Fixed vs Growth: Effort and Adding to Faith

For a fixed mindset person, effort is viewed as fruitless. For them, everything should be effortless or it isworthless and a risk to their identity. A fixed mindset person with natural athletic ability will thrive, until confronted with a greater athlete—then their identity as a natural talent will falter, and they will give up.  A fixed mindset child transitioning from a breezy life of academic success in grade school will be shocked and then paralyzed by the increased demands of middle or high school, confronted with more children who are “smarter” or “better.”  Rather than risk failure, these children will give up:  they stop trying, they refuse to communicate with adults who are trying to help them learn and grow.  The required effort is viewed as a reflection of their inadequacy, an image they are unprepared to see.  But a growth mindset person responds differently.  A growth mindset athlete will “pick up their game” when faced with a strong competitor:  they will practice harder and longer, study techniques and strategies, learn from times when they are out-maneuvered.  They relish the opportunity to improve their game.  A growth mindset student, when confronted with a new and challenging academic environment, will actively seek out guidance and feedback on work.  They will explore new strategies, confer with successful peers, dedicate more time studying and refine their study habits.  Required effort is not a threat to a growth mindset person, but only an opportunity. 

2 Peter 1: 5 specifically uses the word “effort” and tells us “…make every effort to add to your faith….”.  This seems like an odd statement:  what can we add to faith?  While Ephesians 2: 8 and 9 reminds us that our salvation is only through faith in Christ, the follow on verse tells us that good works are a natural outgrowth of the grace and faith we receive from God.  The last verses in Ephesians 2 tell us that we are members of God’s household, “joined together…built together to become a dwelling in which God lives….”.  Again, there is “process” language here:  joined, built, to become.  In John15: 12 – 16, Jesus tells His disciples that they are now His friends, privy to insight into His plans and work on earth.  Our efforts do not add to our salvation, but we are privileged to serve beside Christ our Master in His kingdom-work.  This is our opportunity for growth.  This is where effort is required.  This is why each of us is given an allotment of time on earth—7 days, 7 years, 17 years or 70 years—to serve God by serving others, or to be served by others in Jesus’ name.

1)      Read 2 Peter 1: 3 – 11.  According to verses 3 and 4, we have been given everything needed for a godly life through God in Christ, who called us by His goodness and assures us with His promises that we will not be corrupted by the world.  How does the phrase “everything we need for life and godliness” encourage you when you consider the daily effort involved in living a God-pleasing life?  See also Hebrews 13: 20-21.

2)      2 Peter 1: 5 through 7 lists attributes we are to add to our faith.  The phrase “for this reason” ties our effort back to verses 3 and 4.  How are these attributes related to a godly life in Christ?  What would faith look like without goodness, self-control godliness, etc.?

3)      According to verse 8, what is the point of developing this qualities?  What does verse 9 say about the person who refuses to develop these qualities?

4)      Verses 10 and 11 link our efforts in developing goodness, kindness etc. to the surety of our calling.  This is not surety before God, but reassurance in our own hearts.  What does this passage say about our efforts to grow in godliness?

5)      Peter has a consistent message about godly living in his epistles.  See also 1 Peter 2: 11 through 17.  What is another reason to develop characteristics such as kindness and self-control?