Peter is a coach telling the people of God they
CANNOT FAIL. They have been given a gift of faith that
must make a difference in the life of a believer. Like an athlete training for the Olympics, Christians must strive to live a holy life, and add the following qualities to the gift of faith:
- Virtue - this is the ability to perform heroic deeds of excellence. Like the Olympic athletes, ignore fatigue and discomfort, and press on in spite of incredible opposition and unending pain.
- Knowledge - diligently study the Scriptures in order to understand and apply the truth. The athletes study their craft, watch videos, observing the competition, seeking information from trainers in order to perfect techniques to gain a hundreth of a second.
- Self-control - literally, "holding oneself in". Restraining and disciplining oneself in spite of temptation to let go.
- Steadfastness - Patience in doing what is right. Endurance with hope. No matter what the obstacle or the result of competition, the athletes strive to do better, hoping that next time they'll win the prize. This is not simply hanging on with resignation...there is a looking for results involved.
- Godliness - reverent, loyal, obedient toward God.
- Brotherly Affection - Mutual sacrifice for one another. The team sports are a great illustration of this quality. Winning teams are made of those who are not "glory hounds", but are willing to sacrifice for one another in order to win the prize.
- Love - Putting another's good ahead of one's own desires in spite of being treated unkindly, ungraciously, or even with hostility. Love covers a multitude of sins, and we ought to always be ready to forgive one another. This does not mean that we never hold another person accountable for their actions and their need to repent. However, Love is patient and generously gracious. Love is devoted to the truth in everything. Love protects, believes, hopes and endures. It is not arrogant or rude. It never wants its own way.
Good thoughts, Mom! Thanks for sharing. :)
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