2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A couple of years ago I sat at a high school basketball game and watched as a player caught the ball on a dead run, knifed between a pair of defenders, and deftly flipped the ball off the backboard an into the basket – with his left hand. While in one sense it was just one of several dozen baskets scored in the contest; in another sense, it was remarkable because I happened to know that player is right handed – because that player happened to be my son!
How does a ball player acquire the ability to use his weaker and less coordinated hand in that way? The answer, of course, is “by practice.” The only way to develop that skill is by practicing hundreds and hundreds of left-handed lay-ups – that is, by investing time and effort in an intentional process of growth.
In his book, “Outliers”, best-selling secular author Malcolm Gladwell describes what he calls the “10,000 hour Rule.” He suggests that it takes about 10,000 hours of focused and intentional effort to become “great”, or at least highly proficient at some task or endeavor. That’s roughly 3 hours a day for 10 years. He claims to see the 10,000 hour principle at work in the success of both “The Beatles” in the 1960’s as well as Bill Gates in the 70’s and 80’s. Both, according to Gladwell, met the 10,000 hour criterion.
Now our interest today is not in rock music or computer software - nor in achieving financial or professional success. Our interest is in spiritual change. And we have seen that change begins in our hearts and minds as God establishes our identity in his own grace. But we also see that change involves intentional effort as we grow toward spiritual maturity.
Peter writes:
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In other words, I think Peter is saying that while salvation is by grace alone and cannot be earned or achieved, spiritual growth and change requires intentional effort!
Furthermore, Peter seems to suggest that the spiritual character traits he mentions – goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love, are what God wants for all of us. He’s saying that every Christian is expected to grow in all of these spiritual characteristics! There are no exceptions for those of us who are “naturally” impatient! There is no “waiver” for those of us who struggle to control our words when we are angry. Peter is saying that spiritual change is not the exception, it is the expectation for every Christian.
So where do we start?
In his book, “The Divine Conspiracy,” author Dallas Willard writes, “The place where you most need to be conformed to the image of Christ is the place where you are least like him.”
Take another look at Peter’s list of spiritual character traits. Which is your “problem area?” Which trait would those who know you best say is the greatest growth area for you?
Is it “self-control”?
It’s interesting to me that Peter mentions “self-control” – it was clearly one of his own growth areas as a disciple!
Would it be “perseverance”?
How about “kindness”?
I believe God is telling us that he wants us to learn to shoot left-handed lay-ups, spiritually speaking. He wants us to know that growth is not only possible, but expected. But he wants us to know that this kind of growth is not easy, and does not come naturally. It begins with faith; with the experience of his grace; but it requires intentional and sustained effort on our part.
Ask God to show you attitudes and behaviors where he would like to produce growth and change in your life. Then commit yourself to a process of intentional prayer, study, personal discipline and spiritual conversation with others that God can use to produce that change!
Pastor Brian Coffey
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