[We thank him for those words above and for the following] So please remember, each step must be taken with care as we “add” each step to the next in diligent pursuit of the final goal.
Faith. The foundation. The first of many steps toward Jesus. We had faith when we first believed. Out of that first silent utterance of faith, we stepped on to a uniquely personal path toward Jesus. We determined that there was more to life than meeting our own desires and whims. We determined that even though our pasts might be skewed, ignorant, or very painful, there was a man, the Son of God, to whom we could run to. And that Man carried a cross to Calvary for us. So our faith walk becomes our own Cross Walk. Like Jesus, we will suffer along the way. Like Jesus we will be persecuted. Like Jesus we will bear the burdens of others on our shoulders. Because of Jesus we will have eternal life.
We believe in God. We believe that His Son, Jesus answered for and paid for our sins. In doing so, we understand that Jesus provided a way of forgiveness for us and a reconciliation with the Father. We have been given access to our Creator and eternal life through Jesus’ resurrection. This is faith. And it is through faith and the grace of God that we have been saved.
Goodness. The King James Version uses the word “virtue”. Goodness means virtue and virtue means morality. This is not a set of morals that we get to invent or even pick and choose. This is not just the morals of our cultures. This is a higher standard as evidenced in the Bible. It is imitating Jesus. The Epistles were written to believers struggling in very pagan-oriented, immoral, and turbulent times. They were all exhorted to stand firm in their faith and not give in to the world’s standards (which change with every generation). This is true for us today. And we are to become more Christ-like as we mature in faith, not more secular as we live in the world.
Knowledge. How can we form a deeper understanding of anything unless we choose to learn. Learning comes from reading and listening. God gave us knowledge in His Word – the Bible. Are we reading? Are we studying? Are we ignoring the Old Testament and therefore not receiving the “whole counsel of God?” Are we asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to what we need to be taught?
We need to position our inner selves in humility, recognizing that we do not know everything, that we know so very little, and that we desire more knowledge of Him.
Self-Control. Very difficult in this age of instant gratification. It is the opposite of excess. There certainly are times when I want something and I want it now. It could be a purchase, it could be fixing the house, it could be food. Sometimes I pout and complain. But with God’s intervention, I do not base my happiness on acquiring things or doing things on my own time table. Self-control can be about so many different issues. Some people struggle with various addictions. Some people struggle with learned behavior. Some people have changed some of the behaviors of the past (BC – before Christ) only to find themselves drawn right back to those paths. No matter what it is, acknowledge that we cannot do it by ourselves. Ask God to help. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to work within to effect the change that God wants in your life.
Perseverance. Perseverance is the ability to continue in the faith no matter our circumstances and to resist any teachings (laws and conventional attitudes) that are contrary to God’s law. Will we stumble? Of course. But with God’s grace and strength we can persevere (continue). It is the never giving up that is important. It is the desire that God sees in our hearts.
Godliness. Part of this is continued devotion to our Lord. It starts with faith in a supreme Lord then becomes more personal. It is the desire to know more about Jesus. It is the wanting to be like him. It is changing our minds and heart so that our behaviors match God’s will. It is the fruit of the Spirit manifesting in our lives. It is the deliberately standing up for what is “right” when society calls evil good and good evil.
Mutual Affection or Brotherly Kindness. Be kind to each other. Do not be judgmental yet help each other toward God. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in each person the way he wants to and in the time he chooses. Every person is on their own Cross Walk and faces individual obstacles we may know nothing about. Extend grace to them as you have been given grace.
Love.. This is the final virtue listed and is the glue that holds everything else together.
Colossians 3:14 says, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” And as Victor Hugo says in Les Misérables, "To love another person is to see the face of God.”
[In closing] The eight steps in 1 Peter 5-7 represent the active nature of our Cross Walk as believers. It begins with faith and ends with love and all the while surrounded by hope. It is a progression in maturity. It is a continuing process. Like walking up a staircase, if you miss one, you may stumble. If you miss one of the steps, the next higher is harder to attain. We are to “make every effort” to pursue these virtues; walk up that staircase. Effort is active; it is choosing; it is Active Submission to God’s will.
This is part of our Cross Walk. Just like it takes physical muscles to walk up a flight of stairs, it takes spiritual muscle to walk up these steps toward Christ. It is the road to maturity and will help us be more productive and effective as believers.