Hope in God
Well-Known Member
These threads have so very long at times, I will merely go with the first point and make a comment. Maybe this point was covered by another member, maybe not. Here goes.
2 Peter 1:5-7, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"
How important it is, as we grow in the Lord, to take these steps seriously. Notice that after one gets saved, he is to add to his walk virtue. How important that is, to hold the truth, not in unrighteousness, but righteousness (Romans 1:18). In other words, to hold to the truth with Christian character, dignity, honesty, goodness, decency, and trustworthiness. Next, we are to add to those virtues, knowledge, which demands a deep study of the Scriptures. Unfortunately, this is where so many believers stop the process for....
Once one gains knowledge and revelation, it is so easy to get puffed with pride, to feel like "I am the person and wisdom will die with me," to go around telling everyone what or why it is they are doing wrong, speaking wrong, or looking wrong (in attire, for instance), anything to show off one's few bits of knowledge. Everyone who comes within shouting distance gets admonished by these zealous individuals. Nothing can those around them do or say right. Always something needs straightened out.
This is why the next step is so very important. It is the addition of the one thing many believers never get around to adding, temperance. Control, discretion, forbearance, restraint, self-control and self-discipline are set aside because the wayward believer is far too intent on being the spokesperson for doctrinal correction.
This very important quality I did not have for many years, for, prior to finally being taught well, I had been duped into being a victim of several false doctrines and bad oversight. In my heart, I had so much hate for those who held me in their grasp for years that I was unwilling to forgive. Today, I pray for all of the church, and realize "except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Ps. 127:1)
2 Peter 1:5-7, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"
How important it is, as we grow in the Lord, to take these steps seriously. Notice that after one gets saved, he is to add to his walk virtue. How important that is, to hold the truth, not in unrighteousness, but righteousness (Romans 1:18). In other words, to hold to the truth with Christian character, dignity, honesty, goodness, decency, and trustworthiness. Next, we are to add to those virtues, knowledge, which demands a deep study of the Scriptures. Unfortunately, this is where so many believers stop the process for....
Once one gains knowledge and revelation, it is so easy to get puffed with pride, to feel like "I am the person and wisdom will die with me," to go around telling everyone what or why it is they are doing wrong, speaking wrong, or looking wrong (in attire, for instance), anything to show off one's few bits of knowledge. Everyone who comes within shouting distance gets admonished by these zealous individuals. Nothing can those around them do or say right. Always something needs straightened out.
This is why the next step is so very important. It is the addition of the one thing many believers never get around to adding, temperance. Control, discretion, forbearance, restraint, self-control and self-discipline are set aside because the wayward believer is far too intent on being the spokesperson for doctrinal correction.
This very important quality I did not have for many years, for, prior to finally being taught well, I had been duped into being a victim of several false doctrines and bad oversight. In my heart, I had so much hate for those who held me in their grasp for years that I was unwilling to forgive. Today, I pray for all of the church, and realize "except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Ps. 127:1)
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