For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. (2 Peter 1:8-9 NKJV)
The Christian graces which we have to supply present themselves to the Apostle’s mind as the golden links of a chain or necklace, which begins with faith, and ends with love, so that faith and love clasp in the center (2 Peter 1:5-7).
The idea of
lavish expenditure is here associated with the word translated "supply"
(2 Peter 1:5-11). Among the ancient customs of
So the
Apostle says, See to it that you spare no cost in the glorious provision of
"these things"; spare neither thought nor pains, if only these
Christian graces are in you and abound. Then, for you also, there will be a
profuse expenditure of heavenly welcome. You will not enter the heavenly city unnoticed
and alone. A choral and processional greeting will be yours. You won't enter
the port like some water-logged vessel, but with colors flying and all sails
set! (2 Peter 1:11.)
Notice the
order of these graces. Each is in the other like those Chinese boxes, each of
which contains a number of smaller ones which fit inside. Opening the one
marked faith, if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks
these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was
cleansed from his old sins. Manly courage should be discovered; opening
courage, knowledge should present itself; from knowledge, we should come on
self-control; within self-control should be patience; inside patience we have
towards men should be godliness towards God; then we find brotherly love; and
finally we come on love!
The Apostle
says that those who lack "these things" are short-sighted; they see
only the things of this world, not the real things of eternity. The tenth verse
warns us that the careful culture of these things in the heart will prevent
stumbling in the outward life (Jude
PRAYER
Accept, merciful
Father, of this renewed dedication which we make of ourselves, our bodies,
souls, and spirits unto You. Grant that we may be like Jesus, pure and
undefiled, meek and gentle, peaceable, patient, contented and thankful. I ask
it in Jesus' name, Amen.
God's Daily Promise
Promise #249:
I will carry you in My arms just like a father carries his child.
Deuteronomy 1:31 (WEB)
and in the wilderness, where
you have seen how that Yahweh your God bore you,
as a man does bear his son,
in all the way that you went, until you came to this place.”
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