Here are a few more thoughts on the connections between the
things listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 and love in 1 Corinthians 13.
Step 1: Faith - (1 cor 13) vs. 2 - if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Step 2: Moral excellence (doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.) - vs. 6 - does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
Step 3: Knowledge - vs, 2 - if I know all mysteries and all knowledge, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Step 4: Self control - vs. 3 - if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Step 5: Perseverance - vs. 7 - love bears all things, endures all things, vs 4, Love is patient.
Step 6: Godliness - vs. 4-5 - love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered.
Step 7: Brotherly kindness - vs. 4 - Love is kind, vs. 5, Love does not seek it's own.
Step 8: Love - All seven of these things are pointless and useless if we do not have love.
So, why does Peter tell us to have these things? Well, he tells us in the next three verses:
2 Peter 1:8-10 - For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, 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.
There you have it. If you want never to stumble (sin) again than all you have to do is possess and increase in these things. Of course we aren't perfect (yet) so we cannot perfectly practice these things. But, we're told that we have to be increasing in these qualities. Once we go through the list, we have to start at the top again. It's like a staircase that's continually climbing upward. Once we think we're at the top, God will show us an area where we need to grow. I could be wrong, but I think that any area of our spiritual lives fits into one of these things.
When we practice these things, not only is God growing us toward perfection through them, but He makes us fruitful, and useful in the knowledge of Christ.
As long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.
Step 1: Faith - (1 cor 13) vs. 2 - if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Step 2: Moral excellence (doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.) - vs. 6 - does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
Step 3: Knowledge - vs, 2 - if I know all mysteries and all knowledge, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Step 4: Self control - vs. 3 - if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Step 5: Perseverance - vs. 7 - love bears all things, endures all things, vs 4, Love is patient.
Step 6: Godliness - vs. 4-5 - love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered.
Step 7: Brotherly kindness - vs. 4 - Love is kind, vs. 5, Love does not seek it's own.
Step 8: Love - All seven of these things are pointless and useless if we do not have love.
So, why does Peter tell us to have these things? Well, he tells us in the next three verses:
2 Peter 1:8-10 - For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, 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.
There you have it. If you want never to stumble (sin) again than all you have to do is possess and increase in these things. Of course we aren't perfect (yet) so we cannot perfectly practice these things. But, we're told that we have to be increasing in these qualities. Once we go through the list, we have to start at the top again. It's like a staircase that's continually climbing upward. Once we think we're at the top, God will show us an area where we need to grow. I could be wrong, but I think that any area of our spiritual lives fits into one of these things.
When we practice these things, not only is God growing us toward perfection through them, but He makes us fruitful, and useful in the knowledge of Christ.
As long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.
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