Many would offer advice to graduates.
- Your educator would tell you to get mor education. They are not wrong.
- Doctors will advise you to exercise, eat right and take your medicine. Nothing wrong with advice, except for vegetables.
- Bankers would recommend savings plans and investing for the future. They are also right.
Today I offer a simple governing principle and God’s recipe for living a useful, productive life.
First a principle that has governed my life. Paul offers a challenge. (Colossians 3:23)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”
Simple, but profound. Do everything as if you are doing it for God. Going to college? Take every class, author every paper, and approach every test as if you are doing it for God.
Going into the medical field? Every single patient, every big toe should be approached as if it is Jesus’ toe.
Everything should be done with Jesus in mind. It is work, for sure. Make it heartfelt. Do it well.
The Challenge for the Graduates: Live an Effective and Productive Life.
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. (2 Peter 1:8)
Peter is going to give us the simple math necessary to live a meaningful life, but first receive the promise. If we possess the right qualities, we can be effective and powerful. Our lives can matter if we allow his life to flow through us.
Want to avoid being useless and unproductive, do the math. Jesus called us to bear fruit, much fruit. (John 15) You are here for a reason. The qualities must be ever increasing in our lives.
The Reality: It is Hard Work
“For this very reason, make every effort…” (2 Peter 1:5a)
It does not happen quickly or in a vacuum. Make every effort speaks of the truth that we must work at it continuously. We can never say it is finished.
In a few weeks athletes from around the world will gather in Paris for the Olympics. They will have made every effort. Every movement of every muscle will be evaluated and improved. A fraction of a second will make all the difference.
Our efforts are so much more important than those. We must apply all diligence. Why? Peter speaks of “For this reason.” We work because of Jesus’ work on our behalf.
The Process: It is Simple. Do the Math! Add to….
“…add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” (2 Peter 1:5b-7)
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- Begin with faith.
We begin the walk with faith. The foundation of our spiritual walk is faith. We do not work for our salvation; we believe for it.
Our spiritual lives grow or die because of faith. Without works we are dead. We are to add the rest of the virtues to our faith.
Graduates, begin with faith. Trust God to lead you. Trust Him for your future.
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- Add Virtue. (Goodness)
To our faith we add virtue. Peter speaks of excellence of character. The NLT says we are to have a generous provision of moral excellence. We must be characterized by moral virtue.
Graduates be people of immense character. Be good. Do good.
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- Increase Knowledge.
To our goodness we must exercise discernment, awareness, intelligence, and insight. Peter is not referencing some secret knowledge available only to a few (ancient Gnosticism).
Graduates, display intense knowledge of God and His ways. If you lack wisdom, ask! James assures us that He will give it fully.
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- Escalate Self-Control.
In a world of choices, practice self-control. The world lies to you. It says you should do whatever feels good. Do what you want, what make you feel good. A life that matters begins with a mastering of your desires and possessions.
Graduates, bring every thought into obedience to Christ. Honestly look at yourself and your passions. What are your weaknesses. Bring them into obedience.
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- Expand Endurance. (Patience)
The journey will not be easy or quick. It will require perseverance and steadfastness. The word means to work under the load.
Graduates, you will have challenges. It will be hard work. Bear up under it and keep going. Add hard work to your faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, and patience.
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- Build up Godliness.
We must have a constant awareness of God’s holiness. We live with a knowledge of His presence in our lives, practicing authentic piety.
Graduates, God is on the throne, and He is always holy. Nothing can compromise that holiness. The world will tell you life is about your feelings, your desires. That is a lie. Live considering His character. Walk in Godliness.
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- Amplify Brotherly Kindness/Multiply Love.
You cannot stand alone. We are made to walk in fellowship. The church is flawed, but it is your home. Walk in selfless love for others. We stand unified when things would tear us apart.
Graduates, walk with others. Unite with God’s people in the fellowship of faith. Love others selfishly.
The Alternative: What if You Do Not Add These Virtues
But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. (1 Peter 1:9)
If you fail to do the math you are nearsighted and blind. You will miss the spiritual realities of the world. You will fail to be effective. Your life will not matter.
If you fail to do the math, you forget your past. You fail to remember what happened to your sin. You are purified. Act like it.
So, what will your life be? When it is done what will your life represent? Will your existence matter? You can make the decision. You can do the work necessary to grow in the virtues of God. Determine now that you will make a live a life that matters.
