Blessing of Godliness

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe penultimate lesson of this quarter touches on a thought that I have focused on recently – our return to holiness and righteousness.  As we saw in the second unit of lessons, the Lord has reconciled us unto Himself.  Now, because we have chosen to believe and live by faith in Christ, we live under grace.  In His grace, we are being transformed from our old man and into a new creature that is, again, holy and righteousness; we are u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/in-the-beauty-of-holiness/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229561u0022u003eobtaining our godlinessu003c/au003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eOur Godlinessu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we take a look at our lesson this week, we will see Peter speak to how God’s u003cemu003edivine power u003c/emu003ehas given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.  How was life and godliness given to us?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eGiven by Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI can tell you for a certainty that nobody can make themselves holy and righteous by their own might.  There are many people that believe their wealth should be u003cemu003eglorified u003c/emu003eby all of those around them.  Seriously, I think back to old kings like Nebuchadnezzar who had big images built of themselves so that people could praise and worship their “greatness”.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe only way that you and I can become righteous is u003cemu003eif u003c/emu003ethe Lord u003cemu003emakes us u003c/emu003erighteous.  The only power that we have in “making ourselves righteous” is our choice to be u003cemu003eobedient u003c/emu003ein the way of the Lord.  Obedience leads to righteousness and on the opposite side, disobedience leads to eternal suffering.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, Peter tells us in our opening verse that knowledge of Him (God) and His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to u003cemu003elife and godliness u003c/emu003e(v.3).  Let’s be clear, Peter is saying that we can only become holy and righteous through the Lord.  Trying to become righteous any other way is futile and would only lead to a false self-righteousness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs you heard me say all of January, the Lord u003cemu003ewants u003c/emu003eyou to become holy and righteous!  You see, God u003cemu003ewants u003c/emu003eto dwell with you and the only that He can dwell with you is if you are holy and righteous.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennGod’s desire for mankind has always been that we be just like Him; this is why God created us in His image and likeness (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+1%3A26u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 1:26u003c/au003e).  God created us to be u003cemu003eperfectu003c/emu003e.  Sin, as we know, ruined that as Adam and Eve both chose to disobey God in the garden.  Yet, even after their disobedience in the garden, God made a promise u003cemu003eto Himself u003c/emu003eto restore man back to the image and likeness we were created in.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003ePromised by Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPeter touches on the promises that were made by the Lord and calls them u003cemu003eexceedingly u003c/emu003egreat and u003cemu003epreciousu003c/emu003e (v.4).  In the garden, God promised that Satan would be defeated by Him who u003cemu003eis u003c/emu003edivine (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+3%3A14-15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 3:14-15u003c/au003e).  Him who is divine came to our world u003cemu003efrom eternityu003c/emu003e, in the flesh, and also made a promise to mankind.  Christ promised that all who believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 3:16u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we know, God is certainly faithful and keeps His promises.  Christ defeated Satan on the cross and reconciled all things unto Him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor.+5%3A18u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e2 Cor. 5:18u003c/au003e).  So, as God promised, the opportunity is there today for all people to regain the form mankind once had.  All it takes for us to take on our godliness – our holiness and righteousness – is for us to have faith.  As Peter said, we escape the corruption that is in the world through our genuine faith.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eGrowing in Faithu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, the thing about obtaining godliness is that it takes a journey.  Yes, I can say all day long that we must have faith but the truth of the matter is that having faith is a journey in itself.  A lot of us get to thinking that faith is simply about saying that we believe, but faith is a lot more than this.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eEncouraged to add to faithu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennFaith, we should understand, is action – it is living.  James asked, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can faith save him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas.+2%3A14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJas. 2:14u003c/au003e)?”  James then stated, “Someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’  Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas.+2%3A18u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJas. 2:18u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhat James was saying reminds me of the concept that essentially states you can’t necessarily take people only by their words, but we must take in account their actions as well.  As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.  James concluded that faith without works is dead (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas.+2%3A20%2C26u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJas. 2:20,26u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJames was not the only one to come to this conclusion as Paul essentially stated the same in his teachings.  You see, Jesus taught us that faith is love and that we should u003cemu003emove u003c/emu003ein that love.  So, my point here is that faith cannot be dull and stagnant; faith must continue to improve and grow so that it can move.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe will see Peter state that we must add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (vss.5-7).  For what purpose are we adding these things to our faith?  There are two reasons that we will see Peter give us.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe first reason Peter gives us speaks along the lines of a bible study I did not too long ago – u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/warning-against-being-dull-of-hearing/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u002210199u0022u003eWarning Against Being Dull of Hearingu003c/au003e.  Those that become dull of hearing essentially become lazy in their faith; their laziness hinders their growth in the faith and makes them more susceptible to falling.  So adding on to your faith can only strengthen and u003cemu003eimprove u003c/emu003eyour faith through all that we go through.  You and I should desire to always continue to mature and grow in our faith.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eHelp fulfill our callingu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe also have to keep in mind the task that we have all been commissioned to do by Christ.  Christ has called for us to spread the good news to all people; baptizing all people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit while teaching them the same way that Christ taught us (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+28%3A19-20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 28:19-20u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennBack in 2012, when I first began to publicly preach, I was just a baby in ministering the gospel.  I could adequately use my gift, but there was still much growth for me to do.  So, what did I do?  Did I just sit still in my studies?  Absolutely not.  I had already read the bible in its entirety, spent years in Sunday School and bible studies, but just because I began preaching, I did not stop.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSomething seems to happen in the hearts of some believers to where some begin to believe they are u003cemu003etoo good u003c/emu003efor Sunday School or for Bible Study.  Let me tell you that nobody ever knows too much for Sunday School and for studying scripture.  So, as Peter states here, we should be diligently adding knowledge to our faith.  Paul said to study to show ourselves approved (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Tim.+2%3A15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e2 Tim. 2:15u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPeter said to us that we need to be u003cemu003ediligent u003c/emu003eto make sure our call and election is u003cemu003esure u003c/emu003e(v.10).  In other words, Peter is saying that just because you have become a believer does not mean you should u003cemu003estop u003c/emu003eincreasing your faith!  Peter was saying don’t stop adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, kindness, and love to your faith.  Those that become u003cemu003edull of hearingu003c/emu003e are those who become more susceptible to falling out of the faith.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYet, if we continue to add to our faith we put ourselves in the best position to better fulfill our calling in sharing the good news.  Not only do we put ourselves in the best position in sharing the good news, but Peter says we help ourselves when it comes to stumbling and falling.  As Peter said, the believer that continue to grow in their faith are those that will never have to question where their eternal home will be one day (v.11).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eEyes on heavenu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we come to a close in our lesson this week, we will see that Peter was looking ahead to his earthly journey coming to an end (vss.13-14).  So, Peter was sharing this message to encourage others to continue in true godliness (v.12).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSomething that all of us believers must come to learn is that we don’t just live for ourselves.  No, we live in service to all of those that are around us, whether they are believers or not.  The true image of godliness, we have to remember, is based on the image and likeness of the Lord!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDoes God only love a select few?  Absolutely not.  Jesus told us Himself that God loved the world which is why He gave the world His only begotten Son.  So, if we are striving to be Christ-like, then our love cannot be just for a select few!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe whole reason for us receiving the Great Commission is because the Lord loves all people.  God desires for all people to repent and become holy and righteous once again.  So, we should live with a mindset and a desire as believers that is heaven focused, not just for ourselves but for all of those around us.  Peter’s eyes was on heaven for not just himself, but for us, and our eyes should be trained in the same manner.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e