Growing in Godliness in a Godless Age

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” —2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

Some days it feels like you’re swimming upstream.

As followers of Christ, we often find ourselves pushing against strong cultural currents—streams that pull us away from truth, humility, and hope. And in those moments, it’s easy to feel exhausted, even discouraged. 

Peter knew what that felt like. He wrote his second letter to believers facing cultural confusion and spiritual drift. But instead of panic, he offers something else: a bold reminder of what we already have in Christ. He is keenly aware of the tension between truth and cultural preference. Rather than condemning or encouraging hand-wringing, Peter begins with words of hope and clarity.

We Already Have What We Need

Peter’s bold encouragement in verse 3 is this: You already have what you need.

Those words are a timely reminder. We don’t have to be spiritual superstars. We don’t have to fight culture on our own strength. God’s divine power gives us “everything we need for life and godliness.” Now that’s great news for those of us who swim against cultural currents. 

God’s Pattern: Provision in Pressure

Think of Daniel. Living in Babylon, surrounded by pagan values and pressure to conform, he didn’t panic. Nor did he isolate himself. Instead, he drew on what God had already formed in him—conviction, humility, courage. The result? He influenced kings without losing his soul.

We see this pattern again and again in Scripture:

• Moses protested his inadequacy, but God reminded him, “I will be with you.”
• Gideon felt weak and insignificant, but God said, “Go in the strength you have.”
• Paul, facing cultural hostility on every side, wrote, “His grace is sufficient for me.”

As a follower of Jesus, we are thankful that our sins are forgiven. However, we are not saved just to survive. We are empowered to grow. We are not victims of the culture around us. We’re participants in a divine calling that transforms us from the inside out.

But growth isn’t automatic. Peter calls us to “make every effort” to grow in godly character—virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. These aren’t just moral checklists. They’re radical acts of resistance—countermoves to a culture bent on self-indulgence and distraction.

Godliness Is the Resistance

Consider this:

• In a world fueled by outrage, self-control is a quiet revolution.
• In a culture obsessed with self-image, humility is countercultural.
• Where cynicism rules, hope and perseverance shine like a beacon.

A Christian leader I know recently chose to publicly apologize—not for something scandalous, but for a careless word spoken in frustration. He didn’t minimize, spin, or justify his words. He owned them—with humility and clarity. In a cancel culture, that kind of integrity stands out. It was a small and courageous act—profoundly godly.

Peter’s point is clear: If you keep growing in these things, you won’t be ineffective or unfruitful in your faith (v. 8). The more we practice godliness, the more visible Christ becomes through us.

We’re Not Just Holding On—We’re Pressing In

There’s a difference between surviving tension and being formed by it.

Peter doesn’t tell us to escape the world or rage against it. He urges us to press into Christ, who empowers us to grow. And in that growth, we don’t just survive—we shine. We become fruitful and unshaken, even as the world lets go of truth.

REFLECT

1.  Which of Peter’s character qualities (vv. 5–7) do you most need to cultivate right now?

2. What’s one small way you can reflect godliness in your current setting—family, workplace, community?

3. How does knowing you’ve already been given everything you need for godliness change your outlook?

4. Who around you might be encouraged by seeing godly character lived out—not perfectly, but consistently?