2 Peter 3:17-18 ESV You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. (18) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

No self-respecting government would send untrained civilians into battle. The military depends on trained soldiers. Their initial preparation is referred to as “basic training.” Those who enlist in the Lord’s army also need basic training. Two key ingredients that must be developed are growth in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We understand that there are things we need to know and to learn. But we also need empowerment to face the challenges before us.

The Apostle Peter lays out the stepping stones of basic training for the Christian. They center on these two themes with which Peter closes his epistle.

God’s Grace in Christ Is the Source of Godly Living

Every soldier is issued basic equipment to use during battle. Peter tells us we have been given everything we need “for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Because we know Him, He has infused us with divine power to live for Him. We also have been given “very great and precious promises” which provide all the encouragement and instruction we need to pursue holy living and to become more like Him. Christ has enabled us to break free from the corruptions in the world caused by evil desires. We can trust these provisions to see us through the fight.

Make Every Effort to Live a Godly Life

Of course, even the best equipment is useless unless we know how to use it and effectively put it to use. We must “make every effort” to add the qualities to our lives that will enable us to live for Christ and stand firm in battle. Faith in Christ is the foundation of the Christian life. It must be in place before we can build a godly life. But we must add virtue: courage, vigor, or energy as Albert Barnes suggests. The Christian life demands courage and energy. It also demands knowledge. We cannot tolerate complacency and ignorance in the ranks. We need self-control, the mastery of sinful appetites. Soldiers cannot act according to their feelings; they must be guided by their duty. We need steadfastness or patience, the ability to hang in there when the going gets rough (and it will). We need godliness, a deep reverence and respect for God and a desire to please Him. We need brotherly affection. We are a band of brothers and the bond between us must remain strong. We need love, the highest motivation we can express. This love is simply the acting in the best interests of others. It enables us to sacrifice and serve in the line of duty.

Military service demands discipline. This, the Apostle Paul tells us, is also necessary in the Lord’s army.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV)

Military service involves a chain of command and following orders. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 ESV) “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46 ESV) We don’t have to understand every detail of the plan; we just need to be willing to obey the Master.

Military service demands that we trust our training. Christ has provided the resources we need. He has established His church for training, encouragement, and service. He has commissioned leaders to train recruits. Let BASIC TRAINING begin.