Jesus in the General Epistles (6)
Pray Psalm 34.1-3.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together
Sing 34.1-3.
(Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the LORD at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus—Him we gladly all adore!
Refrain v. 3
Magnify the Name of Jesus! Let us lift His Name in praise!
Read and meditate on 2 Peter 1.5-11.
Preparation
1. To what must we give all diligence?
2. What is promised to those who do?
Meditation
We do not expect the Kingdom of God to be the universal experience in this world. In the next, yes, exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask, imagine, or hope to realize in this life. But real progress and presence of the Kingdom can be known, especially in our own lives. And a deeper and more wondrous and glorious “entrance” to the Kingdom will be “supplied” to us as we give all diligence to obtain it.
In our text, we see a progression, from soul to body to life, which can guide us in seeking the Kingdom and righteousness of God. The Kingdom makes progress in this way, by transforming the soul and life so we become vessels of grace to the world (2 Cor. 4.15). The world is changed, if only a little or by increments, to the extent that we give all diligence to what Peter outlines here.
Let us take virtue, τὴν ἀρετήν, tain ahretain, as pertaining to the heart, keeping the heart with all diligence (Prov. 4.23) so that true and noble affections take root and flourish there in all excellence and uprightness. Knowledge, then, indicates growing in the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2.16), and self-control points to the conscience and the default values which direct the will for truth (1 Tim. 1.5). What bounty of goodness might issue from a holy heart, a Christ-filled mind, and the truth of God’s Word in all areas of life! We must persevere in nurturing these inner qualities so that they might be consistently expressed in words and deeds, in the form of love for God and our neighbors. This is how we bear fruit and enter more deeply and truly into the rule of King Jesus for our lives. And it’s how the Kingdom comes on earth as in heaven.
Can the Kingdom of God make real, lasting, and transforming progress in this world? Indeed, it can. But it must begin and continue in each of us who, following the commandment of our Lord, seek the Kingdom of God as the defining priority of our lives (Matt. 6.33).
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.To share Christ with another person is a wonderful thing. It is wise, loving, kind, generous, gracious, and caring. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11.30).
But there are other aspects of the Christian life that we tend to overlook; and Peter, in today’s passage, is trying to clear up that oversight. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1.2-4).
We have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness, so that we can be partakers of the divine nature; and if we pursue these things and do them we will never stumble. And an entrance will be supplied to us abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1.10, 11).
So what are these things that we are called to do, and if we do, we will walk humbly, determinedly, and stably?
Well, Peter says this: “For this very reason” (2 Pet. 1.5), the reason of holiness and assurance, give these things your most diligent and best effort.
Peter’s list of “Things”:
1. Faith (Heb. 11.1, 6)
2. Virtue (Ps. 119.112; Ex. 20.1-10)
3. Knowledge (Prov. 1.7; Ps. 111.10)
4. Self-control (Gal. 5.19-25)
5. Perseverance (Lk. 9.62; Rom. 5.1-4)
6. Godliness (1 Pet. 1.16)
7. Brotherly kindness (1 Jn. 5.2)
8. Love (1 Cor. 13; Jn. 14.15)
His favorite things certainly surpass raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens; but are harder to come by.
Truly, our only hope for attaining these “things” is the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. But happily, that is something God is more than willing to bestow. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Lk. 11.13).
Jesus’ plan for building His Church is to sign up folks full of these “things” to Advance His Kingdom.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…
for He Himself is our peace” (Eph. 2.10).
Full of His grace and peace, setting our hearts on life and godliness, we are fully set for advancing His Kingdom, in His righteousness, when it is the “first” thing that we seek (Matt. 6.33).
Reflection
1. How would you explain holiness to a non-Christian friend?
2. How would you explain the pursuit of holiness to a new Christian?
3. How do you know when you are advancing in holiness?
In Christ all fullness dwells, and pardon, peace, grace, and knowledge, and new principles, are thus given through the Holy Spirit. The promises to those who are partakers of a Divine nature, will cause us to inquire whether we are really renewed in the spirit of our minds; let us turn all these promises into prayers for the transforming and purifying grace of the Holy Spirit. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 2 Peter 1.5-11
Pray Psalm 34.4-9.
Seek Jesus, today and every day. Praise Him for His holiness and help, His beauty and acceptance of our ugliness, His goodness to us who are so lacking in it. Devote your day to the Lord.
Sing 34.4-9.
(Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
When I sought the LORD, He answered and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
Refrain v. 3
Magnify the Name of Jesus! Let us lift His Name in praise!
When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
’Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
Refrain
Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
Refrain
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” wraps up our study of time and how to use it and turns next to consider the work we’ve been given to do. In our Read Moore column, we continue working through the book, Understanding the Times. And I encourage you to follow our Corsfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert, nicknamed “The Navigator.” Join us and find out why. Click the Articles tab on the home page to see all the selections available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
