Pursue Virtues that Are Christlike

Barb had a great check-up at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota last week. The liver is doing great! There is no further sign of cancer! She is doing real well and, through her physical theropy, she is growing stronger every day. Now to today's Bible Insight:

Young William Wilberforce was discouraged one night in the early 1790's after another defeat in his 10-year battle against the slave trade in England. Tired and frustrated, he opened his Bible and began to leaf through it. A small piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor. It was a letter written by John Wesley shortly before his death. Wilberforce read it again: "Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that (abominable practice of slavery), which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might." (sermonillustrations.com; from Our Daily Bread, June 16, 1989)

"Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might!" In other words, don't quit! Don't give up! Live by faith, and Jesus will see you through. Live by faith, and you will persevere! Jesus will see to it. When you have saving faith, it proves itself true by your daily walk of faith. When you have saving faith, you will persevere to the end. Your ultimate destination is heaven and eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is forever!

The doctrine of eternal security, or perseverance of the saints, is the Spirit-guaranteed fact that salvation is forever. The assurance of salvation is the Spirit-produced confidence that you truly do have eternal salvation. The doctrine of eternal security is objective truth that we can know. The assurance of salvation is subjective truth that we can experience.

Both the Old and New Testament mention assurance of salvation often. Just to mention a few:

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)

"The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever." (Isa. 32:17)

"That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:2-3)

"For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance." (1 Thess. 1:5a)

"And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end." (Heb. 6:11)

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. 10:22)

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:11-13)

That raises a crucial question: Why do many Christians lack assurance of salvation? The answer is complex in some respects, yet quite simple. Many have simply been taught wrong and misled. They sit under preaching that hammers home the high standard of righteousness and points out how far short they fall because of their sin, yet without any word about the comfort of Christ given to those under grace. They are left to suffer under the heavy burden of their sin, without being given the hope and comfort of God’s grace. And it is God's grace that produces genuine assurance.

Others feel they are too sinful to be saved. They believe that they are so far removed from God because of their sin that there is no hope of ever bridging the gap and making it back to God. Again, they are misled into believing they must earn their way to heaven through good works. They are right in one thing—they can't earn their way back to God. Good works won't save you. The grace of God saves you, and the grace of God gives assurance of salvation.

Some have a wrong understanding of forgiveness. They think that when they trusted Christ for salvation, only their past sins were forgiven. They believe they lose their salvation every time they sin in the present and future, requiring confession of sin and receiving Christ all over again. They lack a full understanding of how forgiveness at the cross works.

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). "All sin!" Past, present, and future. "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18a, NASB). Our assurance of salvation comes from a proper understanding of how forgiveness at the cross is total and complete—once for all!

Some allow testing and trials to shake their confidence and cause them to question their salvation. But trials test your faith for the express purpose of proving your faith and strengthening your assurance of salvation. "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Some simply are not walking daily with Jesus. They are not living every day by faith, and so fail to walk in the Spirit, hindering the Spirit's work in their life. Part of the Spirit's ministry in our life is to assure us of our salvation. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom. 8:16). But we are unable to hear Him when we are out of fellowship with Christ.

If you want to experience the joy of assurance, you must live and walk in the Spirit. "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16). "Draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. 10:22). When you walk in the Spirit and live by the Word, the Holy Spirit within you will assure your heart that you belong to Jesus, and you will experience the full assurance of salvation that you so long for.

When you lack assurance of salvation, you fall easy prey to temptation and the deception of false prophets and false teachers, who seek to devour you. Remember, God has given all believers His many "great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4). God has also given all believers "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (v. 3). So it is "for this very reason" (v. 5a) that they must apply maximum effort, "giving all diligence" (v. 5a) toward living for Christ, toward living the Spirit-filled life.

Philippians 2:12-13 says, "Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Salvation is a gift from God by His grace, but we are required to work out our salvation by "giving all diligence" (2 Peter 1:5a) to living the Christian life.

"Giving" (v. 5a), in the original Greek, means "to bring in" or "to supply besides," and implies making a strong effort to provide something necessary (John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2 Peter & Jude, [Moody Publishers, Chicago Illinois, 2005], 38). God provides salvation and all the spiritual resources needed to live the Spirit-filled life. Believers are to call on those spiritual resources with "all diligence" (v. 5a) to live godly lives. Alongside what Christ has provided, believers are to "add to your faith virtue" (v. 5b)—all virtues needed to maintain the assurance of salvation. Luke says, "Rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20b).

Peter instructs us to "add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love" (vs. 5b-7).

First add "virtue" (v. 5b), or "moral excellence" (NASB). This is the distinctive word in classical Greek for virtue. It was such a lofty term that it was used for moral heroism, viewed as the divinely endowed ability to excel in heroic, courageous deeds. It came to encompass the most outstanding quality in someone's life, or the proper and excellent fulfillment of a task or duty (Ibid, 40). Paul demonstrated the pursuit of such spiritual heroism when he said: "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14).

Next add "knowledge" (v. 5c). "Knowledge" is at the heart of moral excellence. Knowledge refers to the divine truth that is the foundation of spiritual discernment and wisdom, the truth properly understood and applied. It is having your mind enlightened about the truth of Scripture. It involves diligent study and meditation on Scripture, to acquire "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16). (Ibid)

Flowing out of knowledge is "self-control" (2 Peter 1:6a). "Self-control" literally means "holding oneself in." It was used of athletes who sought self-discipline and self-restraint, even beating their bodies into submission. They would also abstain from rich foods, wine, and sexual activity to focus all their strength and attention on their training regimen. False theology (such as that taught by the heretics of Peter's day) inevitably separates faith from conduct because it cannot deliver the soul from the harmful effects of sin and forces its followers to battle for self-control on their own. (Ibid)

A fourth essential virtue to pursue is "perseverance" (v. 6b). "Perseverance" means having patience and endurance in doing what is right. It means resisting temptation, while enduring trials and difficulties. (Ibid)

"Perseverance" is a difficult term to translate into English. It is uncommon in classical Greek, but the New Testament uses the word frequently to refer to "remaining strong in unwelcome toil and hardship, the kind that can make life extremely difficult, painful, grievous, and shocking—even to the point of death." (Ibid, 41)

At the heart of spiritual pursuit is "godliness" (v. 6c). In the Greek, "godliness" means reverence for God. It could also be translated "true religion," or "true worship," and conveys the idea that one who has it properly honors and adores God. (Ibid)

In Greek thought, "godliness" encompassed all the rituals related to worship and loyalty given to the pagan gods—respect toward all that is divine. The early Christians sanctified the Greek definitions of the word and directed them at the one true God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Ibid)

Now, Peter turns from our vertical relationship with God to our horizontal relationships with one another. Godliness, or reverence for God, leads to "brotherly kindness" (v. 7a). John MacArthur points out: "The companion of affection for God is affection for others" (Ibid).

One day, the religious leaders came to Jesus: "Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?' Jesus said to him, '"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'" (Matt. 22:35-40)

In our devotion to one another, brotherly kindness leads to the highest virtue of "love" (v. 7b). Our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ is inseparable from and, in fact, flows out of our love for God. "But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another" (1 Thess. 4:9). This is agapē love—that sacrificial, selfless love that comes from God and flows through us. Amen.

Saving Faith Is Made Sufficient by God

Posting a day early as we are headed north to Rochester, Minnesota today for Barbara's annual check-up. Pray all is well. Overall, she is continuing to get stronger every day. Thanks. Now on to today's Bihle Insight.

Paul speaks of the sufficiency of God's salvation: "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8). "Sufficiency" refers to self-sufficiency (John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testement Commentary; 2 Peter & Jude, [Moody Publishers, 2005], 25). In other words, you have all that is necessary. By His grace, God provides all the spiritual resources that are sufficient to meet life's demands.

Paul also wrote: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority" (Col. 2:8-10). God saved you, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit, He has provided all the grace and spiritual resources you will ever need.

Our spiritual sufficiency, the fact that we have every spiritual resource necessary to live the abundant Christian life, comes from "His divine power" (2 Peter 1:3a). Our salvation is made sufficient by God's power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, operates in us: "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 1:19-20, NLT).

From the moment you trusted Christ as Lord and Savior, God has granted you His power. The NKJV says specifically, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3a). "Has granted" (v. 3a), or "has given to us" (NKJV), "is a perfect, passive participle meaning that in the past, with continuing results in the present, God permanently bestowed His power on believers" (Ibid, 26).

God has provided all the spiritual resources we need in the Holy Spirit who indwells us and empowers us for living. We have all the divine power we need for sanctification—we have no lack at all! In view of that, the Lord holds all believers responsible to obey all the commands of Scripture. We can't claim that our sins or failures are because of God's limited provision. His provision is not limited.

Nothing comes into our lives that is beyond the resources God has given us to help us overcome. The divine power given to each of us by the Lord, leads Peter to declare that we have received "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (v. 3b). In the Greek, the term "all things" is in "the emphatic position, stressing the extent of the self-sufficiency of believers" (Ibid, 27).

The Spirit of God that indwells us, empowers our spiritual life and sustains that life in all its fullness. We need not seek or ask for anything more. We already have every spiritual resource we need to persevere in holy living. "Life and godliness" (v. 3b) has to do with sanctification. With salvation in Christ came everything we need to sustain that life. That spells eternal security. We are secure in our salvation, because we know that God will empower us to persevere to the end.

"Godliness" (v. 3b) refers to both true reverence in worship and active obedience in your daily life. You need not ever question God's sufficiency, because His grace that saved you is equally able to sustain you in life and empower you to righteous conduct.

With God's power and provision available to us, how can we experience those things to the fullest? Peter answers, "Through the knowledge of Him" (v. 3c), or more accurately, "Through the true knowledge of Him" (NASB).

"Knowledge" (epignōsis) refers to a knowledge that is deep and genuine. The word is sometimes used interchangeably with the more basic term gnōsis, which means simply knowledge. But Peter is referring to more than just a superficial knowledge of Christ. Mere head knowledge doesn't cut it. It takes a deep, genuine, personal heart knowledge of Christ for salvation. (Ibid, 28)

Saving knowledge of Jesus Christ comes from "Him who called us" (v. 3c). There are two aspects to God's call: the general call and the effectual call. The general call comes through the proclamation of the gospel, through which the sinner is urged to accept salvation. The gospel is to be preached to everyone and the general call is offered to all.

John MacArthur points out: "The effectual call is efficacious; that is, it always results in salvation. This is a creative calling which accompanies the external proclamation of the gospel; it is invested with the power to deliver one to the divinely intended destination." (Ibid)

John Murray said, "It is very striking that in the New Testament the terms for calling, when used specifically with reference to salvation, are almost uniformly applied, not to the universal call of the gospel, but to the call that ushers men into a state of salvation and is therefore effectual." (John Murray, Redemption—Accomplished and Applied [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1955], 88)

God's saving call is made effective through the revealed majesty of Jesus Christ. Sinners are drawn by the "glory and virtue" of Jesus Christ (v. 3c), or by the "glory and excellence" of Jesus Christ (NASB). When through the preaching of the gospel, the sinner realizes who Jesus is (the glorious Son of God, the Savior), recognizes their need of repentance, and comes to Him in faith, he will be saved. Salvation made sufficient by God's proclamation.

The excellencies of Christ attract people to a saving relationship with Him. By His glory and excellence, He accomplished everything needed for our salvation. And through His glory and virtue, He gave us "exceedingly great and precious promises" (v. 4a). All the salvation promises in Christ are "exceedingly great" and "precious" (v. 4a).

All God's salvation promises are given "that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (v. 4b). "May be" (v. 4b) is a word in the Greek that refers not to a future possibility, but to a present reality (McArthur, 30).

"Partakers" is often translated "fellowship," and means "sharer" or "partner." Believers are partners in Christ. "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). Believers escape the corruption of the world and become partakers of the divine nature of Christ, as He comes to dwell in us by His Spirit.

To wrap it up in a nutshell, Peter is saying that genuine, heart knowledge of God through Christ gives us all we need to live godly lives. Give yourself to Jesus in all you do and say, and let Him live through you. Amen.

Saving Faith Is Multiplied by God

Paul taught the church in Rome, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:1-2). In 2 Peter 1:2a, Peter writes, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you." God wants the substance of salvation, "grace and peace," to "be multiplied to you,” or to be poured out upon you abundantly.

"Grace" (charis; v. 2a) is God's free, unmerited favor toward sinners. "Grace" grants those who believe the gospel, forgiveness forever through the Lord Jesus Christ. (John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testement Commentary; 2 Peter & Jude, [Moody Publishers, 2005], 23)

"Peace" (eirēnē) with God and "peace" from God in all life's circumstances is the effect of grace flowing out of the forgiveness God has given to all who believe.

John wrote, "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace" (John 1:16, NASB). "Grace upon grace" is a phrase that defines the unending flow of God's favor, while peace comes with such fullness in God that we can't fully comprehend it.

John MacArthur said, "Believers receive surpassing grace for every sin and abundant peace for every trial." (Ibid)

"Grace and peace" come to us "in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (v. 2b). It does not come to those who do not know Christ and who do not fully embrace the gospel.

"Knowledge" (epignōsis, v. 2b) is a strengthened form of the basic Greek word for "knowledge" (gnōsis). The word as used here, refers to a full, rich, thorough knowledge, involving a degree of intimate understanding of a specific subject. (Ibid, 24)

Salvation involves this kind of personal knowledge of God through His Word. The knowledge that brings salvation is not from feelings, or emotions, or even from personal experience. It is from the revealed truth. It is based on the gospel of Christ preached from the Word of God: "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17).

Salvation comes from a true and personal knowledge of the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is not merely knowing the truth about Him—that is mere head knowledge. No, salvation is to know Jesus through the truth of His Word. That is why Peter closed this letter by encouraging his readers, who already have that saving knowledge, to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18), the benediction I use every Sunday morning.

Knowing the Lord in salvation is where the Christian life begins. The rest of our life is pursuing a greater knowledge of the glory of the Lord and of His grace.

Getting to know Jesus better and learning to walk closer with Him is of extreme importance. That is why you must "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) every day. As you do, you experience the abundance of God's grace beiing "multiplied to you" (2 Peter 1:2a). Amen.

God's Most Precious Gift—Our Faith

The opening verses of Second Peter speak of the precious faith of God's people. They speak of a strong and vibrant faith, like that of the Apostle Peter, a precious faith received "by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1b). They speak of our living an abundant life of godliness by "His divine power" (v. 3a). They speak of our eternal security, the certainty of our future in heaven, the fact that in Christ we have "become partakers of the divine nature" and have "escaped the corruption that is in the world" (v. 4).

Unfortunately, most people ignor Second Peter. John MacArthur said, "Some theologians refer to both Second Peter and Jude as the 'dark corner' of the New Testament. As a result, these two books are often ignored. Preachers don't preach from them, believers don't study them. Most people don't ever discuss the content of these two books, or quote from them. Second Peter and Jude are simply neglected, even in scholarly circles, where critics are known to dismiss them as pseudonymous (forged) letters, unworthy of serious study." (John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testement Commentary; 2 Peter & Jude, [Moody Publishers, 2005], 1)

Second Peter was written to remind us of the great truths of Scripture, so that those truths could safeguard our faith and keep us strong, as we faced the enemy. False teaching was growing, even within some sectors of the church. Spiritual deception was everywhere, as it is today. He was writing to expose the apostates and to rid the church of their evil doctrines.

Jesus warned His disciples, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matt. 7:15). False prophets, false teachers are emissaries from hell, they are pawns of Satan, and they seek only one thing—to devour you any way they possibly can.

There is only one defense—the truth of God's Word! That is why Peter wrote this second letter. He wrote to protect his readers. He wrote to protect us from spiritual discouragement and spiritual defeat. He wrote to help us stay strong in our precious faith and our walk with Jesus.

Peter, the author of this book, was the leader of the apostles. His name is mentioned first in all four lists of the Twelve in the New Testament. He and his brother Andrew (who introduced him to Jesus in John 1:40-42), ran a fishing business on the Sea of Galilee. They were originally from the village of Bethsaida (John 1:44), but later moved to the larger nearby town of Capernaum (Mark 1:21, 29). Their business was successful, providing Peter with a spacious house in Capernaum. Peter was married—Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38), and his wife accompanied him on his missionary travels (1 Cor. 9:5).

Peter's full name was Simon Barjona (Matt. 16:17), literally "Simon son of Jonas" (or John). Simon was a common name in Israel at that time (there are eight other Simons mentioned in the New Testament). When they first met, Jesus named him Cephas (John 1:42), which is Aramaic for "rock." "Peter" is the Greek equivalent. (Ibid, 2)

Second Peter was likely written just before his death in Rome, probably around A.D. 67 or 68. The letter was most likely written from Rome and sent to the same believers First Peter was written to—those scattered throughout Asia Minor (or modern-day Turkey) because of the persecution in Rome. (Ibid, 13)

The redemption of sinners and the restoration of fellowship with the Father through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, secures eternal life for the Christian and is God's most precious gift to all who believe. And that is key—we must grasp the truth that saving faith is itself a gift from God.

Peter opens his letter with a standard salutation, as was the custom of his day. "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). He identified himself as the author; then he identified the recipients. He used both names together. Simon, the Greek form of the Hebrew "Simeon," the father of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, was a common name in Israel. Peter is from a Greek word that means "rock" (Cephas is its Aramaic equivalent). By using both names together he was certain that the letter's recipients knew exactly whom it was from. (Ibid, 18)

Peter showed great humility by referring to himself as a "bondservant" (v. 1a). By doing so, he placed himself in submission to Jesus Christ. He identified himself as a man who served the Lord in complete obedience. It means to be duty bound to obey the Lord Jesus, your Master, no matter what the cost.

In that time, to willingly refer to yourself as a "bondservant" (Greek, doulos, meaning "slave") was to place yourself in the very lowest group of people in society. A group of people who are not even considered people. It was a culture where slaves were looked upon as being no better than animals. But while it was demeaning socially to be called a bondservant, spiritually it was a great honor. (Ibid)

For the Christian to be called a doulos (a bondservant) of God is to be God's possession. In that day, a master owned his slaves just as he owned his tools. To be called a doulos of God is to always be ready to answer His every call. To be called a doulos of God is to always be obedient to God without question. To be called a doulos of God is to always be in the service of God.

The Christian serves at the pleasure of God. He serves by the commission of God. Peter humbly spoke of himself as a bondservant of God. But he also called himself an "apostle of Jesus Christ" (v. 1a). An "apostle of Jesus Christ" was one officially sent by Christ and specifically commissioned by Christ as a "witness of the resurrected Lord, with authority to proclaim His truth." (Ibid, 19)

Peter wrote this letter to the same saints as he did his first letter—those scattered across Asia Minor by persecution. It was written about a year after the first letter. He described his readers as divinely saved—saved by the grace of the Master.

He wrote "to those who have obtained like precious faith with us" (v. 1b), or "to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours" (NASB). "Have obtained," or "have received," implies that the believer is saved by the grace of the Master. It is a gift from God. It literally means "to gain by divine will," or "given by an allotment" (as in the biblical practice of casting lots to discern God's will). (Ibid)

It clearly refers to something not obtained by human effort or based on personal worthiness. It comes from God's sovereign purpose. They received faith because God graciously chose to give it to them. Faith comes from God, in that He graciously gave us the ability and the power to believe the gospel unto salvation.

"Like precious faith" (v. 1b), or "a faith of the same kind as ours" (NASB), means "of equal value" or "of equal privilege." We have each received faith as a personal gift from God that brings equal spiritual privileges of salvation to all who receive it. In other words, all believers have received the gift of saving faith. We are all saved by the grace of the Master (v. 1b). (Ibid, 20)

Having received "like precious faith" (v. 1b), we are all covered "by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (v. 1c). Saving faith is available because of the righteousness of Christ. Sinners are saved and given eternal life because the Savior imputes His righteousness to them, covering their sins and making them acceptable to God.

The doctrine of imputed righteousness is at the very heart of the gospel. Salvation is a gift from God in every way. God gives us the faith to believe and He gives us the righteousness necessary to satisfy His holiness. On the cross, Christ shouldered the full wrath of God against all our sins so we wouldn't have to. Our sins were imputed to Christ so that His righteousness could be imputed to us. The righteousness of Christ fully covers all who are saved. Isaiah said it well: "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (Isa. 61:10, NASB). (Ibid, 22)

Note how Jesus is referred to here as "our God and Savior" (v. 1c). The Greek construction uses just one article before the phrase "God and Savior." It is not "our God and our Savior," it is simply "our God and Savior," which makes both terms refer to the same person. So, Peter calls Jesus, not just "Savior," but "God," the author and agent of salvation. (Ibid, 23)

Peter's point is that God has given all who believe His most precious gift—our faith. We are not worthy of salvation. There is nothing about us that guarantees us salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. It is purely a gift—God's precious gift, given to us by God's grace through our faith in Jesus; faith which is itself a gift from God. Amen.

A New Year's Resolution

Good morning and Happy New Year! The year of our Lord 2018 is upon us. People often begin the new year making a new resolution for life. It is usually about the changes they would like to make to improve their life in some way: losing weight, exercising more, spending more time with the kids or with family, or spending more quality time with your wife or husband. Or perhaps it is aimed at spiritual improvement: more time in the Word of God, more time in prayer, establishing a consistent quiet time, or journaling your life experiences, especially as it relates to God's work in your life.

I'm not making a New Year's resolution, as I would rarely find myself following through. But I would like to begin the new year updating you on Barb's health, as well as my own. It has been just over a year (fourteen months as of January 4) since Barb received her liver transplant. On that front, all is well. Her liver is working perfectly, and she is regaining much of her ability to move around and do the things she used to do, even making all kinds of Christmas goodies!

This past year, however, she saw some setbacks. In the summer, a cancerous tumor was removed from her left lung. There is no further sign of cancer, so for now, she is cancer free! However, about six weeks after her lung surgery, Barb spent ten days in Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota with pnuemonia. She is now recovered from that bout, but she has swelling in her legs as the result of a blood clot in her pelvic area. She is doing well, but is on blood thinners and taking shots to breakup the blood clot. Continue to pray for her full recovery from everything. Thanks.

As for me, I am doing great! You are probably all aware that I have Parkinson's Disease. It can be a bit debilitating, but overall, I handle it well. I am able to walk and get around on my own, though I may be seen with a cane at times. Walking long distances is the hardest, but shopping carts make great walkers, and God bless the invention of motor powered shopping carts! I am still preaching full-time. In fact, I still stand to preach on Sunday mornings. I have not yet given in to the temptation to sit on a stool.

Overall, I am still quite healthy. My Parkinson's is considered mild. Others have it much worse than I do. There are many different forms of Parkinson's. Mine is a mild and manageable form. With medicine, my tremor is liveable, some days nearly non-existent. Overall, I do well.

That brings me to today's topic: living with a debilitating disease or any other struggle that God just never seems to take away no matter how many times you ask for God to heal or remove it. The text I want to look at is 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Here, Paul relates his struggle with "a thorn in the fleash" (2 Cor. 12:7) which was given to him:

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

Twice in verse seven, at the beginning and again at the end of the verse, Paul makes the statement, "Lest I (should) be exalted above measure." This puts this whole passage in perspective. Everything Paul says in this passage has to do with keeping him humble.

He follows that opening phrase with a qualification: "by the abundance of the revelations" (v. 7b). Paul's special place in God's overall scheme of things called for a bufferuing. The many "revelations" God gave him in writing much of the New Tetament set him up for temptation—temptation to think of himself more highly than he ought, "lest I be exalted above measure."

Likewise, the final repeated phrase is preceded by the words, "a messenger of Satan to buffet me" (v. 7d), again indicating that a buffering was called for. This also points out that the buffering God allowed came from Satan, not God. But the purpose, again, was to keep Paul humble.

But who or what is the "messenger" that buffets Paul, or what is it that Paul was dealing with? The answer is found in the middle of that verse: "a thorn in the flesh was given to me" (v. 7c). But just what was that "thorn in the flesh"? We don't really know! But that is probably a good thing, and is aopparently by design.

There are several things we know: (1) Paul's eyesight grew weak as he grew older, possibly because of writing in dark and dingy dungeons—"See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!" (Gal. 6:11); (2) Paul suffered many things while traveling the world in ministry—"...in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness" (2 Cor. 11:23b-27); and (3) when stoned he was left for dead—"But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead" (Acts 14:19). Yet none of these things necessarily have anything to do with Paul's "thorn in the flesh."

So what is it? Again, we don't know. What we do know is the result it had in Paul's life. Note verse 8: "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me." He prayed for healing or deliverance, but it did not come. Why not? Certainly not for lack of faith on Paul's part. Rather, God said to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (v. 9a). It was God's plan for Paul, to keep him humble.

Paul's response: "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (vs. 9b-10). The very result God was after in Paul's life—serving the Lord in all humility, keeping in focus how God makes him strong when he is weak.

For me, Parkinson's is my "thorn in the flesh." It reminds me daily that God makes me strong when I am weak. In that I will boast. In like manner, whatever God allows to buffet you, your "thorn in the fleah," must have that same result in you. As Paul said, "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (v. 10b). Amen.