We can do it.

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:8

Peter established that a string of character qualities born out of the actions of a Christian’s daily life will result in effective and fruitful Christian living. To be a Christian involves faith (2 Peter 1:5), character (2 Peter 1:5-7), and the evidence of continually growing visible fruit in the believer’s walk (2 Peter 1:8). All three flow from faith in Christ (2 Peter 1:1), grace and peace in the knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:2), and are the naturally expected confirmation of God’s election of us (2 Peter 1:10).

The power to do these things comes from God Who has granted us all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). His Word shows us what we need in order to live this way and combat sinful desire (2 Peter 1:4). It can be done. We can fight sin, grow in Christian character, and live productive Christian lives for the glory of our God and Savior.

I love that Peter does not give one second of sympathy to our fallenness. Instead, he celebrates our great Savior and the powerful work He has done in our salvation from election, to faith, to redemption, to our sanctification. Then Peter calls us to actively apply that truth that we believe in a personal application of sanctification... to believe and to add to our belief the character and activity that is consistent with the work Jesus has already done in us. We can do it, not by our own power, but because Christ has already done it and continues to work in us by His great power.