Weekly Devotional 8-15-16
The Assimilation of Spiritual Knowledge
In the past few weeks we have been considering the Apostle Peter’s encouragement to those of his day who had been scattered throughout Asia Minor because of persecution. He wrote that even though there were many who scoffed at the belief that Jesus Christ would return (2nd Peter 3:3-5), they were to remain faithful and strong.
In his second letter to them he began his encouragement by writing; “2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:2-11 NKJV).
From these words we should conclude that their spiritual strength and faithfulness came from knowledge; knowledge about their Savior and His kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. We must also conclude that such knowledge came from diligent study. Now then, in that God intended Peter’s letters to reach far beyond those to whom he wrote, even to us, we must conclude that our strength and faithfulness is also dependent upon that same diligent study. The more we learn of Christ the more we will be partakers of the divine nature, the nature of God. If we are born again, we have been given His divine nature, but having His divine nature does not mean that we are mature in it. This comes only by diligent study.
Spiritual knowledge produces in us faith, virtue, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Spiritual knowledge is all important to these fruits. Without spiritual knowledge we will be shortsighted, maybe even forgetting that we have been redeemed. However, the more knowledgeable we are about our salvation the less likely it is that we will stumble. As in Peter’s day, there will come those who will scoff at God’s promises, that Jesus Christ will return and establish His kingdom upon earth. Actually, they exist now.
May we be committed to filling ourselves with the knowledge of Jesus Christ, His kingdom, and His purpose for us.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man