Pastor’s Pen 10/17/2021

Pastor’s Pen 10/17/2021

Victory!

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”      2 Peter 1:3

We sing the song Victory in Jesus. The following is the first stanza: “I heard an old, old story How a Savior came from glory How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me I heard about His groaning Of His precious blood’s atoning Then I repented of my sins And won the victory.”  Most of us think of our salvation as our victory over death, and that is true. However, too many Christians believe that they cannot have victory over sin in their lives on this side of Heaven. I am not suggesting that you will be able to a life free of sin, but I am telling you that God has provided us everything we need to live holy and pleasing lives.  Peter writes, “but as he who    called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  since     it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). God would not command us to do something impossible.

In Peter’s second epistle, God reminds us that he has given us everything we need to live Holy lives and have victory over sin in our lives. Because of the promises made by God, we “may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire (v4)”. How do we accomplish this? Peter does not leave us in the dark. By Divine revelation, he gives us all we need,

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being            ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Christian, you should be striving to live a life filled with the seven qualities (David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, vol. 11, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 110.

Goodness (virtue)- can be understood in a general sense,  referring to moral excellence, or in a more restricted sense, referring to moral courage or strength.

Knowledge- refers to the divine truth that is the foundation of spiritual discernment and wisdom, and the truth is properly understood and applied. Which is having one’s mind accurately enlightened about the truth of Scripture

Self-control- describes the inner strength to control one’s desires and cravings. The believer, through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, is not to be a prisoner to any sinful desire or craving.

Steadfastness- in its most literal rendering means “to walk under the load.” This refers to the courage to deal with  the difficult times in life, perhaps a veiled reference to the dominant theme of suffering in 1 Peter.

Godliness- means reverence and obedience to God.

Brotherly affection- translates one Greek word, philadelphia, a common word used to describe relationships of love with a family. Brotherly kindness involves “bearing one another’s burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ. It means guarding that Spirit given unity from destruction by gossip, prejudice, narrowness and the refusal to accept a brother Christian who is what.

Love (agape) is a deliberate desire for the highest good of the person loved. It demonstrates itself in sacrificial action for that person’s good.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark

 

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