Worthy Words

Here at week four we continue exploring seven characteristics of a godly life outlined in 2 Peter. “Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.” (2 Peter 1:5-7) The fourth quality is patience. This is the ability to endure. Last week’s self-control had to do with dealing with the pleasures of life, patience relates primarily to the pressures and problem of life. In a specific way this is the ability to endure problematic people. Paul describes it in Galatians 5 as “long-suffering.” More times than not the person who gives in to the pleasures of life is not disciplined enough to handle the pressures of life either and simply gives up.   Patience does not develop automatically. You have to work at it, just like James ...

This is week three as we are exploring seven characteristics of a godly life as outlined in 2 Peter. “Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.” (2 Peter 1:5-7) The third virtue is self-control or the KJV’s use of the word “Temperance” denotes personal restraint. In the root of that word is “temper.” Used as a noun it would jive with the phrase “control your temper” which is contextually correct. But even more meaning is derived from the root of the word used as a verb “to increase toughness.” This is done with metal and with glass when each is heated to a specific temperature then cooled at varying rates which result in increasing the toughness of the metal or glass making them more useful in adverse and stress-induced...

Last week we began exploring seven characteristics of a godly life as outlined by Peter in the first chapter of his second letter by adding to our faith moral excellence. “Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.” (2 Peter 1:5-7) Knowledge is now introduced as another element in our growth as Christ-followers. The literal meaning of the word suggests a knowledge that is a process of growing in practical knowledge or discernment. When you are putting your knowledge into practice you will develop the ability to handle life successfully. In fact, it is the opposite of the notion of being “so heavenly minded as to be of no earthly good!” It is what Paul recommends when he says in Ephesians 5:17; “Don't act thoughtlessly, but ...

The characteristics of a godly life are sevenfold and Peter list them as being goodness, knowledge, self-control perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). We are to add these qualities to our faith. A Christ-follower develops one quality while exercising another quality by providing more than is barely demanded in the process of spiritually growing through living out a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not enough Christ-follower to “let go and let God,” but it is essential to put forth the effort to work in concert with your heavenly Father in the development of these qualities. The first quality listed by Peter is “virtue” (NKJV) or some translations use the word goodness (NIV), or excellence more specifically (NLT) “moral excellence.” When you were in school and submitted a mid-term paper for a grade and it was returned marked not only “A+” but in red ink the word “Excellent” was inscribed next to it, the instructor’s additional note meant t...

Faith involves God’s promises. “He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:4) The Lord has given you all that you need for life and godliness, but he has also given you his Word to empower you in maturing your life in godliness. These promises are great because they come from a great God and they lead to a great life. They are precious because their value is beyond comprehension. Where would you be without the Word of God? Isn’t it time you begin taking your stand on his promises for your life?   Standing on the promises of Christ my King , through eternal ages let His praises ring, glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.   Standing on the promises that cannot fail , when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail , standing on the promi...