The Secret To Living A Successful
Christian Life
I have found the secret to prevent me from falling
into sin and have a successful Christian life!!
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2Pe 1:4)
Peter explains that we have a promise that if we "partake" or practice the
verses below, we can avoid worldly lusts and be more Christ-like.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to
your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (2Pe 1:5)
We are to be persistent in our walk of faith, but specifically we should be
adding to our faith, virtue (the practice of moral goodness) and knowledge
(studying God's Word);
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance
patience; and to patience godliness; (2Pe 1:6)
We should also be adding temperance (moderation, no indulgence in natural
appetites) and patience and godliness. Do we indulge in worldly pleasures? Are
there areas in your life that need work? What about those TV shows that you
watch that are all about sex? Do you watch them with your children? Shame,
shame, shame. Are you impatient? We are most impatient with those we love the
most, those in our own homes. Do you practice even harder to be patient with
them? If not, you should. Are you practicing godliness? Today's Christian has
been hardened by the things of the world. Don't measure yourself according to
other Christians, but measure yourself to the Word of God. You cannot measure
yourself if you don't read the Word! Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee. (Psa 119:11) This does not necessarily mean to
memorize - but to read the Word, absorb its meaning by meditating on the Word.
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness charity. (2Pe 1:7)
Add to your life kindness to your fellow believers and love (agape love
according to Strong's - which is the love that we should have for God). If we
treat others with the same love God has for us, we would never lie to them,
steal from them, cheat on them, curse at them, or do any evil toward them.
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. (2Pe 1:8)
Peter tells us that if we practice these things and abound (possess in great
quantity) we won't be barren (empty) in our knowledge of Christ nor will we be
unfruitful for Him. The more we know the Word, the more we can produce for God.
Are you doing anything for the Lord? Are you an active participant in your
church? If sickness prevents you from being active, are you finding other ways
to be a blessing? Are you conscious of souls dying every second and going to
hell? Being IN the Word will make you soul conscious becaues Christ was soul
conscious to the point of death.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and
cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
(2Pe 1:9)
But those that lack these things are blind and have limited knowledge of the
gospel so they cannot "see" the complete Christian way of life through the Word.
They are satisfied to be saved as new born babes and not eat any spiritual meat.
Drinking only the pure milk of the Word is like a baby only drinking Mother's
milk his whole adolescent life. What kind of child will that produce? This will
produce a weak one who won't be able to fight off disease or be strong
physically. The same with our spiritual bodies - no spiritual meat in our diet
will produce a very weak Christian who won't be able to fight off the devil's
attempts. Peter also says here that the Christian has also forgotten that we are
cleansed from sin but there is a growing process in the Word which can keep us
from sinning, only if we grow.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence
to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall
never fall: (2Pe 1:10)
Peter encourages those reading that as they walk in the manner he just
explained, they should be diligent in this process so that they can prove to
themselves they are the elect - the saved. He goes on further to share that if
we do those things, we shall not stumble and fall back into our old sinful
nature. When you are in the Word and doing what God says in His Word, you are
not worried about your position in Him because you have the calm assurance of
your salvation. The opposite holds true as well - if you are not in the Word,
there is no calm assurance but one wonders if they are truly saved. Good
question!
Here is the cure for sin in our lives as Christians. Do we take the cure or are
we too lazy to do so? Many of us have ailments, some life threatening. We have
been prescribed medication to take to help us. Do we neglect that medication? Of
course not as that would be a detriment to our bodies.
Why is the average Christian so quick to neglect his/her spiritual medication?
Do we think that it will go unnoticed? I dare say that there are probably quite
a few who are not really saved but are just going through the actions of
religion. If they put their spirituality to the test by doing as Peter commands,
they would quickly see they cannot and are trying to work their way to heaven.
But the true Christian will grow spiritually as he/she practices verses 4-10.
One who practices these commands will not only grow but will also have the peace
and assurance of their salvation. Many doubt their salvation because they are
quenching the Holy Spirit of God and not allowing Him to teach them.
Quench not the Spirit. (1Th 5:19)
Are you struggling in your spiritual life today? Paul exhorted the Philippians
to work out their salvation. Wherefore, my
beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more
in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phi 2:12)
He was not saying that they needed to work to BE saved. He was saying just as
Peter was saying in today's verses. When we practice (or work) at what the Word
says, we become more as the Lord desires for us. More like Him.
May 8, 2006
Kate Plourde
