[:en]SCRIPTURE: 2 PETER 1
“Make every effort to add to you faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love” (2 Peter 1: 5-7)
Peter urged fellow brothers to make their calling and election sure by trusting the divine power for godliness in life. His Word can help us grow in His knowledge and in grace.
The growth in knowledge consist of several steps.
- Faith – when we accept Christ as our personal Savior
- Goodness – when we turn our old self to new creation
- Knowledge – when we have the moral discernment of right and wrong
- Self-control – when we can control evil desires surrounding us
- Perseverance – when we can endure sufferings and trials
- Godliness – when we live a godly life
- Brotherly kindness – when we show our concern and care for our brethren
- Love – when we love all the people that are created in God’s likeness.
PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURE
Peter knew that he will soon be leaving the earth. So, he wanted them to be grounded in the knowledge of God’s Word. He mentioned about his experience in the transfiguration at the sacred mountain. On the mountain, Christ revealed His glory. Moses represented believers who had died and Elijah represented believers who were caught away at the rapture without dying. The disciple represent the believing Jews who will see Christ’s glory when He returns.
Peter compared the prophetic Word as to a light shining in the dark place. The world is extremely dark. Only His Word can give us the true light.
Peter also emphasized that God spoke to men through prophecy carried by the Holy Spirit. Prophecy must not be isolated from the rest of the Scriptures. It must be understood as a whole.
LESSON:
When we come to know Christ through faith, we must know him personally. We need the Holy Spirit to change our old self to new nature. We also need God’s Word to develop our spiritual characteristics. The virtues are: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. Each virtue help us develop the next one. Let God’s Word be the light to guide us and His spiritual food to nourish us. Sart reading your Bible TODAY![:]