 5-7, Peter lists expectations or possibilities for growth in godliness. Beginning with faith there are goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. Jesus has equipped us to put on all these, but it does take effort as Peter acknowledges in verse 5. Before one will expend the effort, one must have a desire to grow in their character. These character traits are essential to one being useful.
Peter says: “They will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” If one knows Jesus Christ they should want to know Him better. God is more concerned with what we become than He is with what we do. Years ago I learned to play “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on a harmonica. I did not continue practice nor did I add other songs to my repertoire. All I can play is “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Is your Christian life like that or have you grown in godliness and usefulness?
It is not yet too late to become useful to God and to others. Peter acknowledged that we need to “… possess these qualities in increasing measure …” or we will become ineffective and unproductive. Give your life to Christ, receive forgiveness of sin, and discover your potential for usefulness. There is this promise for those who are saved and growing in the eight character traits Peter shared: “You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
