“Keep Adding +++”
Introduction:
The contents in this passage of scripture is so pivotal to you as a Believer that the Apostle Peter says that if you allow these things to be manifested in you…
II Peter 1:8 - For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In other words, you will never be barren, unfruitful or lacking in the benefits associated with the name Lord Jesus Christ! HALLELUJAH!!!
So then, let’s hope in this thing and see what God breath through this Apostle.
2 Peter 1:1-8
1. Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Peter says to you, One - you’re walking in the same faith we’re walking in therefore, I speak grace and peace unto you. Unfortunately you can only experience the fullness of this by coming into the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
He goes on to say, yes it’s true that according to God’s divine power he has given us all things that pertain to both this life and the life to come and godliness (how to look like me (God of course)), but this too can only be experienced by the knowledge of him (God) who has called us for the simple reason of getting all the glory from our lives.
Peter further iterates the point by saying, God has given us not just great but exceeding great and precious promises. And if we can walk in them, we become candidates to experience his divine nature. And why not? – Seeing that He’s has already delivered you from the world of sin and clothed you in His righteousness.
Now Peter says you have heard the forgoing now let me tell you what it’s going to take to get this king of experience…
5. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Time To Rightly Divide – Let’s Break It Down (verses 5-8)
To work hard at; unfailing; not neglected; To be purposely passionate towards completion -
Proverbs 4:23
23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Hebrews 2:1
1. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
FAITH: Is Complete Trust and Confidence in God
VIRTURE: Moral goodness
Hebrews 11:6
6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Why Keep on “adding to your faith” - because the minute you stop growing, you start going backwards or downwards.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Philippians 4:8
8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Proverbs 31:10
9. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
III. And To Virtue - Knowledge
Insight into the things of GOD
Proverbs 1:7
7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Restraint, self-control and discipline
Galatians 5:22-23
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ability to put up with pain – trouble – difficulty – and hardship without complaint. Endurance or staying power
Romans 5:3-4
3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Hebrews 6:11-12
11. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hang on in there, deal with it, put up with – focus on the prize! Magnify Him over your situation!
Hebrews 2:1-3
1. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
So, then my question to you again is “Are You Drifting?” Let me help you –
VI. And To Patience - Godliness
Exemplifying God in your life-style; Comforting to his laws and wishes; Christ-like
1 Timothy 4:7-8
7. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Act of being kind and expressing generosity; In this case with the term “brotherly” it’s affectionate, compassionate and loyal as with a family member {Body of Christ} -
Colossians 3:12-14
12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Love Manifested; Benevolent actions for the needy;
I Cor 13:1-13
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Colossians 3:14
14. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Min Rickey E. Macklin