Remix II: Results

The Danger of Neglecting Spiritual Qualities

For whoever lacks these qualities is so near-sighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. For if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. For in this way, there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

We are continuing in our series entitled Remix. The point is to remix into our lives the things that are most spiritually beneficial. We can't assume that because we are Christians, we are automatically good with nothing left to do. There's no diligence needed; we can't just sit back and coast.

Some might think that since we have everything that pertains to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us, we can relax. But Peter says the opposite: because you have everything, get to work. The person who has everything that pertains to life and godliness is exceptionally busy mixing and remixing things into their life.

Last week, we looked at the things to remix into our lives: faith supplemented with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. The result is that we become effective and fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Knowing about Jesus doesn't make us effective. It's possible to have knowledge of Jesus but be fruitless due to a lack of diligence.

And beside this, putting on all diligence, add to your faith virtue... 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.

Diligence means to make every effort—to be quick, work hard, and break a sweat. How often have we broken a sweat studying Jesus or pursuing virtue to the point of exhaustion?

Virtue is uncommon character—living with such high moral excellence that you graduate summa cum laude in morality. It's not just knowing it, but living it unmistakably.

Knowledge helps you learn virtue. Self-control helps you focus on gaining knowledge and endure in it. Godliness enables self-control. Brotherly affection demonstrates godliness, as time spent with fellow Christians shows your relationship with God.

We were noting in 1 John that the way you demonstrate a relationship with God is by the time you spend with fellow Christians.

And Hebrews confirms that your relationship with God is demonstrated by your love for other Christians.

The most godly affection is toward God's people. Add agape love to brotherly affection—the selfless love that considers others more important, even laying down your life as Jesus did.

Peter says break a sweat, put in sweat equity, and increase these qualities. Don't just check them off; do it again, but more—like running laps in soccer conditioning. Increase to excel and be the most uncommon, godliest person.

This will consume your time. There's only so much time in a day. The question is: is that possible? Tonight's message provides motivation, because there are monumental positive results and devastating negative ones.

Positive Results: Effective and Fruitful

Effective, fruitful people love God, enjoy him, glorify him, and fulfill their purpose. They are good employers, students, spouses, friends—making a huge impact with unshakable joy in Christ.

Negative Results: Spiritual Blindness

What happens if you don't do these things or increase in them? Whoever lacks these qualities is so near-sighted that he is blind, having forgotten he was cleansed from his former sins.

The number one negative result: we forget we are even Christian. How can someone purchased by Christ's blood forget? Without thinking about it actively, you won't live like one. Jesus won't be on your mind; you'll be ineffective and unfruitful.

Near-sighted to the point of blindness means you can't see the bigger picture or long-term implications. You can't see how sin impacts your life, others, or God. Sin spills over; a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

What sin am I contributing that is ruining our community?

Confirm Your Calling and Election

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. If you practice these qualities, you will never fall—meaning never totally or finally fall. This is the prescription for perseverance.

Peter urges even more diligence than "make every effort" in verse 5. Prove your calling and election by practicing these qualities. Not practicing them is a hallmark of lacking salvation.

The postmodern church emphasizes justification without sanctification. But Peter says pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. This is how you confirm you are called and elected, gaining assurance of salvation.

For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Constant Reminder

Peter intends always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them. It's right to stir you up by reminder, even as he knows his death is near.

People complain about repeated teaching: "We get it." But Peter preaches it constantly because we are like sheep—prone to wander and forget. The moment you think you've mastered it, you're in danger.

Peter will make every effort so after his departure, you can recall these things at any time. He wrote it in Scripture, preserved for us today in countless accessible forms.

We are prone to forget. Every situation tempts us to instant gratification over these qualities. Scripture is your reminder to practice and increase them until they consume your life—because your eternal life depends on it.

Peter spent his last days provoking Christians to confirm their calling by these truths. Feel the urgency: consume your time adding to your faith. Reject video games, entertainment for Scripture, relationships that build these qualities.

Be far-sighted: trade momentary pleasure for eternal bliss in God's presence. What fools trade a drop of pleasure for a sea of wrath.