Good-bye – Don’t Let the Grass Grow Under Your Feet

2 Peter 1:5-8: “For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 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.”

2 Peter 1:5-8, is the passage that I have chosen to be preached on at my memorial service when that day comes. I want this passage to be my salutation.

Peter wrote this letter while he was in prison, awaiting his death. These three verses are part of Peter’s farewell speech to the churches in Asia Minor. He knows his life will be coming to an end. In Peter’s final message he is warning the believers that they need to work hard on developing these qualities to be of benefit, effective, and fruitful in the Christian life. They take work. It takes diligence.

Needed building block qualities, supplements required, of a godly life (2 Peter 1:5-8):

1. Faith: Faith is the foundation of the essential qualities that Peter says are needed in order to be effective and useful. It is the belief and acceptance of all God can do. Involves believing without having to see it. We are tested in our trials in life regarding the reality and depth of our experience of our faith in God. The next seven qualities are what are needed to be added to this foundation of our faith.
2. Virtue: That quality of life that makes someone stand out in excellence; having good character. It is our diligent devotion to personal righteousness. Requires integrity.
3. Knowledge: Understanding the truth of God’s Word and applying it correctly. When I have to depend entirely on God and not myself, I grow in the knowledge of God. A personal knowledge of God that grows deeper and more perfect out of an obedient heart. Involves diligently studying God’s Word and not just relying on someone else’s opinion. Has to do with having an intimate relationship with God. Letting God’s truth develop deeply in your heart.
4. Self-control: Is the opposite of self-indulgence. Maintaining a balanced life. Using self-restraint. Nothing should control us such as food, drink, emotions, or even overspending. Moderation is the key.
5. Steadfastness: Requires maintaining a stable, clearheaded mindset, in the midst of distress or disaster. Having a clear focus on the pursuit of hope and maintaining “passionate patience (2 Peter 1:5-6 MSG).” How can we have “passionate patience?” It involves perseverance in not quitting until God reveals what He has in mind. Prayer is the key.
6. Godliness: Godliness is an attitude. Making the right decisions that are good and noble, while showing proper reverence to God. Living above the petty things in life – seeking to do the will of God in everything. Godliness inspires all of these supplements required, to be successful in one’s Christian life.
7. Brotherly affection: Treating others as if they were part of your family. Rejoicing with those who deserve accolades and crying with those shedding tears. John 5:1-2 states the fact that loving our sisters and brothers in Christ is the evidence that we are born of God.
8. Love: This love seeks the highest good in putting others needs above your own. Loving others yet in spite of our differences.

I love how the Message summed this all up in 2 Peter 1:7: “. . . With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what is right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.”

“You get one pass at life. That is all. Only one. And that lasting measure of that life is Jesus Christ.” John Piper.

None of us get an email or text from God, notifying us ahead of time when our time on earth will be done. Our common phrases such as: Good-bye, adios, farewell, have a good day, take care, ta-ta, may be the last words our dear family and friends may hear from us, as we leave the house for work some morning.

Question: What does your life say about your faith?

Question: In which of these essential traits are you stronger? Which ones do you need to work on, strengthen, and develop?

Want to have spiritual success in your life? Develop and increase each of these essential qualities as a building block upon the next one. It takes work. It takes diligence. But the outcome will produce effectiveness and fruitfulness in your Christian walk.

Question: What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Don’t let the grass grow under your feet! Be diligent in faithful obedience and in your growth in adding to your faith, virtue, and to virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. “. . . For if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10b

Listen to the Newsboys song, “What I Want Them to Say.”