2 Peter 1, Part 3

 Faith and virtue

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-11

Now, this is a mouthful I know. Again, there is a wealth of information in this passage that will take some time to break down, and fully examine. Let's start with this.

"For this very reason,"

For what reason? I hope you have been with us from the beginning, but if you haven't, you can always read the archives. "For this reason" is talking about what we discussed last time. Because of Jesus, we are grace-covered, peace-filled, blood-bought, children of God. We are no longer slaves to sin and death but have received the gift of salvation into eternal life with God Himself. Now read that again.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,"

What is virtue? "Behavior showing high moral standards."

Now I know that some of you may be thinking "Who's moral standards?" I mean, let's be honest. This keeps changing. What was once considered sin and wrong is now ok? It's 2022 you know? That is why you must, as a child of God, seek HIS moral standards. Not the world.

Yes, the world used to see pornography as wrong and modesty as a virtue. Take a look at Tic Toc and other social media. Now we have VERY underage girls dancing and showing their bodies for likes and followers. The world used to see abortion as what it was, horrendous murder of the most innocent. Now we are nearly at civil war over the High Court overturning Roe vs Wade. The world used to see marriage as a Holy Union between one man and one woman. Now? Anything goes. From Homosexuality to marrying oneself, to pets, and all other debaucheries. Look around at what is popular today. Drug use, excessive drinking, promiscuous sex, and the kind of uninhibited activity that happens daily, and sometimes on social media for all to see.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. What was sin then, is sin now, and will kill you quicker at that. Seek God's moral standards. Putting others before yourself. Love. Kindness.

"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," Ephesians 4:2

We should be.

"Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians 3:13

How do we differentiate between what is Godly and what is worldly, if there is any doubt?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

How do you know? This. {Holding up the Bible} This will tell you. This will keep you. This will love you if you read it and love it back. This is the living word of the living and true God. No. There are no contradictions. No there are no mistakes. No, it was not written by men to control society. No, it must not change to "keep up with the times." It is what it is. Absolute and the final truth in all things.

Here is the danger of not reading this. {Holding up the Bible} You can, and in so many cases, you will, believe lies. They will mask it with the word "compassion."

What do I mean? God says, "Thou Shalt Not Murder." The world says, "But wait, what if little Suzy is minding her own business, and some old evil guy rapes her? She should not be punished "with a child for the rest of her life." What if that old evil guy is her own Father? It is compassionate to say, that we have the ability to 'correct' that mistake and end her pregnancy. As a matter of fact, for whatever reason, it should be a woman's right to choose what to do with her body. Right?"

God says Homosexuality is Sin. The world says, "How can a long-term, loving, kind, relationship be evil? And while we are at it, why can't these two marry. Is it not compassionate to want 'equality.' After all, People in black robes, in the Highest Court of the land said it is a "Right." Oh, and is it not compassionate that they should hear what they are doing is wrong? So shut up about it already."

Jesus says, there is only one way to get to Heaven, and that is? Through Him. The world says, "That is a narrow-minded, exclusive, and even hate-filled, ignorant view. Compassion tells us that all religions are equal and that people can believe whatever they want. Your 'Truth' is no better than anyone else's 'truth'. So keep your 'version' of truth to yourself."

It is compassion that says, we cannot call sin for what it is, sin? Compassion tells us we must live and let live? Compassion tells us we must allow anyone to "associate" as whatever they want. Compassion tells us that not only do we now have to accept sin, but we must honor, celebrate, and even protect, sin? Compassion tells us that if something is offensive to someone, we must change it or ban it?

Look in the news today. Someone becomes offended, and the entire history is erased. Flags banned. TV shows banned. Merchandise banned. Speech silenced. Religion is attacked at an ever-growing rate. God mocked and Jesus denounced. Children of God attacked personally, financially, and yes, even physically.

While this is all going on, some very good people, {in a worldly sense} are standing, cheering, and applauding, because they have been taught, that this is right and just. Compassion. If it "feels" right and just, then it must be right and just. If it "FEELS" good, then do it. Compassion. And if you disagree, then you will be seen as a troublemaker. You will be seen as a problem. You will have to be dealt with. Why? Because compassion tells us this.

This {Holding up the Bible} This is your barometer. Your measuring stick. This is your test. What does this say about this or that? This is what God says. This is the truth. It does not matter what society says. This is what you should believe and follow. This is your life guide. Your flashlight in the dark world in which we live. This is how we can,

""For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,"

This is how we learn to add knowledge to it.

"and virtue with knowledge,"

More on that next time.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, comment, questions, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!!