“as many as touched him were made whole.”
This is the last line of Mark 6. We know of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5, who pushed through the crowd to touch the hem of the garment of Jesus.
Virtue went out of Him, she was healed. Here in Mark 6, we find a whole town that knew to touch the hem of His garment.
As many as touched Him “were made whole.”
(We strut around, missing Gods best).
“And the people served the Lord “
I would love that to be what I was remembered for. “Bill served the Lord.” Wow, if only that were accurate. This would be closer to the truth:
“Bill desired to serve the Lord and sometimes did.”
Judges 2:7
King James Version (KJV)
“And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel.”
I have longed to see the great works of the Lord, since before I found Him.
As a matter of fact, My prayer was that I wanted to know and serve a Lord of Power. Not just of Words, (hot air, empty prayers).
I am convinced that He brought me to Christian Retreat in Florida, so I would see just that. I lived, worked and attended The Institute of Ministry and the Pastoral Training School.
I worked there about 3 years. Left there licenced and ordained to preach, teach,. . . ready to marry and bury. Did ok as an Evangelist, failed as a Pastor.
Ran away from it, (with my tail between my legs). I still loved the Lord, but had lost my hope and nerve.
I didn’t understand how to work with His people. To me they were Satans spawn. They couldn’t be trusted, relied on, or confided in.
That was wrong, the problem was within me, not them. It took about 20 years in the desert for me to come around, and realize the truth.
Is it possible to understand why they served the Lord and then stopped?
“all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua”
Why stop then? What happened? Are we experiencing the same problem today? Few do the necessary work to know and be used of the Lord.
“who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel.”
The people who had experienced the Lord.
Isaiah 41:20
“That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.”
This is what we are missing today, in our churches. Very few have seen anything but a few healed souls, and we call that miracles. When Jesus was in His home town all He could do was heal a few sick people. Why?
Because of their unbelief. They thought He was doing mighty things. He couldn’t. Same thing today, no earth shattering miracles, in the early church people were healed by the Apostles shadows. Raised from the dead.
Today our preaching puts more to sleep, then sets their faith on fire. We have lost the Power of God. Sorry folks we need todays Peter, Paul and James and John to rise out of our dead churches, and show us the way to the Holy of Holies, so we can find Grace and Mercy in our time of need.
Lord, help us to be usefull vessels of Your power and love.
Thank You.
Psalm 37:4
Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
The desires of thine heart. . . . Sometimes our hearts desire is not a wonderful thing. It could be something that brings us grief, sorrow, troubles and pain.
We love to think of getting the desires of our hearts, but we neclect to delight ourselves in the Lord; and that my friend is our down fall.
Has our desire grown into lust? Do we want something so badly that God will give us this desire, even if it is hurtfull? I have always concidered lust to be a sexual thing.
Mt 5:28
“Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
We lust after many things, not just sex.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
I used to live by a body of water that ran east to west. It was the boat launch, in Morehead City, NC. I would go there to pray, I was there many early mornings or at dusk.
I began to recognize the line of light or darkness move across the water. Gradually lighter or darker but progrssive lines of demarcation. As I looked up you could see it in the clouds also.
I mention this because the light or darkness within us is just as visible. People can see whether we walk in the light. For example, the world without Christ.
Isaiah 59:8-10
King James Version (KJV)
“The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.”
Most of the world is in that condition. There is no Judgement for their sin, they do not travel on a straight path, there is no truth in them. They know no peace, they don’t believe there is any.
Their ways are desolate, they are DEAD MEN WALKING. . .
This is not The Lords plan. He would have all come to the light, He sent His Son, not to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved. Those who have paid attention and opened their hearts have recognized and excepted the light.
Isaiah 9:2
King James Version (KJV)
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
Isaiah 2:5
“O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
Those who find the light, are blessed beyond measure. We all walked in darkness but now in the light. Let your light so shine, that God is Glorified, Exalted, Lifted Up, Praised.
Our lives should draw others to the Lord. If we walk in the light, we will.
Psalm 89:15
“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.”
Jesus, the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
John 8:12
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Ephesians 5:8
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Thank You Lord, may Your light shine through me.
Don’t give up hope,
we can survive.
Gods on our side.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Merry Christmas from “theunfetteredpreacher”, praying you have a wonderfull new year. Blessings.
As a Christian I have heard all the reasons for not reading the Old Testament.
It’s not relevant, now that we have Jesus.
It’s too confusing, why are their names so hard, and the towns?
Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
The world thinks no one. The world is wrong. We cannot hide, The Lord sees and knows all.
Psalm 139:8
“If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”
Jeremiah 23:24
King James Version (KJV)24
“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.”
Isaiah 29:15
“Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?”
The world believes they can hide their sin, that what they do in secret, is secret. The Lord sees, and He cares. He loves all men, and died that all might be saved.
He sends none to HELL, WE SEND OURSELVES. By ignoring His unspeakable gift. (His death on the cross and resurection). By not asking His forgiveness.
Isaiah 29:12-14
King James Version (KJV)
“And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.”
The marvelous work, is hid, from the wise and prudent, they cannot understand, it is Spirituality discerned. They believe what they see, and touch.
Not that which can see and touch them. We must turn to God.
Psalm 107:18
“Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.”
The refusal of the Lords gift, draws them ever farther from God, the righteousness of God, morality, honesty, integrity.
Psalm 73:28
“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.”
Hebrews 10:22
“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.”
We must ask Gods forgiveness for our secret sins, He knows, and if we continue, they will be revealed. When He forgives, He forgets, I wish I could forget also.
Lord, help me to Submit to You and Resist the devil, so he will flee.
Some sage advice from Paul and James. Hearken Diligently to some Godly council.
1 Corinthians 10:14
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”
Flee from idolatry. The Lord means business.
Exodus 201-4
King James Version (KJV)
“And God spake all these words, saying,
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”
The Lord is pretty clear. He wants our undivided love and obedience. We must learn to love, listen and obey Him.
He has delivered us, gave His life for us. His desire and direction for our life, will always be better then our own.
Philippians 2:12
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.”
Work out your own salvation: Your own, is the key here, as much as we want everyone to know and love the Lord. You are the one who counts.
As we grow in the Lord, we grow in the Fruit, people are attracted to tasty food. The Lord should be a good taste in their mouths.
When they interact with us, our personality, honesty, trustworthiness, joy of and love of the Lord. Should draw them to ask, “what in our life, is different? ” Why are we ….?
If we work on our selves, others will notice.
“with fear and trembling”
Should we be in fear, trembling? We should know the Lord wants us to be Holy, Separated unto Him, (sanctified), Consecrated, (our lives dedicated to His Service). Our minds renewed by the washing of the Word. Our Faith increased by praying in the Holy Spirit.
Knowing the Lord, should relieve us, of Fear of Damnation and Hell….we are delivered from sin and death. Our concern should be, of how we miss the mark. Knowing we are forgiven, if and when we realize it and repent.
James 1:19
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
“swift to hear,”
How often have I heard what I wanted and not what was said, or meant?
How often have we taken offense, where none was meant?
Or Ingnored what we didn’t want to hear.
The world refuses to hear and recognize the Love, Mercy and Grace of the Lord. Pray that theirs ears are opened to the truth.
“slow to speak”
Boy, this is a lesson that is hard for me. Like Peter, I am apt to say, “Not me Lord, I’ll never deny you.” You know what happens.
Psalm 39:1
King James Version (KJV)
“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”
James 1:25-27
King James Version (KJV)
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
James 3:1-10
King James Version (KJV)
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Proverbs 6:2
“Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.”
12-14
” A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.”
16-19
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Our tonuges, what comes out of our mouth, is often a problem. It reveals what is in our hearts. Is it truth and life or sin and death?
2 Peter 3:14
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
“Such things”
2 Peter 3:13b
“look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
We are looking for the promises of God, will we be found to be in peace, without spot, blameless? Will we dwell in righteousness?
Again we must live a life of repentance. Knowing when we miss the mark and be willing to turn from sin to the Lord.
The only righteousness we have is given to us by the blood of Jesus. He has bought and paid for all, only those who accept Him will profit.
If you want your friends and family to come to know the Lord, do as I say, not as I did. Love them in the love of the Lord.
John 3:17
“He came not to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved.”
Lord, open my eyes and heart, to obedience and service.
2 Peter 1 ends with a warning :19b-21
” ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
We need to make sure we believe what the Word actually says. All understanding of scripture should have 2 or more witnesses, (verses that agree), and all who prophesy, their words, need to agree with scripture.
Which brings us to:
2 Peter: 2. 1.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
How do we know who are false prophets and teachers? Like the Treasury Department, (the Secret Service), we need to know the real deal, so we recognize the false.
We cannot rely on others, we must have a basic working knowledge, so we we realize whether what we hear matches the Word. There is no other God, then the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We must know them, walk with them, be led by the person of the Holy Spirit. We need at least an overview of the Word.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
King James Version (KJV)
“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.”
We, in our sophisticated society, no longer believe in Spirits, Ghosts, Miracles, signs and wonders. The Word clearly tells us beware.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
“But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
False prophets can also perform signs and wonders. The Lord allows it:
Deuteronomy 13
“for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
So how can we tell what is truth? We must know the Word, we can’t rely on what we see, we must know the Lord.
Jude 1:4
King James Version (KJV)
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ungodly men:
Men who claim, Holiness, Morality, Honesty are no longer applicable, we are forgiven.
We need to repent, when we sin, ask forgiveness, live a Holy, Acceptable life, become a Living Sacrifice knowing the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Corinthians 6:20
King James Version (KJV)
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Once saved, always saved?
2 Peter: 2. 2.
“And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
This is one of the many scriptures, that if taken at face value debunk that teaching. (Once saved, always saved), If Cain could leave the presence of the Lord, (?), turn His back and walk away, then it is possible for us.
Hebrews 6:4-6
King James Version (KJV)
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
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.”
Forgotten his Salvation. The Prodigal Son returned and his Father ran to meet him, if he had not returned, he was still a son, but lost to the Father.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
We are indeed forgiven but we must be ready, willing and able to repent when we fall short of the Glory of God.
1 Corinthians 5:5
“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
A saint in sin, always has the option of repentance. No repentance, no forgiveness, sin seperates us from God.
You are welcome to disagree, but back it up with scripture.
“No one can snatch us out of His palm,” but His hand is open, we can walk off.
Stand fast in your faith, and see the Salvation of the Lord.
Blessings
Do you ever wonder why the birds seem attracted to certain fields and not others?
Have you noticed people seem to gather at certain churches and not others?
What does one have that the other lacks?
The amount of available food, determines the size of the gathering. We need to be able to multiply our loaves and fishes. We must feed the flock.
2 Peter: 1. 17-21
“For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
In the close, Peter reminds us of the voice of the Father saying “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
2 Peter 1:17-18
“For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.”
The Father told all who would hear 2 times, at the water baptism and at the Mount of Transfiguration “This is my beloved son.”
This will likely cause some to pause but…..Jesus became the only begotten son at the resurrection. He referred to Himself as the only begotten ….but wasn’t called that till after His death and Resurrection.
See Psalms 2:7
“I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”
What day? On earth He called Him beloved, on this day, (resurrection), He was begotten.
Hebrews 1:4-6
“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”
They Worshipped the baby for what He had given up, (devine power and stature) and what He would accomplish. Shedding His blood for our sins.
2 Peter 1:19-21
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
You may not agree on when Jesus became the “only begotten” and that is OK, in heaven we will learn many things that confuse us now.
“whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”
The truly important point of this first chapter of 2 Peter is that we learn to grow in Christ. We continue to seek Him, love Him, and share Him to all we come in contact.
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
“Go ye therefore and teach all Nations.”
2 Peter 1:17-21
“For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Lord, change our hearts, that we become useful vessels of Your Love.
This verse is an encouragement to do the former and a promise of results.
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:“
Be diligent, give serious and thoughtful attention to, read, study, meditate. Know your calling and election. Know who you are and what you are supposed to be doing.
“The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. “
We have been called to serve, so do it. If we do “we shall never fail.” To please and grow in the image of our Lord.
2 Peter 1:11-14
“For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”
We received our ticket to heaven when we accepted Jesus as Lord. The gates of heaven will be opened wide, I am pretty sure there will be a cloud of witnesses to our triumphant entrance.
Peter wants to remind us….to keep on, don’t give up, we will bare fruit at the time appointed. He would have us established, faithful, strong, ready to answer those in need. Work men, not ashamed, working.
Knowing his time is short, Jesus had prophesied his death and he was ready.
2 Peter: 1. 15,16
“Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
He wants us to continue in his absence, he hasn’t made this up, he knew Jesus and faithfully gave us His Word and Will.
2 Peter: 1:10-16
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
Lord, help us to endeavour to grow in your likeness, to walk in Your path, to bring others into Your flock.
Peter is giving us instructions on how to live a Godly life. In the first four verses of 2 Peter 1, he tells is our “precious faith”, is the same faith as the Apostles.
He goes on to tell us, Jesus, “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,” we can live a Godly life, a life of peace, joy and love.
He has also, “given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:” wow…not just promises but exceeding great and precious promises.
That we might become, like Jesus, “having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Jesus, beat the devil, the ways of this world, by knowing and living in the Word, by speaking the Word. We can too, that is the path to a victorious Godly life. He then tells us to grow in the following ways, to exercise them in our life.
“faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity.”
Then another promise.
2 Peter: 1:8,9
“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. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”
Throughout the Word the Lord causes the barren to be fruitful, Peter is telling us how to become fruitful in our knowledge of Jesus. By exercising these things, we will bare fruit, (bring many into the Kingdom.
If we fail to grow in these areas, we are blind and cannot see far off.
Quite simply, we are not understanding the Lords plan and purpose for our Salvation.
He shed His blood, not so we alone, can live with Him, but so all we bring with us, can also. He came into the world, not to condemn but that through Him the world may be saved.
Have we forgotten why we were forgiven? We have joined the heavenly host, we must train and prepare for Spiritual Battle. “Go ye therefore”
2 Peter: 1:8,9
“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. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”
As we continue on, the first words of verse 5 seem confusing. “And beside this” but it simply means since: “having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” We need to continue growing in Jesus.
Peter then gives us a list that is quite close to the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5.
2 Peter: 1. 5-7
” And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
These 2 lists are close.
Galatians 5:22
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
“giving all diligence,”
We must learn to be consistent, methodical in our prayer and study life. Like Appointment TV…get into a rhythm, let God set His watch by your consistency. (Wish I was more consistent. ..do as I say…).
“add to your faith” “faith”
We start out with a measure of faith. We build up our most Holy Faith by praying in the Holy Spirit and learning the Word. As we exercise our Faith we must learn to exercise virtue.
What is virtue? “goodness“
Morality, modesty, honesty, character. ….all the things our politicians don’t understand. As we grow in God these virtues should be growing also.
“Knowledge:” “peace”
See Study 2 Peter 1:2
“temperance” “temperance “
Moderation in food, drink, speech, actions, life. Even sharing our faith…in love….
Philippians 4:5
King James Version (KJV)
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
“patience” “longsuffering”
James 1:2-8
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Learn to wait on the Lord, in peace and joyfully. Somehow I missed “Godliness” In 2 Peter 1:3, so here it is:
“godliness” “gentleness”
Timothy 4:7
King James Version (KJV)
“But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”
Timothy 4:8
King James Version (KJV)
“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
Timothy 6:6
King James Version (KJV)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
2 Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Abstain from lude and rude activities, be content, “believe God is and He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Don’t pretend to be Holy, strive to be Holy.
“brotherly kindness;” “Meekness”
Brotherly love, fellowship, you don’t always have to be right, the best, the boss.
“charity” “love, joy”
“They will know you are my disciples by your love.” “This is My commandment that you love one another. “
Like fruit, it takes time, nourishment, (the Word), and water, (prayer), to grow and be consumed and accepted as sweet comfort to the lost.
2 Peter: 1. 5-8
” And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
I understand these aren’t a great match, but you get the idea.
Lord, help us to grow in you.
As we study the next verse we find a wonderful promises, we need to grab with both hands.
2 Peter: 1. 4.
“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.”
“given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:”
We really can not comprehend the blessings the Lord has for those who learn to walk in His Yoke, by His side, doing His will at His direction and in His Power.
Exodus: 1. 7.
“And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.”
Ephesians: 3. 20.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
All through the Word we find the Lord blessing His chosen. We are His chosen today, we shouldn’t be in want, or fear, but full of “Power and of Love and a Sound Mind.” He loves us, won’t “give a stone when we ask for bread.”
“ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
The Word tells us we are partakers of the divine (Godly) nature. The Word tells us we are partakers of many things.
“partakers of my grace., partakers of his promise ,partakers of the inheritance, partakers of the sufferings, partakers of the benefit, partakers of the heavenly calling, partakers of the Holy Ghost,partakers of his holiness.partakers of Christ’s sufferings, partakers of the divine nature, be not partakers of her sins, partakers of that one bread.partakers of his promise,partakers of the Lord’s table, partakers of their spiritual things,”
“divine nature,”
We become sons, and Hebrews 6:4-5, can be quite exciting when we grasp its meaning.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,”
We have been enlightened, (we know and recognize the Lord). So we have tasted Salvation, the heavenly gift. We have the Holy Spirit, we need to allow Him freedom to work.
We taste the good Word of God, and we should have a taste of the Powers of the world to come. (The Gifts of the Spirit working through us).
John 1;12
“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Romans 8;8-11
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Romans 8:29
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
The Precious Promises are a way to conquer sin and death in our lives. We can if we just learn to trust and walk in Him. Be conformed to His image.
“having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Lust, Greed, Covetousness, Pride, feet that shed inocent blood, lying tounges, sowing discontent. I haven’t checked but I think these are in Proverbs 6, the 7 deadly sins.
2 Peter: 1. 4.
“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.”
Lord, help us to claim and live in Your Precious Promises.
A very long post, sorry.
I hope this study is helpful to my Bible class. I am trying to teach how to dig into the Word and understand the meaning themselves. It’s funny before Salvation, you could not get me to study anything, now I hate to stop.
Let’s look at 2 Peter 1:3.
2 Peter: 1. 3.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
Devine (Godly), Power, what is this? Resurrection, Healing, Words of Wisdom and Knowledge, Faith…ect.
Matthew 22:29
King James Version (KJV)
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
How is God’s Power manifested?
This post will not be so long but I believe interesting nevertheless.
2 Peter 1:2
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,”
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you”
Grace, Gods unmerited Mercy and Favor is the typical explanation of its meaning, but looking from its first mention:
“Noah found Grace in the sight of the Lord”
To Paul and sin and Grace is sufficient, I believe we could substitute Salvation for Grace in many places.
Peace, is the Peace of God in the midst of our problems, strife of life, hurts and bad health. It is the “Peace that passes understanding.”
Multiplied. …really?
“through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,”
As we look at 2 Peter 1:1, We will try to understand his writings, verse by verse, and sometimes word for word. The common meanings and understandings can be different from how we perceive them. So please allow me, to tell us, what we probably already know.
2 Peter: 1. 1.
“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:”
Peter starts out telling us who he is:
A servant:
When he says servant he isn’t talking about the guy who mows your lawn or the nice lady that comes in once a week to clean.
The word used for Servant of Christ, means Bond Slave or Love Slave. In Biblical times you could become a slave if you didn’t pay your debts, and stay a slave for 7 years or until the debt was paid.
Sometimes people were treated so well, they asked to stay provided for, cared for, protected by their Master. He would back them up to the edge of the door and make a hole in their earlobe with an awl.
theunfetteredpreacher 