One last look at 2 Peter 1:3-11. I haven't included the scripture passage this morning, instead I would like to encourage you to read it from your own preferred translation.
Vs.3-4 describe God's intent in calling us. Do you ever wonder why God has called you, or anyone else for that matter, to be his child? First of all and most important is because He is a loving and merciful God. His redemptive purpose is an eternal purpose of redemption. Although the Bible teaches us the awfulness of eternity without him, only He knows what that will truly be like. In redemption He buys us back. God has called us to be partakers in the divine nature. That won't make us little gods, but, as we yield our selves to him and engage in rooting out evil and embracing the qualities described in vs. 5-7 we will become like him.
Because we are born with sinful natures we are often very satisfied with who we are because it 'feels' right. It is not until we get rid of sinful desires and replace them with God's way that we see a better way. Paul calls it 'a more excellent way.'
The word excellence at the end of vs.3 is the same Greek word as virtue in vs.5. If excellence is a word that characterizes God and we are called to that same excellence, then that helps us understand why pursuing each of these characteristics is something we should strive for, that we would be like Christ.
Pastor Paul
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