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The Seven Qualities of a True Christian - 2 Peter 1:9-10

2 Peter 1:9-10
9For he who lacks these qualities (moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love) is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;



I included the qualities from verses 5-7 to remind you of the most important qualities that a Christian can strive to make a part of their lives.

  • Moral excellence - Striving to live a life free from sin.
  • Knowledge - Placing a priority on reading and studying the Scriptures.
  • Self-control - Disciplining yourself to say "No" to temping desires, even when no one is looking.
  • Perseverance - A determination to stay true to your faith, no matter what the circumstances.
  • Godliness - A desire to learn what God is like and adopt those characteristics into your own life.
  • Brotherly kindness - Seeking to show care, concern, and compassion for others.
  • Love - Acts of humble service and self-sacrifice that expect nothing in return.
In verse 9, Peter explains that if you read this list of qualities, and find that they don't describe you, then you have forgotten that you have been "saved" from a life that doesn't look like this. A round-a-bout way of saying that these are the qualities of a true Christian. Verse 10 states a command that might seem a bit odd at first.

10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you
Peter understood the doctrine of predestination, but it seems a little strange that if God chose you to be "saved", then you wouldn't need to do anything to help make that 'choice' certain. I took a closer look at the word for "make certain", and found that the word used here in the original can also mean to, "make firm" or to paraphrase, "to seal in your own mind". So the diligence is to practice these qualities so as to reinforce your "salvation" in your own mind, therefore strengthening your faith and helping you not to stumble in your walk.

Take a second to look at the above qualities and make an effort to improve on any you find yourself falling short on.




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