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Finding Peace - Part 2
So far we have learned just what Peter, an ordinary man, considered his faith to be, a precious commodity that must be "obtained" and how grace and peace in this life and beyond will be multiplied just by the knowledge of these truth's of life. Peter goes on to tell us even more ways to multiply the peace in our life.
We left off at adding virtue and knowledge to our faith
- KJV 2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
Dictionary dot com defines temperance as follows.
moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control.
Other definitions define this even farther to mean a habitual type of abstinence or moderation. Basically it means self control.
Temperance, patience and godliness are all inclusive. None of these are possible without the other two. How can we be godly or devoted to God if we are not patient enough to wait on Him? The simple act of being patient requires self control or temperance.
Self control is such a critical addition to our new life in Christ. We have to be able to keep a clear mind to not only hear God but to take a wise course of action if the need arises. Self control is required to study God's Word in order to gain knowledge. Self control is required to turn this knowledge into wisdom. This self control does need to be a way of life.
We have to be able to recognize God at work and God doesn't always work on our time table. Patience is required. Being patient allows God to work all things in a way that it is best for everyone. It is so easy to be impatient and want to see immediate results, especially in this internet age with instant world wide access to everything. Patience helps us to see God at work. Many people will say they never see God. They never see God when or how they are expecting.
We usually don't see God on our own terms.
Dictionary dot com defines godly as conforming to the laws and wishes of God. Godliness is the act of conforming to the laws and wishes of God.
Godliness may seem like a tall measure. It is a tall measure but it is possible and like anything else can and will become a way of life. By studying God's Word, talking to Him, increasing our faith then it all starts to fall in place. We will start to feel that peace at work in our life. Some of the things we have been studying in His Word start to have greater meaning. This will encourage us to want more. Godliness is a tall order but it comes with huge benefits.
- KJV 2 Peter 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Brotherly kindness and charity are inclusive also. Brotherly kindness is exactly what Jesus taught us. Love one another. Be ye kind one to another. The reasons we are to practice brotherly kindness are threefold.
1) Being kind to others helps cultivate a peaceful mind. If we aren't being kind to others then chances are there is much more going on inside other than peace. If we harbor feelings other than kindness they are generally equipped with some other feelings. Hate, anger, jealousy to name a few. These feelings will have a definate effect on how we ourselves feel about other people and even life in general.
2) Being kind to others will show outwardly. Being a kind hearted person will show to others a happiness in your heart that doesn't need to be spoken. What other people see in you will be so much more than just a "show". It is true feelings that dwell in your heart for other people.
3) Perfecting this "brotherly kindness" addition we are told about in in Peter 1:7 will enable us to learn much more. It will be one of the "pillars" of our own happiness.
Without this feeling of brotherly kindness there is no way we could have a charitable heart. To be truly charitable we have to do this with a kind heart. It does no good if we are charitable only for show or if we begrudge those we are charitable towards. Compassion and empathy needs to be in our hearts in order to show true charity.
Some versions of the Bible use the word "love" in place of "charity". In God's eyes they are interchangable. As with the other traits learned earlier, these need to become a way of life. Of course having these traits only half of the time is much better than not at all but they need to be something that we do without even having to think about it. It has to become a way of life for us to get the maximum benefit
- KJV 2 Peter 1:8 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 2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
- KJV 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
It is this control of one's self that makes us want to study and learn God's Word, much less apply it to our life to gain the greatest benefit for ourselves.
God's Word
ya gotta learn it
ya gotta live it
ya gotta love it
and thats all there is to it.
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