Disclaimer: I wrote this over a year ago, and have shared it with a few people already, but thought it would be a good first post. I don't claim to know everything, so please, let me know what you think. :) I would love to be sharpened.
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
2 Peter 1:1-11. (Pastor spoke on this today)
Verse 3 says;
"His divine power has given us everything* we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
now listen to verse 4;
"Through these he has given us his great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
one such promise is found in Romans 6:14
"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."
So, God has been pressing upon me to practice what I preach. He has been showing me through others how much it matters. Our attitudes must be above reproach. How can we teach someone something we do not know? You can be above reproach in your actions, but if your attitude stinks, what good is it?
We should do right, not just because it is right, but because we love the One who calls us to do it.
In 1 Peter 3:15 it tells us;
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
If we have really set apart Christ in our hearts as Lord, then giving and answer as they did in Acts 4:20, will not be hard.
'But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.' verse 16
People are watching. Not really to see how good you are; but watching for a slip up, a crisis, or trouble to come upon you. They are watching your attitude. How you respond, not just to the trials, but to each other.
Jesus said the world would "know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
Our love must not come from our heads; it must come from our hearts.
Character could be defined as the attitude of our life. If we are to have Christ's character-which springs from our attitude to reflect our hearts-should not it be above reproach?
To do this may seem impossible, but look again at verse 3 [of 2 Peter 1]. He has provided for your every need. We have to but ask, and he is more than able to deliver. He is Faithful. The question is, are you? Do you want to know him with the same passion of wanting to breath?
'Through our knowledge of him..'
There is a difference between knowing about someone, and truly knowing that person. I want to know him intimately. How about you?
