THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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A man founded a new college. Twenty-five years later he returned as the speaker for commencement.
After his introduction, he stood up. He put his thumbs in his suspenders, and patted his tummy.
Then he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I've watched this institution grow for twenty-five years. It is very near and dear to my heart."
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2 Peter 1:5-8
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.
KJV
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If we would know the fullness of faith, we must give all "diligence." Let us study the Scripture and follow God's instruction in obedience. Faith begins with simple trust in Christ and Him alone. But God would "add" to our faith stepping stones which make us "abound" in our relationship with Him and even in the world.
"Add" to faith - "virtue." First, God would add excellence, or valor.
"Add" to this - "knowledge." To have reverence for God is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7).
"Add" to this - "temperance," or self-discipline and self-control.
"Add" to this - "patience," or endurance and constancy.
"Add" to this - "godliness," or holiness and piety.
"Add" to this - "brotherly kindness," which is genuine affection to other Christians.
"Add" to this - "charity," which is benevolent love.
When a child is born, he/she will begin to GROW. Because of the careful attention of the parents, the child is fed and nurtured in order to grow properly.
When a person is born again, in Christ, he/she will also begin to GROW! This is the constant work of God's Holy Spirit IN us. He helps us to be fed and nurtured properly for growth in the purposes of God.
Yet it is also the result of OBEDIENCE through giving "diligence" to the things of God. Parents can help the child grow physically through instrumentation of proper diet and exercise. But children must have initiative to grow in knowledge and usefulness of that knowledge.
Likewise, let us draw our initiative from God's Holy Spirit and follow His leadership in growth. Thus we will never be "barren nor unfruitful" in our Lord's purposes for our lives.
Love ya,
Bruce