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For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control\u2026 (2 Peter 1:5-6a)

Self-Control is one of the few virtues in Peter\u2019s list that lines up with Paul\u2019s Fruit of the Spirit. \xa0It is undoubtably a good gift of God, but it can be a double-edged sword. \xa0Much like our discussion of \u201cknowledge\u201d yesterday, the danger is that self-control can \u201cpuff up\u201d our pride and self-righteousness rather than \u201cbuild up\u201d others in love. \xa0If this is the case, then we\u2019ve gone wrong somewhere. \xa0This list of virtues demands a grounding in faith that moves toward love, not self-righteousness. \xa0

There is a self-control which is the achievement of our own control and there is a self-control that arises from surrender to God\u2019s control. \xa0When self-control is our own achievement, we might find ourselves looking down on lesser Christians or people in society who can\u2019t seem to get it together. \xa0Having learned to master our own desires and impulses, we can grow impatient and grace-less with those who continue to stumble. \xa0We view ourselves as \u201cstrong Christians\u201d who have figured out the discipline of a moral and productive life\u2014a vantage point from which others look weak and in need of improvement. \xa0This prideful sense of control can spread from control of self to a desire to either control others, or to remove them from the well-controlled space of our church or community.

As Paul reminds us, self-control is not an achievement. \xa0It is a gift of the Spirit. \xa0A fruit born in the Christian life that is produced in us by the Spirit. \xa0The list that Peter gives brings even more definition. \xa0The self-control he speaks of arises from the ground of faith in Jesus who has given us every good gift, calling, and promise. \xa0This kind of self-control that submits to the gifts and Lordship of Christ culminates in a life of love. \xa0Self-control as a gift of God that rests on faith and arrives at love cannot be the sort that produces pride or a controlling or diminishing attitude toward others.\xa0

Now, the word for \u201cself-control\u201d that Peter uses does speak of a sort of lordship or dominion over something. \xa0In the Greek philosophers of the day\u2014including Aristotle\u2014this virtue of self-mastery was one of the most important. \xa0Yet, it only shows up rarely in the New Testament. \xa0The reasons? \xa0There is only one \u201cLord\u201d who holds \u201cdominion\u201d over our lives, and it isn\u2019t us. \xa0Self-control as a Christian virtue is not an exercise of our own lordship over our lives, it is a submission of our lives to the Lordship and mastery of Christ. \xa0

Furthermore, whereas in the Greek philosophers self-control often entailed a rejection of the material creation and all desire for it\u2014the Christian exercise of self-control is different. \xa0The Lord of our lives asks not that we reject his Creation or the desires he created us with, but instead that we submit these desires and our use of the Creation to him. \xa0

Self-control then, is submission to the Lordship of Christ. \xa0It is a steadfast keeping of the Creational boundaries he, the King, has given such that we can fully enjoy, work, and play as creatures within his Creation and enable others to do the same. \xa0This kind of self-control is self-surrendering, self-giving, and as an act of love for God, his Creation, and our fellow image-bearers\u2014it is also an act that continually points back\u2014not to our own control or achievements\u2014but to the gracious rule and gifts of the true King: Jesus Christ, Master of our lives.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:\xa0

Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Amen! (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18 MSG).

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