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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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July 21, 2013
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Contents:
1) Adding to Our Faith: 2 Peter 1:5-10 (Johnny Stringer)
2) Correction on VY Canis Majoris (Tom Edwards)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
Adding to Our Faith: 2 Peter 1:5-10
by Johnny Stringer
Giving All Diligence
God has graciously made provisions for all our spiritual needs to be
met through the knowledge of Christ (2 Pet. 1:2-4). If
we are to be saved, however, our own efforts must accompany the
divine provisions. Thus, Peter says, "And beside this, giving
all diligence, add to your faith" (v. 5).
The phrase, "giving all diligence," should impress us with the
urgency of fulfilling our responsibilities. The term diligence
denotes earnest, zealous effort. Peter's use of this word
precludes a casual, nonchalant approach to serving God. Paul
instructed us to work out our salvation "with fear and trembling"
(Phil. 2:12); that is, keenly aware of the terrible consequences of
unfaithfulness. This attitude will motivate us to diligent
effort.
This diligent effort is a product of faith. God requires
"faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6), and if our faith does not
lead to obedience it is dead (Jas. 2:14-26). One's diligence
in obeying God will be proportionate to the strength of his
faith. Faith will lead to diligence in supplying the
attributes Peter urges us to develop.
The term translated "virtue" is arete, meaning "moral
excellence." It was used to refer to the inner strength of
character that does what is right regardless of the
consequences. Virtue does not ask, "Is it popular?" or "What
will it cost me?" or "Will it bring suffering to me?" or "Is it
pleasant?" Virtue asks only one question: "Is it right?"
A key element of virtue is courage. Those who compromise their
convictions because they fear the consequences will have their part
in the lake burning with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8). The
divine revelation is filled with examples of those with the courage
to do what was right even though it cost them dearly, and some in
our age demonstrate exemplary courage. Godly young people, for
example, at the risk of losing their popularity and enduring
ridicule, have refused to engage in lustful dancing or to indulge in
alcohol or other drugs. We must make a diligent effort to do
the right thing regardless of the consequences.
Knowledge
Knowledge of God's word is essential because obedience to God is
essential (Matt. 7:21). We cannot do God's will unless we know
what his will is. Though some affirm that we cannot know God's
will, Paul commands us to know it (Eph. 5:17). To do so
requires diligence. God did not design his word so that a
casual skimming of the Bible would render a sufficient
understanding.
If we do not love the truth enough to study God's word diligently,
we will be deceived and, consequently, lost (2 Thess.
2:10-12). Through growing in knowledge we can avoid being
deceived by those who pervert Scripture (2 Pet. 3:16-18).
Moreover, knowledge is required in order to teach God's word to
others. We must study (give diligence) to learn to handle the
word of God properly (2 Tim. 2:15). The Hebrew Christians were
rebuked for their failure to grow sufficiently to teach others (Heb.
5:12).
Concerning the Israelites, God said, "My people are destroyed for
lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6). Through diligent effort, we can
avoid that condition.
Temperance (Self-Control)
It is of little value to know what is right and what is wrong if we
do not have the self-control necessary to do those things that are
right and refrain from doing those things that are wrong. Paul
recognized the necessity of keeping his body under subjection (1
Cor. 9:27).
Self-control requires diligent effort. One must be determined,
resolute, fully devoted to obedience. In order to control our
actions, we must first make a concentrated effort to control our
thinking (Prov. 4:23; Phil. 4:8). For example, we must not
allow our minds to dwell on the sexual attractiveness of one to whom
we have no right (Matt. 5:27-28). We must control our
thinking, channeling our thoughts in other directions. Nor
must we allow our minds to dwell on the desirability of material
possessions; instead, we should contemplate the desirability of
heaven and thus avoid covetousness (Col. 3:1-2).
Self-control is a challenge especially when we become angry, but
with determination and desire, we can achieve it. Despite the
difficulty of controlling the tongue (Jas. 3:2), we can and must
control that member (Jas. 1:26). With diligent effort,
self-control is attainable.
Patience (Perseverance, Steadfastness)
It is easy to begin great projects; it is not easy to persevere
through all the problems, setbacks, sacrifices, and difficulties
necessary to complete those projects. So it is in serving
God. The hearts of many are represented by the stony ground
into which the seed fell and quickly germinated, but soon withered
in the heat of the sun (Matt. 13:5-6, 20-21). They do not
persevere.
We must give diligence to develop that strength of character that
does not quit. We must patiently keep on serving the Lord
regardless of problems and discouragements. We must not grow
weary and faint but must keep on running the race with patience
(Heb. 12:1-3; Gal. 6:9).
Let us be resolute in our determination not to quit. We have
the strongest possible motivation to persevere: the hope of eternal
bliss with God in Heaven. That hope should prevent us from quitting
(Rom. 8:25), serving as an anchor to prevent any force from moving
us away from God (Heb. 6:19).
Godliness
Godliness is the awe and reverence that is due God. Barclay
says that it is "the attitude which gives God the place he ought to
occupy in life and in thought and in devotion" (New Testament Words
107). We should ever be diligent to show God the reverence
that is due him. We should contemplate his awesome power, his
infinite wisdom, his marvelous holiness, his unequaled love, and his
role as the Judge who will determine our eternal destiny. In
view of those qualities, we should devote our lives to honoring and
obeying him.
If we have the proper attitude toward God, we will worship him in
accordance with his revealed will, humbly submit to his teachings in
every aspect of our lives, and refrain from speaking his name except
with an attitude of reverence. We will never use his holy name
in a light, frivolous way as though he were just some ordinary
guy. We will be terrified at the thought of displeasing him
and incurring his wrath (Heb. 10:30-31; 12:28-29).
Brotherly Kindness
Brotherly kindness is a translation of the Greek word philadelphia,
which means "love of brethren." Though we are to love all men,
we should have a special love for our brethren in God's
family. We love them especially because they are God's
children (1 John 4:21-5:1). Thus, we do good to all men, but
especially to those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10).
Love for brethren involves genuine concern for their well-being (1
Cor. 12:26) and a willingness to help them when they are in need (1
John 3:16-18). It involves seeking to restore them when they sin
(Gal. 6:1-2), even to the point of withdrawing from them in an
effort to bring them to repentance (2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15). Love
also demands that we forgive them when they sin against us and
repent of it (Luke 17:3-4; Eph. 4:31-32). We should be
diligent to "increase more and more" in brotherly love (1 Thess.
4:9-10), earnestly seeking to show love in every possible way.
Charity (Love)
In 1611, when the KJV was made, the word "charity" meant
"love." Hence, in this verse, the King James translators used
the term "charity" to translate the Greek word agape. This
Greek word for "love" refers not to an emotional feeling, but to a
determination to seek the highest good of the one who is
loved. It is the product of the will, not the emotions.
We are to be diligent to seek the well-being of others, thus
practicing that which men call the "Golden Rule" (Matt. 7:12),
emulating the example of the "Good Samaritan" (Luke 10:25ff.).
This involves seeking not only their physical well-being, but their
spiritual well-being also.
We are to love (that is, seek the well-being of) our enemies (Matt.
5:44-48). Paul quoted a proverb that explains the concept of
loving an enemy, instructing us to feed him when he is hungry and
give him a drink when he is thirsty (Rom. 12:19-21). We must
be diligent to rid our hearts of bitterness and ill-will, and desire
our enemy's well-being. By so doing we may turn an enemy into
a friend.
A Process of Growth
When one first becomes a Christian, he is not expected to possess
these attributes to the degree that he should as he matures
spiritually. He is a babe in Christ. Our Lord expects us
to give diligence to develop these qualities. We should desire
the milk of the word that we may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:2). It
will build us up (Acts 20:32) and as we allow it to dwell in us
richly (Col. 3:16) our character will develop. We should spend
time in prayer and we should be diligent to assemble with other
saints to receive the spiritual benefit that is derived from
engaging in spiritual activities with them (Heb. 10:23-25).
The more we grow in these attributes, the less we will sin.
When we do sin, we must acknowledge it (1 John 1:9), repent and pray
for forgiveness (Acts 8:22), and then continue giving diligence to
grow in these qualities. Through so doing, our calling and
election will be sure and we will be granted entrance into the
kingdom in its final, eternal state (2 Pet. 1:10-11).
-- Via Truth Magazine, May 1, 2003, Vol. XLVII, No. 9
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-2-
Correction of VY Canis Majoris
After
having read various sources that mention VY Canis Majoris as
being the largest star known to man, having a radius of
about 1,800 to 2,100 times greater than the sun's, more
recent sources put that at about 1,420 times greater -- and
thus make NML Cygni as now holding that position for
largest, with its solar radii at about 1,650. So I
edited that part of the article ("God's Demonstrations")
in last week's electronic bulletin with this new
information and did some recalculating. But I also
have refrained from calling this star the largest, in case
another has already been found that is greater.
Here is the newly changed paragraph:
When we look up into the heavens on a clear night to gaze upon the
distant stars, it is an awesome sight. To the believer, his
heart gives thanks to God for this manifestation of some of His
greatness. And I say "some" because the power that God has
revealed to the world probably doesn't even come close to all the
power He possesses and all the things He can do; but even what He
has demonstrated has been wondrous and even mind-boggling. For
just think of the grand scale of our universe, which was certainly
no "little project" from our perspective. The sun, for
example, has a diameter of about 864,327 miles -- and it is one of
the smaller stars. Yet, if it were hollow, about 1.3 million
earths could fit into it (if they were ground up to eliminate
gaps). And when it comes to much larger stars, NML Cygni is
not just twice the size of the sun, nor 100 times, nor even 500
times; but an estimated 1,650 times greater in diameter -- thus
making this star about 1.4 billion miles wide and having a volume of
1.5E+27 cubic miles. If NML Cygni were hollow, it would be
able to contain about 4.49 billion suns or 5.82 quadrillion
earths! Imagine making even a scale model that would display
this colossal star along with the earth. For whatever size you
would use to represent the earth, the sphere representing NML Cygni
would require a diameter 179,924 times larger to make the
scale-ratio accurate. So if the earth would be represented
with a sphere 1 inch in diameter, the star's representation would
have to be about 2.84 miles wide! You, therefore,
probably wouldn't want to attempt making a model of this for a
school project, if you were concerned with scale accuracy.
-- Tom
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-3-
News & Notes
I am soliciting the prayers of the saints for the following people:
Terry MacDonald recently had 15 precancerous skin lesions
removed. There were also two, in addition, that were
malignant.
Virginia Fontenot has been experiencing pain and some
delirium, due to the infection and two surgeries she recently
underwent. Before she can return home from the hospital, she
will probably have to be admitted to a rehab facility. Her
daughter describes what her mother has been going through as "peaks
and valleys."
Peggy Lefort has not been feeling well over the last couple
weeks, due to headaches and stomachaches, which she has been seeing
a doctor for and treating with medication.
Shirley Young had recent surgery on her foot and will be
having to wear a cast for the next few weeks and be careful in
walking about.
Mozelle Robertson, who is now 92, has been having some
trouble with short-term memory.
Cheryl Crews continues to be housebound due to her ailments.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom.
10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet.
3:21).
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can
be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Park Forest
CHURCH OF CHRIST
9923 Sunny Cline Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 6 PM (worship)
Tuesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)