APRILTHE LETTERS OF PETER

PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”- 2 PETER 1:8

Why do we go to school, attend seminars, or buy self-help books? To absorb knowledge but never apply it? Of course not. We want to learn a new skill or improve on one we already have.

That’s essential because a skill left unused is likely to be lost. For instance, in the decades since high school, I have forgotten the fingering for the C-major scale on a clarinet, nor do I have the breath to play anymore. Because I have not practiced in a long time, I have become ineffective at something I once did well enough to be chosen for our all-state band.

Through faith, a Christian can acquire everything that is needed to be effective and fruitful in our knowledge of Jesus. 2 Peter 1:5-7 lists seven qualities that stem from faith in the Spirit’s power: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love.

Can we be perfect in all seven areas? No — but we should be growing and advancing in each. The seven steps resemble working out on a continual treadmill with increasing speeds on different terrains. While they form a basic values pyramid towards which the Christian community strives to excel, some may be easier to achieve than others.

As we rely on the Spirit and see growth in these areas, our knowledge of the Lord Jesus will have productive results. The world around us will take notice when our lives more skillfully match what we profess.

Lord Jesus, I am already known by you. As I come to know you more intimately and depend on you more fully, may the seeds you have planted in me grow to maturity so that I may be an effective and productive servant. Amen.

Go Deeper — Review the seven qualities mentioned above. Which one is easiest for you to manifest in the Spirit’s strength and which is hardest? Ask God to enable you to more faithfully manifest these qualities.

Made Himself Nothing

May we trust God enough to relinquish our will into His loving and capable hands.

Philippians 2:5-8

What kind of attitude should characterize a follower of Christ? If we take our cues from social media, television, or even small talk in the foyers of our churches, we might be tempted to become brash or even argumentative. After all, we have the sword of the Spirit and should be ready to use it, right?

But this is far from the attitude the apostle Paul encourages Christians to adopt. Rather than throw our weight around or loudly demand that our rights be respected, we are called instead to have the same attitude as Jesus Himself.

The remarkable, world-changing news is that God—our God—tempers the power inherent to His being, and He does this through perfect wisdom and love. Our Savior chose to empty Himself and take on the form of a servant. Jesus could have retained His position, equal to the Father. But instead, He chose to divest Himself of powers, rights, and privileges in order to serve the world. God did this for us. For all humanity and for all creation, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on the cross” (Phil. 2:8).  Mindful of Christ’s sacrifice, may we seek to emulate Him by serving others selflessly.

It Is Well…

Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them.

Isaiah 3:10

It is well with the righteous ALWAYS.

If it had said, “Tell the righteous that it is well with them in their prosperity,” we would be thankful for so great a blessing, for prosperity is an hour of peril. It is a gift from heaven to be safe from its snares. If it had read, “It is well with them when under persecution,” we would be thankful for such a comforting assurance, for persecution is hard to bear; but when no time is mentioned, all time is included.

God’s shalls must always be understood in their largest sense. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, from the first gathering of evening shadows until a new day dawns, in all conditions and under all circumstances, it will be well with the righteous. It is so well with him that we could not imagine it to be better, for he is well fed—he feeds upon the flesh and blood of Jesus; he is well clothed—he wears the imputed righteousness of Christ; he is well housed—he dwells in God; he is well married—his soul is knit in bonds of marriage to Christ; he is well provided for—for the Lord is his Shepherd; he is well endowed—for heaven is his inheritance. It is well with the righteous—well upon divine authority; the mouth of God speaks the comforting assurance.

O beloved, if God declares that all is well, ten thousand devils may declare it to be ill, but we may laugh them all to scorn. Blessed be God for a faith that enables us to believe God when the creatures contradict Him. It is, says the Word, at all times well with you, righteous one; then, beloved, if you cannot see it, let God’s Word assure you; believe it on divine authority with more confidence than if your eyes and your feelings told it to you. Those God blesses are blessed indeed, and what His lip declares is truth most sure and steadfast.