A Call to Ignite Church: Pursue a Godly Life

2 Peter 1:5-12

Church family, we need to hear something that Peter understood deeply. A godly life does not drift into existence. It does not appear through good intentions or spiritual talk. It must be pursued. It must be cultivated with commitment, humility, and consistency. In Pursuit of a Godly Life, I wrote that “spiritual maturity is not measured by how long you have been saved, but by how intentionally you walk with Jesus every single day.” That is exactly what Peter is telling us.

Peter calls us to apply all diligence. Growth demands effort. A casual Christian will never become a godly one. God supplies the power, but He invites us to pursue it. Church, this means we cannot afford to be spiritually passive. We must resist the comfort that keeps us stuck and the distractions that weaken our focus.

Peter lays out a ladder of spiritual growth. Faith is the foundation, but it cannot stay alone. In the book I wrote, “Faith is the spark, but obedience is the oxygen. Without both, the flame never becomes a fire.” Moral excellence calls us to reflect God’s character in a world that celebrates compromise. Knowledge anchors us in Scripture because a church without the Word is a church without direction. Self-control teaches us to master our desires, not be dominated by them. Perseverance strengthens us for the moments when obedience is costly. Godliness draws our affections into deeper reverence. Brotherly kindness keeps unity alive. And love crowns the entire structure.

When these qualities are increasing, Peter says we will be fruitful. A growing church is a fruitful church. In Pursuit of a Godly Life, I said, “A stagnant believer becomes a stagnant church member, and a stagnant church eventually forgets its mission.” That is why spiritual growth is not an accessory to the Christian life. It is essential for the health of the entire body.

Peter also warns us. The one who lacks these qualities is blind and forgets what Jesus saved him from. Church, this happens when we drift. When we stop pursuing godliness, we begin slipping back into the patterns God already redeemed. I wrote in the book, “The greatest danger to a believer is not the world around him, but the apathy within him.” When we lose urgency, we lose clarity. When we lose clarity, we lose holiness.

Peter urges us to be diligent to make our calling and choosing sure. Our pursuit does not save us, but it confirms that the Spirit is truly at work in us. A growing believer stands firm. He stops stumbling over the same sins. He begins to walk with confidence because obedience strengthens assurance.

Peter ends by reminding believers of truths they already knew. Church, we also need reminders. We forget. We drift. We grow weary. That is why God calls us to stay intentional, stay alert, and stay rooted in Scripture.

Ignite Church, this is our path. Pursue a godly life with diligence. Build on your faith. Strengthen your character. Stay in the Word. Discipline your desires. Endure trials with faith. Walk closely with Jesus. Love your brothers and sisters deeply. In the book I wrote, “A godly church is built one godly man and one godly woman at a time. Revival starts in the heart before it ever reaches the sanctuary.”

If we pursue this together, we will be a church that is fruitful, faithful, and unshakable in a culture marked by instability. Let us seek a godly life with passion and perseverance, trusting that the God who began a good work in us will complete it.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Jody