THE PRICELESS HABITS

EXPRESSED IN THE OBEDIENT CHRISTIAN’S LIFE

 

By Michael K. Farrar, B.S., O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

www.godsbreathpublications.com

2 PETER 1:5-7

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness love.”

 

In the previous verses of this chapter in 2 Peter chapter 1 learn that god gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to live as we should as followers of Christ and we also know we have His promises that form a foundation for our spiritual lives to be built upon. One thing must be added to these godly resources in order for us to keep in step with the Spirit and live as our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. It is necessary that we apply “all diligence” to how we think, act, behave and live.

 

The Greek word for “diligence” is “spoude” and infers a speedily dispatch of action or an eagerness with great earnestness to apply oneself to a task or goal. How does Peter’s use of the word “diligence” instruct us in how to respond to his Holy Spirit inspired instruction? We are to; with eagerness, great care, quickness and dedication, seek to be about the business of living a holy life by applying what the Holy Bible instructs us to do and what the Holy Spirit convicts us to live out in our daily service to God as we express our love for Him.

 

Peter tells us that we are to apply “all diligence” to the foundation of our Christian life which is our “faith.” Faith is the essence of our lives as followers of Christ. It is the solid foundation upon which we build our relationship with God. It is the taproot that is responsible for our spiritual growth. It is our spiritual identity as a child of God. Our faith is made possible by God’s grace and mercy and in Jesus’ sacrificial offering on the cross for our sins. Our faith and eternal destiny are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit who is given to us at the moment of our conversion (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). Upon this godly foundation of faith, which is made possible by the power and provision of God, we are to build seven godly traits.

 

MORAL EXCELLENCE: This is the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. This could also be called virtue. It implies moral fortitude in the midst of temptation of courage in the midst of a fearful circumstance. It is the ability (from our internal motivation and commitment) to do what’s right and appropriate even if we have to take a stand alone. The Greek word used for this word is “arete” which can mean; properly, valor, excellence or manliness. It can also refer to “praise” in the properly, valor, excellence or manliness. It can also refer to “praise” in the sense that when we demonstrate moral excellence when we bring praise to God in how we not only live outwardly, but especially in how we think inwardly. The challenge here is a high calling. Many times we respond outwardly in a morally excellent way. The true test of demonstrating moral excellence is what lives within our heart and mind on an ongoing basis.

 

KNOWLEDGE: This knowledge we are to both possess and express refers to what might be called “practical” knowledge. Knowledge acquired through keen observation and experience. The Greek word here Peter uses is “gnosis” which he also uses in 1 Pewter 3:7 to reflect the “understanding manner” or “according to knowledge” with which a husband and is called to live with his wife. The Apostle Paul uses this same Greek word for how we apply diligence to our faith and grow in spiritual knowledge we grow closer to our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ our Savior and the Holy Spirit who resides with us.

 

SELF-CONTROL: As we progress down this list of “HOLY” traits of a follower of Jesus Christ we come to “self-control.” The Greek word used here is “egkrateia” and it means ‘temperance” or “self-control.” As we learn and respect God’s Word and keep in step with the Spirit who lives within us as Disciples of Christ, we grow in moral excellence and spiritual knowledge. This develops our self-control as we come more and more under the control of the Holy Spirit and are filled with His presence. We should never let anything control us except Jesus our Lord, God’s Holy Word and the Holy Spirit who lives within us. A balanced life is one which reflects balance and holiness. This is becoming more difficult in the world we live in today, as moral boundaries erode; opportunities for sinning against God proliferate, and society encourages selfish indulgence. A practical example of expressing “self-control” is for instance, not partaking of a second helping of cherry pie…if we are on a diet to lose weight. Tough situation!

 

PERSEVERENCE: “Hupomone” is the Greek word Peter uses here and it means “cheerful endurance or “hopeful constancy.” It also refers to “remaining under” whatever we may experience in life. As we grow in our faith due to diligence made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit wee increase in our ability to persevere in our commitment to Christ. We develop a godly patience to endure a trial, a storm of life or a hardship due to the fact that our faith in God is central to our lives. This is a reflection that our relationship with God is growing by leaps and bounds both in stability, as well as in how freely we trust in God, despite our circumstances. Charles Swindoll states regarding this spiritual trait. “It requires a firm footing on the foundation of faith, a clear focus on the pursuit of hope, and an unparalleled patience.

 

GODLINESS: The Greek word used here for “godliness” is “eusebeia.” This word also means “holiness” or “peity.” This concept of godliness is like the two sides of a coin; that might represent our heart, mind and soul. One side reflects the right attitude and perspective toward God Himself; one of submissive and worshipful reverence and love for Him. This demonstrates the quality of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. The other side of the coin would reflect the loving, honoring and respectful attitude we have towards others. It reflects the servant’s heart we have towards those we come in contact with, a gracious and merciful attitude. This demonstrates how we are living like Jesus Christ and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit who lives within us as Disciples of Christ. These two sides of the coin that represent our heart are spoken of in the two greatest commandments our Lord and Savior spoke of in the following passage.

 

Matthew 22:36-40, 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

 

BROTHERLY KINDNESS: Here Peter uses the Greek word, “Philadelphia” to describe the quality of how we minister to those around us in thought and deed. The word conveys the idea that we treat all people in our lives as if they were members of our own family. We bear their burdens. We relate to their pain and we rejoice in their joyful moments. We willingly listen to their opinions, feelings, ideas and suggestions with respect. This does not mean we endorse everything they say and believe, but we are willing to hear them out and respond to their thoughts in a respectful and truthful manner. Often people reject the gospel because well-meaning Christians fail to listen with love to the opinions of others. When people experience brotherly kindness and actions, they are more willing to receive the truth of the gospel.

 

LOVE:  The last and most important part of the seven traits a follower of Jesus Christ will manifest is when they apply diligence to their faith is “agape” love. The Greek word here “agape” denotes a special type of love that seeks the highest and best good for others. This love is the preeminent virtue emphasized and persistently taught in Holy Scripture. It is a predominant trait of God that is expressed throughout scripture. It is the core of the greatest commands (Matthew 22:36-40) to love God and to love others.  “Agape” love is unconditional devotion expressed without reserve. Our Heavenly Father demonstrated this type of love when He gave His Son as an offering to pay for our sins on the cross (Romans 5). Jesus Christ willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice of love to pay for our sins (John 3:16). No great love exists, than the love that the Father, Son and Spirit have for people.

 

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines it as follows;

 

“Agape love indicates the nature of the love of God toward His beloved Son (John 17:26), toward the human race generally (John 3:16; Romans 5:8), and toward those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:21). Agape love conveys God’s will to His children about their attitude toward one another. Love for one another was a proof to the world of true discipleship (John 13:34-35). Agape love also expresses the essential nature of God (1 John 4:8). Love can be known only from the actions it prompts, as seen in God’s love in the gift of His Son (1 John 4:9-10). Love found its perfect expression in the Lord Jesus. Christian love is the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus in the Believer (Galatians 5:22). Love is like oil to the wheels of obedience. It enables us to run the way of God’s commandments (Psalms 119:32). Without such love we are as nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3). Such Spirit-inspired love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8) but always flourishes.”

 

Charles Swindoll says about this “agape” love, “This kind of love seeks the highest good for others, putting their needs above self; it means unconditional devotion…Peter, marks this kind of love as the highest Christian virtue.”

 

1 Corinthians 13:13 states, “And now these three remain,…

 

…FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. BUT…THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE!”

 

I CHALLENGE MYSELF AND YOU AS WELL TO SEEK TO PRACTICE THESE SEVEN HOLY HABITS IN YOUR LIFE WITH OTHERS.

 

GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED AS YOU DO.

 

CHRIST WILL BE EXAULTED AS YOU DO.

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL ASSIST YOU AS YOU SEEK TO DO SO.

 

AND…

 

YOU WILL BE GREATLY BLESSED

AS YOU SEE GOD WORK IN YOUR LIFE

AS A TRUE DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST!