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2 Peter 1
One of the things that plagues the Christian faith is the proliferation of the works-based salvation mindset; the idea that our behavior, our ability to sin less, has a relationship with our salvation. That is simply not true, and even a cursory read of the New Testament demonstrates that. What is admittedly a little more difficult to get at for many of us becomes this question, “What is the point in behaving then?” This is a little more of a tricky question, because most of the answers presuppose a faith in God. The truth is, behaving is irrelevant if you don’t believe in God. But, for us believers, Peter gets at one of the answers to this question here in 2 Peter 1:8
“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.”
This is also one of those verses where all of the material around this particular verse supports this verse, so it's important to read all of it.
In the study of behavior change, there is a lot of evidence that points to the fact that removing unwanted behavior is much less effective than replacing it. It stands to reason that our faith may operate similarly; instead of focusing on all the things God wants us to avoid, perhaps we should focus on those things to which we have been called. Peter lists those for us as virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Paul lists these in various places in his writings as well. Maybe if we focused on these behaviors, not as a way to avoid God's punishment, but as a way to understand God and to have a more personal relationship with God, our relationship with behavior change might improve. It stands to reason as well that in doing these things it would be hard to simultaneously behave in a way that would displease God, it's hard to love somebody and intentionally hurt them at the same time.
So, for today, my question to ponder throughout the day will be thinking through what I can do to be a little more like God, in a small way, as I live my life today.
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By Steve AndersonOne of the things that plagues the Christian faith is the proliferation of the works-based salvation mindset; the idea that our behavior, our ability to sin less, has a relationship with our salvation. That is simply not true, and even a cursory read of the New Testament demonstrates that. What is admittedly a little more difficult to get at for many of us becomes this question, “What is the point in behaving then?” This is a little more of a tricky question, because most of the answers presuppose a faith in God. The truth is, behaving is irrelevant if you don’t believe in God. But, for us believers, Peter gets at one of the answers to this question here in 2 Peter 1:8
“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.”
This is also one of those verses where all of the material around this particular verse supports this verse, so it's important to read all of it.
In the study of behavior change, there is a lot of evidence that points to the fact that removing unwanted behavior is much less effective than replacing it. It stands to reason that our faith may operate similarly; instead of focusing on all the things God wants us to avoid, perhaps we should focus on those things to which we have been called. Peter lists those for us as virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Paul lists these in various places in his writings as well. Maybe if we focused on these behaviors, not as a way to avoid God's punishment, but as a way to understand God and to have a more personal relationship with God, our relationship with behavior change might improve. It stands to reason as well that in doing these things it would be hard to simultaneously behave in a way that would displease God, it's hard to love somebody and intentionally hurt them at the same time.
So, for today, my question to ponder throughout the day will be thinking through what I can do to be a little more like God, in a small way, as I live my life today.