Consider for a second the greeting that Simon Peter gives in this letter: a general letter, to all those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours . The faith we have in Christ is not graded by class or virtue: for in the eyes of God we have neither.
Consider the works of men: we make wonderful things (and yes, a pile of driftwood is not the biggest or greatest thing we make) but the land we live in is greater and more beautiful.
Our equality in Christ is an equality of mercy. We have all erred. We all need to reform. We all need to do better each day, strive for self-control. I was shamed yesterday at a party by the Photographer who managed to stay within dietary restrictions she needs despite the food that arrived (including food she could eat) because she has a goal and will stick to it. We can and should use the examples of others to stir us along.
For we are commanded to strive more and more to have control of our lives, and to love each other. If we do not do this, we are blind.
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 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. For whoever lacks these qualities is so near-sighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 1:1-11 ESV)
Knowledge of Christ and the gospel is needed. We need to be looking into the scriptures, and we need to be reflecting on them, particularly if we do not like the conclusions. But knowledge, something that I am attracted to, is not enough.
If we do not control ourselves, remain steadfast in the faith, seek virtue, have affection for each other and love the kirk, which is the people, then we will be ineffective. And this requires training.
And training requires either a father or a mentor. (Mentor was the king Telemanchus sought out for guidance because his father, Odyessus, had not returned from the Trojan War).
Here our sisters are given clear teaching. Older women are to teach younger women how to love their husbands and children: Mothercraft and Wifedom. Neither are instinctual: both require training. But our young men are not being told how to live: and this requires men to show them: by word and example. Part of the reason that the manosphere has taken off is that the correct teaching they have (Get fit. Don’t spend your time on porn. Find your mission and do it. Don’t be a doormat: get a spine) is not being taought in the church.
For the fathers have been divorced, and the young man have absented themselves: even those of us who admire feminine skills don’t want to be around when they are being done, for risk of losing our man card.
We all need to be in training. There is no retirement. And our bodies, our minds, our hands, our words, and our actions have to be more and more like those of Christ. For our salvation is equal to that of the Apostles and fathers of our faith.
My fear is that we have forgotten this.