A Place to Learn About How to Live Life as a Christian

The eight essential personal traits showing that a Christian is “participating” in the divine nature are listed in 2 Peter 1:3-8. They are: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love (NIV). A large book would be required to fully explain all of these traits. What follows is merely a brief explanation of each. 

In context, the main point is that God’s power working in Christians is what enables them to live out these traits on a daily basis (vr. 3). In other words, it’s a team effort. While the spiritual power to manifest these traits in one’s life comes from God, Christians must welcome it and dedicate themselves to allowing that “divine power” to overpower their own natural, selfish natures. While some of these traits to some degree may be manifested at times in the lives of non-christians, only Christians, through divine spiritual power, have the ability to manifest all of these traits all of the time in daily living. And, of course, this should be the goal of every Christian.

It begins with faith. The text says, “add to your faith”. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is all about trust. Who do you trust? What do you believe? Christians trust in God and in what was accomplished through Jesus Christ as our Savior. Faith in Jesus is basic, the foundation upon which everything else rests, including the spiritual power to live a Christian lifestyle. 

With faith as the foundation, Christians are urged to “make every effort” to add to, to build upon, their faith/trust beginning with “goodness”. What does this even mean? The Greek term “arete” translated here as goodness basically refers to one’s reputation. What kind of impression is being made upon others? The idea is that the life of a Christian should be recognized by others as praiseworthy, worthy of imitation, especially as it relates to morals.

Building upon faith and goodness, knowledge must be added as an essential trait. It’s one thing to know about something. It’s quite another to really know all about something. That’s the emphasis here. Hold on to what you already know, but continue to build upon that knowledge. Christians must continue to study and increase their understanding about their relationship with God and others. The process of learning never ends for Christ followers.

Self-control is the next essential trait to be added to the mix. The word translated here as self-control carries the idea of an athlete training for competition. It requires the exercise of restraint about one’s conduct. An athlete must eat right, exercise right, practice right in order to be ready for an event. It takes inner strength and resolve to maintain the right regime. It requires self-control. Christians must not allow impulses to rule their lives.

After self-control, perseverance is next on the list of essential traits that Christians must develop. The main ideas here include: enduring in the face of difficulties whether internal or external, not giving up under pressure, continuing to maintain Christian behavior even when treated unjustly. Christians can expect to experience various trials and tribulations simply because they are living the lifestyle. This is why developing perseverance is so vital.

Godliness is another essential trait that indicates one is participating in the divine nature. The leading idea is that of showing respect, even reverence, toward those who are deserving of it. This could include not only the things of God and spiritual matters, but also being respectful toward parents, church leaders, teachers, neighbors and, yes, even governmental authorities.

Mutual affection follows godliness as an essential Christian trait. Other translations state it as brotherly affection or brotherly kindness. It’s the same word from which Philadelphia is derived meaning literally “brotherly love.” Christians are a spiritual family composed of brothers and sisters with Jesus as the older brother and God as the Father. Those who are participating in the divine nature recognize this reality and behave accordingly as in a loving family.

The final and crowning essential trait that proves one is sharing in the divine nature is love. But, this is not love in the sense that the world tends to understand it. This speaks to the kind of love that God has for the human family. The Greek word here translated “love” is “agape” which was rarely used in Greek literature contemporary with when the New Testament was written. 

Its meaning is best shown in the actions of God toward His unworthy human family. John 3:16, often cited as the best known verse of Scripture, uses a form of the word agape in “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. . .” Romans 5:8 carries the same idea in stating that: “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

One who is living an “agape” kind of life will work for the good of all without regard to their worthiness. It is not primarily actions based upon feelings or natural inclinations. To the contrary, it is often otherwise. Living a life characterized by this kind of love is only made possible through the power of God’s Spirit working within His people. One may view this kind of love as the umbrella that covers all of the other essential traits. When these traits are evident in the life of a Christian, it is proof-positive that, indeed, that person is truly participating in the divine nature.