September 23, 2018

^"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;"  II Peter 1:5-6

Self-control is mentioned here as one of the graces that must be developed to work out the faith that God imparts to believers. According to Peter that faith gives us "everything we need for godliness".

Self-control is also listed among the gifts of the Spirit that are evidence of a life filled with the Holy Spirit.

Clearly, self-control, the ability to get a grip on your passions and emotions, is a sign of Christian maturity.

The are three options I have observed for dealing with life:

1) Self-Dedication

By this I refer to a totally self-indulgent life-style. This attitude of life not only lacks self-control but it has no desire for self-control.

A self-dedicated person gratifies every whim as often as possible. Whatever this person wants they get it.

Greed, lust and sensuality are al they live for.

2) Self-Medication

The lack of self-control characterized by the self-dedicated life leads to feelings of anxiety, loss of self-respect, shame, depression and addictions. In an attempt to deal with the emotional and psychological pain caused by self-indulgent behavior, a person will self-medicate with one or more of the following:

*Alcohol consumption 

*Food as comfort

*Eating disorders

*Exercise disorders

*Gaming (OnLine Gaming Anon) (1/10 young people)

*Internet activities (61% addicted – FB, Twitter, stock trading, gambling, etc)

*Prescription drugs (1/12 HS seniors– Vicodin 1/20 — OxyContin)

12-17 year-olds abuse prescription drugs more than ecstasy, heroin, crack/cocaine and meth combined.

*Substance abuse (cigarettes, marijuana, meth, cocaine, etc)

*Sexual promiscuity

*Gambling

*Spending

Unfortunately, these behaviors not only fail to help you get a grip on life but instead get a grip on your life.

3) Self-Control

Of course, this is the only acceptable life-style for Christ-followers. Rejecting a life of self-indulgence and a life of self-medication takes a strength greater than you have.

How then do I achieve the self-controlled life?

That will be answered over the next several blog posts. But for now, which life-style most characterizes you?

What has a grip on you?

Lust?

Greed?

Addiction?

September 22, 2018

^"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control"  II Peter 1:5-6

God, through Christ, has given you everything you need for godliness. That is amazing truth!

Now it is up to you to allow God's Spirit to develop these graces to live out through your attitudes and actions. Peter urges you to "bend every energy" toward adding to your faith. The word for "add" means to support what God wants to accomplish.

You are to add to your faith moral courage to choose what is right and the practical knowledge to discern what is right.

To "goodness" and to "knowledge" you are to add "self-control".

Uh, oh! That's a tough one!

According to William Barclay, the word used for "self-control" means literally "the ability to take a grip of oneself".

Do you have a grip on yourself?

Are you in charge of your emotions or do your emotions get the best of you?

Which has a stronger hold on you faith or feelings?

The battle between reason and passion IS the struggle of the human condition. No one really wants to live and indifferent life devoid of passion. Nor should you live an indulgent life 

giving in to every passionate desire.

Bringing these two in balance is further complicated for a Christian who has a sinful will at war with the Spirit of God. This is a struggle you are probably familiar with. The great Apostle Paul was and expressed it like this:

^"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:15-25

As you identify with the frustration expressed in these verses, take hope from the knowledge that both Paul and Peter discovered how to live with great passion under the grip of self-control!

Are you struggling to get a grip on your emotions? 

Do you find yourself still struggling to balance passion and reason?

In the meantime, yield your struggle to the Holy Spirit and lean on His strength!

Heart Knowledge

"Make every effort to add to your faith goodness and to goodness, knowledge...." II Peter 1:5

The knowledge that is required to strengthen your faith is a practical faith that arises out of a relationship with Christ.

To have this knowledge you need to begin with a head knowledge. But also you need a HEART knowledge.

Jesus prayed for that:

John 17:20-25 -  “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.

The Apostle Paul thought it is important:

II Corinthians 4:6 – “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Romans 5:5 – “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Peter had a heart knowledge of Jesus. I am sure he remembered fondly of the encounter he had with the resurrected Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus tenderly reassured him that He had forgiven Peter and that He stilled believed in him! That day Peter was restored and called back to ministry. It was after that day he had his greatest ministry because now he had not just a head knowledge of Christ but a heart knowledge as well!

THE GOAL OF HEART KNOWLEDGE IS TO KNOW THE HEART OF GOD!

You can’t know God well until you get your heart right! Is your heart right?

The knowledge you want to add to your faith is a HEAD knowledge and it is also a HEART knowledge but what you really need is a HOLY knowledge!

Peter knew about that, too!

I Peter 1:13-16 – ^“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

As he wrote these words to these early Christians I am sure he was fondly remembering that day in the upper room when the Holy Spirit fell upon him and the other 119 Christians who were there. He must have had a warm feeling as he recalled preaching under the anointing of the Spirit and how 3,000 responded to his words by accepting Christ!

It is good to have a HEAD knowledge of God. It is even better to possess a HEART knowledge of Him, but the fulfillment of those levels of knowledge only comes when you receive a HOLY knowledge!

Do you have that holy knowledge? Have you received the Holy Spirit? Is your will surrendered to His will so His Spirit can fill you?

THE GOAL OF A HOLY KNOWLEDGE IS TO KNOW THE HOLINESS OF GOD!

September 20, 2018

“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness and to goodness, knowledge….” II Peter 1:5

According to, William Barclay, the original Greek word used for knowledge is “gnosis” a practical knowledge, that knowledge which enables a man to decide rightly and to act honorably and efficiently in the day to day circumstances of life.

It is easy to think that knowledge is the key to gaining access to all the good things God wants you to have. Most world religions teach you some version of this idea - the way to God is through meditation and enlightenment. Unfortunately, some Christians buy into that notion.

Peter teaches just the opposite. In the first few verses of this chapter he stresses the truth that when you received Jesus as Savior you also received everything you need to live a godly life. So, the purpose of knowledge when added to moral courage, is to help you know how to live out what God has put in.

You must know it so you can grow in it so you can show it!

What do I need to know about knowledge?

You Need A Head Knowledge

Here’s your “head” start:

Romans 12:1-2 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

II Corinthians 5:17 –“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”

You need to know God and You can’t know God well until you get your mind right! You can't get your mind right without a knowledge of the Word and a personal relationship with Christ.

Peter must have been thinking how he got to know Jesus after he left his nets and began following Him. Peter heard the teachings, marveled at the parables, beheld the miracles and then declared in an inspired moment, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!"

By following Christ, Peter gained knowledge of Who He was!

That is how you will know Him and how I will know Him. Paul said, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing from the Word of God!"

Have you gotten your head right? Do you know Who Jesus is? Are you learning form His Word?

THE GOAL of HEAD KNOWLEDGE IS TO KNOW THE MIND OF GOD!

Moral Courage

"make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge" II Peter 1:5

Do you find it hard to grasp the fact that God has actually given you EVERYTHING you need to live a godly life?

Well, it is true! Peter says so in this great portion of Scripture!

Now it is up to you to accept that truth by faith and begin to act upon it.

So, Peter says, "add to your faith goodness". The word for "add" means to "lavishly support". Support what? You support what God wants to build into your faith.

"Goodness" means "moral courage". If you are going to strengthen your faith you obviously must have the courage to apply your faith to your every day living.

How do you know what to do?

By adding "knowledge" to you faith.

According to, William Barclay, the original Greek word used for knowledge is a practical knowledge, that knowledge which enables a man to decide rightly and to act honorably and efficiently in the day to day circumstances of life.

Your faith grows when you know what God wants you to do in a certain situation and you find the courage to do it.

All the great heroes of faith in the Bible had to make courageous decisions to do what they knew was right.

• Abraham knew he had to leave his homeland even when he did not know where God would take him. He courageously left and followed God.

• Moses knew he had to raise his rod over the Red Sea even though many of his people were doubting him. He courageously raised his rod.

• David went charging toward Goliath with just a sling and five stones because he knew the giant had to pay for blaspheming of God. David showed courage!

What do you know you should do but haven't had the moral courage?

Will you add to your faith goodness and to your goodness knowledge?

September 18, 2018

"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;"  II Peter 1:1-5

This great portion of Scripture written by the Great Apostle, Peter, elaborates on the amazing possibilities from an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through faith.

Think about it!

You can have a faith as precious as ours!

You can have grace and peace...... in abundance!

You can have everything we (you) need for a godly life!

You can have him who called us by his own glory and goodness!

You can have His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires!

You can add to your faith, goodness!

You can add to your faith and goodness, knowledge!

As amazing as all these blessings are - there are even more! And Peter not only promises you can enjoy ALL these wonderful graces but he even shows you how to get there!

Thinking about how good life in Christ can be I have to look at the dangerous condition of the world around us and wonder, "How did we get here?"

If you were to ask Peter, "How did we get here?" I'm sure Peter would point to this Scripture and say without hesitation, "You got HERE, because you didn't get THERE!"

Will you make every effort to get THERE?

September 17, 2018

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" Hebrews 9:27

You are familiar with the old truism that only two things are for sure - death and taxes. I suppose if you are in a certain income bracket and can find enough deductions and a good accountant, you might possible avoid your tax liability. However, there is no way to escape dying.

With that in mind I want to share with you four mostly commonly held ideas within our culture.

1) Soul Sleep

2) Reincarnation

3) Annihilation

4) Heaven or Hell

Soul sleep is a position held primarily by members of the Seventh Day Adventists or the Jehovah's Witnesses.

The proponents of the soul sleep position have two premises. First, they hold that at death the soul does not leave the body; both soul and body sleep until the Day of Christ’s return. Second, they teach that the soul has no consciousness as it sleeps; it is aware of nothing. What is the basis for these two premises? They base their argument primarily on passages that speak of death as sleep (or unconsciousness) and passages that speak of bodies awakening on the Last Day.

Proponents of this view hang their position on three verses that refer to death as sleep, but the word used in the Greek for sleep is taken figuratively every other time it is used. The vast evidence of Scripture clearly implies that at death there is a separation of the soul and the body.

The death of Jesus illustrates that the soul departs the body at death. Ephesians seems to indicate that upon His death Jesus went to the lower regions since he died as a sinner and his body was sealed in a tomb guarded by Roman soldiers.

Reincarnation originates in Eastern religions and teaches that life recycles into another form until it finally is able to rid itself of bad karma and merge into nirvana with the cosmic consciousness. In Western thought, the soul is thought to evolve to a higher or lower life form based on how you behaved during this reincarnation.

The writer of Hebrews speaks directly to any notion of reincarnation when he states flatly "it is appointed unto man ONCE to die and after that the judgment"

I am not sure where the idea of annihilation comes from. We believe the Bible clearly teaches that once life begins at conception that life is eternal. Though it changes form from the womb to the world into eternity, it continues to exist. Our verse from Hebrews also suggests that life continues following physical death.

Without going too deep into the Bible I can think of the encounter Jesus had with his deceased friend, Lazarus in Bethany. Lazarus had already been departed from his body four days when Jesus came and raised him from the dead. If Lazarus had ceased to exist upon his death Jesus would have had to recreate him and not resurrect him. I also think of what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration where Peter, James and John saw both Elijah and Moses appear with Jesus. Both of them had been gone quite awhile before they appeared on the mountain with Jesus. If they had gone out of existence they would not have been able to appear there.

Overwhelming Scriptural evidence supports the idea that upon death the soul leaves the body and goes either to Heaven or to eternal torment in Hell. In the word of the classic board game, Monopoly "go directly to eternity and don't pass 'go'".