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XII.
Christian Growth and Experience
Chapter 118
:
Growth in Grace
1. HOW does the apostle
Peter close his second epistle?
"But grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 3:18.
2. How may grace and
peace be multiplied in believers?
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto
you through the knowledge of God, and of
Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2.
3. What is implied in a
knowledge of God and Jesus Christ?
"And this is life eternal,
that they might know Thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3.
4. By what may we be
partakers of the divine nature?
"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." 2 Peter 1:4.
5. What graces are we
to add in our character building?
"Add to your faith virtue
[courage]; and to virtue knowledge; and
to knowledge temperance [self-control];
and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness; and to godliness
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly
kindness charity." Verses 5-7.
NOTES.-Faith is the first round in
the Christian ladder, the first step Godward.
" He that cometh to God must believe."
Heb. 11:6.
But an inoperative faith is useless. "Faith
without works is dead." James 2:20.
To be of value, there must be coupled with
faith that virtue, or courage of
conviction, which impels to action.
To courage there needs to be added
knowledge; otherwise, like the stumbling
Jews, one may have a zeal, "but not
according to knowledge." Rom. 10:2.
Fanaticism is the result of such courage, or
zeal. Knowledge, therefore, is an essential
to healthy Christian growth.
To knowledge there needs to be added
temperance, or self-control-
self-government. See Acts 24:25,
American Standard Version, and margin of
Revised Version. To know to do good, and not
do it, is as useless as is faith without
works. See James 4:17. Instead of
temperance, the Twentieth Century New
Testament invariably says self-control.
Patience naturally follows
temperance. It is well-nigh impossible
for an intemperate person to be patient.
Having gained control of oneself, and
become patient, one is in a condition to
manifest godliness, or
God-likeness.
Having become godly, kindness toward
the brethren, or brotherly kindness,
naturally follows.
Charity, or love for all, even
our enemies, is the crowning grace,
the highest step, the eighth round, in the
Christian ladder.
The arrangement in this enumeration of
graces is by no means accidental or
haphazard, but logical and sequential, each
following the other in natural, necessary
order. The finger of Inspiration is seen
here.
6. What is said of
charity in the Scriptures?
"Charity suffereth long, and is
kind; . . . thinketh no evil; rejoiceth
not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the
truth, beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things." 1
Cor. 13:4-7. "And above all things have fervent
charity among yourselves: for charity shall
cover the multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8.
"Love covereth all sins." Prov. 10:12.
7. What is charity
called?
"And above all these things put on
charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
Col. 3:14.
8. What is the result
of cultivating these eight graces?
"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." 2 Peter 1:8.
9. What is the
condition of one who lacks these graces?
"But he that lacketh these things is
blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath
forgotten that he was purged from his old sins."
Verse 9.
10. What is promised
those who add grace to grace?
"If ye do these things, ye shall
never fall." Verse 10. |
