In his final letters before being martyred, the apostle Peter was determined to strengthen the faith of believers around the world. He longed for them to persevere with courage, overcome with confidence, and remain faithful to Christ. He promised that those who earnestly pursue spiritual growth will receive an eternal reward. Peter reminds us that through Jesus, God has invited us to become participants in His divine nature: “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

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When we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, we are reborn into a perfect inheritance that can never be destroyed. God’s divine nature implants within us everything we need in seed form—alive and growing forever—but it does not instantly translate into godly living. For this spiritual seed to flourish, it must be cultivated. As we grow and live in Christ, this grace-inspired expansion naturally manifests in righteous living.

 

As a basketball coach and leader throughout my career, I was deeply influenced by legendary UCLA coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, a framework built on timeless principles for personal and team excellence. I used it to help my players thrive both on and off the court.

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But a few years ago, while studying 2 Peter, the Holy Spirit revealed something greater: the seven qualities Peter lists in his second letter far surpass any human framework. He writes, “Make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” (2 Peter 1:5–7)

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We receive faith and access to these virtues in abundance through “the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:1) Peter urges us to add these qualities to our faith so that we may live holy lives, grow in the knowledge of Christ, and be fruitful in every good work.

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After much prayer and reflection, I began to visualize these virtues as steppingstones on a mountain path. This lifelong journey—what I call Climbing to Christlikeness—begins with faith at the base and ascends toward the summit, where the cross stands as the ultimate symbol of God’s love. There, Jesus poured out His precious blood as “liquid love” for the salvation of humanity. God is love, and love is the supreme mark of a life transformed by Christ.

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As a coach, I challenged my team to train hard, stay disciplined, and commit fully to becoming champions. But Scripture offers an even higher calling. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

 

Though we are saved by grace, spiritual growth requires diligence. Peter writes, “Make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10–11)

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This call to “make every effort” reminds us that spiritual maturity does not happen by accident. It is a process of learning to love, growing in grace, and becoming fully formed in the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit is our power source, and by
His strength, we are called to diligently pursue Christlikeness. 

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God’s promises and divine power are inexhaustible resources for living a godly life. But this new way of living requires more than a Sunday-only effort. God wants our whole hearts. He calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That means being “ALL IN”—falling in love with Jesus, seeking Him daily, and letting His Word shape our lives.

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The Bible is our instruction manual, but its transforming power is unlocked through close reading, prayer, and obedience. God and His Kingdom must be our first priority—our greatest passion—as we run the race He has set before us.
 

Climbing any mountain takes dedication, sacrifice, and training. Everyone loves the view from the top—but are we willing to make the climb?
 

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 that just as athletes train with discipline to win a prize, we too must run our spiritual race with purpose. He urges us not to live aimlessly, but to train our bodies and minds with self-control and intentionality, aiming for an eternal reward.
 

This kind of spiritual training demands more than casual commitment. It requires focus, sacrifice, and a heart set on the goal of becoming like Jesus. When we put our faith in God and rely on His power and grace, our human effort becomes

fruitful. We begin to ascend toward that ultimate mountain peak—where our lives reflect the love and likeness of Christ.

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This new nature from God is an incredible gift. But it also comes with a lifelong responsibility.

In conclusion, I want to be someone I am not yet. I want to do something I cannot yet do. So, join me by walking along the Golden Path to the cross. Let us climb together—step by step, virtue by virtue—until Christ is fully formed in us.

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