2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And in the stage of knowledge, let it supply temperance. The word temperance in the dictionary is defined as self-control. But I don't wish to use that term because it makes it sound like you need to get a grip on yourself or something. Literally, the Greek word means not self-control, but the control of self. It's made up of two words. Number one, in, and the word grip. It depicts and expresses the control of God's Spirit on a person's life. It is a Spiritual control of one's life.
And notice how it's building off of interaction and participation with the divine nature comes knowing Him, and when you come to know Him, it produces a control over yourself. That influence, that relationship, is a control over one's life.
Next, and to temperance, or the control of self, patience; That's the Greek word for endurance. Remember that longsuffering is the word for slow in human reaction towards people, but this one, HUPOMENO, means to remain under or endure circumstances.
So, I will not be able to endure my circumstances spiritually until my interaction with the divine nature produces the qualities of His nature. And coming to know Him personally and intimately, which produces the control of His Spirit over my life, and when His Spirit has a grip and control over my life, I can remain under. It's a stage of growth, being able to remain under and not have to go anywhere or do anything to escape any situation.
Both in this list, and the one in 1 John Chapter 4, it tells us that love is the most spiritually mature stage and process a person can be in. AGAPE is not something a human being can produce. Galatians 5:22 tells us that AGAPE love is produced by the Holy Spirit. It's the same love that God loved us with.
In fact, 1 John Chapter 4 tells us that God is love. Love is His nature, His quality. And He is concerned about our spiritual welfare, so He sent His Son to die for us. When you reach AGAPE love as a mature point in your walk with the Lord, it means by now you've lost everything. Now it's whatever the Lord wants, and whatever I can do for my brothers and sisters in Christ. But what about what I want? Eventually I have to come to the point to where I have no agenda, I'm not going anywhere, I don't have to be anywhere, so that God's AGAPE love can influence my life!
Now in Verses 8 through 11, we have the participation in the entrance to heaven. There are some who might not know what the bible teaches about entrance into heaven for the believer. Both Peter and Paul taught this. Paul taught it more extensively as we'll see here in a moment. But there will be a difference in heaven among Christians. Spiritually, we will all have a spiritual body, and we will all be the same, but we will be different in development.
Mom and Dad are struggling to keep from rescuing her after her crying for just a short time. But for me, she does get herself to sleep within 15 minutes or so. She will learn to do this if we are consistent.) So, I pray for the Lord to strengthen Rosie's parents for the task of winning the battle of the will with her when it is necessary to do so. It is not about winning, but about training her in what is best for her. I have done this repeatedly many years ago, but this is their first time. She puts up a good fight, but she is safe and in good hands with all of us.
Jesse, there are so many eras in our lives that need to be approached on their own with the power, grace, and guidance of the Spirit. May we always have ears to hear Him and eyes that see things from a righteous spiritual perspective. You and your wife are just 3 years younger than we are but most likely you are finding a need to reassess things in your life at this juncture as we are. It is good to have others in Christ who are facing similar life passages. We can build each other up and your postings on Peter are doing just that.
I hope that all your repairs get done before the summer ends. It is good to know that you have a lovely view from your deck. We look at our back neighbor's home, but we have planted trees along the fenceline (many years ago) that are now very tall to shield the view for us and for her. WE are doing what we can to mitigate the need for privacy between us. She is a good neighbor and was here before we moved in 30 years ago. She lost her husband 6 years ago to an unexpected early death and is now retired. Her son is going to law school and come to visit at times but she is mostly by herself now. We do talk now and then and don't bother one another. This I am thankful for considering the problems we face with our other neighbor. We are still negotiating with him. I am hopeful that we will come to an agreement soon that will end this problem. Please pray for us.
Thank you so much for the conversation. I will continue to keep you and your family in prayer. In all things, we are to trust in the Lord, for His ways to be perfected in our lives, no matter our circumstances.
Our deck should be done by the end of this week (hoping) Eric (our contractor) is leaving next weekend for a vacation. He will complete the roof when he returns.
Steve is getting tired of the process of remodeling since it has gone on since 12/24. I, on the other hand, love the process and don't mind the mess because I can see the end project and how we will enjoy it. Two people with two different perspectives on the same circumstances! Helps me to keep this in mind in most situations. My patience is much more developed than Steve's. But when it comes to financial planning, saving, etc. he shines. After 45 years we are still learning more about each other and also gaining deeper understanding of one another. Think of how it will be in the life to come when it comes to us learning and gaining understanding about God and His amazing, infinite and perfect nature!
In this life, we know partly and dimly, as Paul says, but in the life to come, we will be far less fettered by our human nature due to it being glorified.
These epistles of Peter are some of my favorites because of how practical they are in advising us all in how important it is to grow up in Christ, especially to prepare us for times where we may face troubles and trials if we are now at peace as well as to encourage those who are being persecuted now. I am reminded how I need to be grateful for the peaceful life I have right now and to yield to the work of the Spirit as He prepares and equips me for any hardships I may face in the remaining time I have to live this life. Our world is changing so rapidly and in the U.S. things can swing so far back and forth between administration that we can be tossed to and fro if we are not grounded in Christ in whatever circumstance we find ourselves facing each day or down the road from now.
Being almost 70 adjust my perspective, knowing, Lord willing, I may have 20 more years to live. So I must decide how I want to live out these years, not necessarily in comfort and ease because I am not in control of that, but living now in the blessing of God in retirement. I want to live a life worthy of the calling of God on my life, but that calling now is much different than it was 10-20-30-or 40 years ago.
I can tell that I am getting more weakened physically than even when I turned 60, but I am still able to do most every task set before me each day. Spending time each day with Rosie, our granddaughter, is such a blessing, but also I know that I am an influence in her life that is very important, so I want to do well for her sake and be a good example of care-giving for my son and daughter-in-law. Most grandparents do not have this opportunity on a daily basis, so I am well aware of how God has gifted me with this joy. (Right now I am hearing her cry because she is being put to bed in her crib instead of having Mom lay with her until she sleeps in their bed. It is time for her to learn this and it is easier for me to put her down and leave her to get herself to sleep. Pt. 2
2 Peter 1:7 - And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
And in the stage of godliness, let it produce brotherly kindness to you;
That's the word PHILADELPHIA, brotherly love. It is interesting that the last two have to do with love. And they are the last two phases, or stages of spiritual growth. Everything else is a struggle. I've got to endure, I've got to make it, I've got to trust the Lord, and it's back and forth and all over the place. Oh yea, and I got to love my brothers too, like you can fit that in somewhere!
But this is the love for the family of the Lord. It's where you're at peace with God and you know Him. He's in control of your life, and you can just let go and trust Him, not because of a principle that you follow, but because you know Him. And you can be sensitive to the brothers and sisters in Christ. As a matter of fact, as you go through these stages of growth, you become more sacrificial, more giving up of yourself.
The first five have to do with giving up yourself to the Lord to go through all of these phases. Every one of these phases is just kind of telling you to let go. It's a struggle between you and the Lord, and how much you're going to trust Him, and how much you're going to give over to Him, and how much you're going to let go.
But the last two have to do with the sacrificial relationship with the body of Christ, the family of the Lord. Let your reverence, your attitude that you have now in respect to the Lord, let out of that grow a love for the family of God. And lastly: And in brotherly love, let it supply AGAPE. The word charity in the King James is the word AGAPE love.
And in patience, or endurance, let it produce godliness;
That's the word reverence towards God. And you might ask why in the world is that way up there? Well, if you notice in our daily lives, if we're under extremely difficult circumstances, and we are called upon by the Lord to endure, but we murmur and complain about it, we get mad at the Lord about it, and we say get me out of this because I don't want to do this.
If we say I don't want to have to trust you, or I can't trust you, then we begin to express our lack of reverence to God Himself. And it is interesting that once we reach the phase of being able to endure, because of the control God has over our life from within, because of our personal relationship with Him, it's interesting how our attitude towards the Lord changes!
The Lord is capable. He's sufficient. I'm not mad at Him anymore, so I can respect and reverence God, and I can tell people. I can make it through my situation because the Lord is sustaining me, and I know Him. And people can see Christ in your life, His influence, and His presence, and that you know Him.
2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And in the stage of knowledge, let it supply temperance. The word temperance in the dictionary is defined as self-control. But I don't wish to use that term because it makes it sound like you need to get a grip on yourself or something. Literally, the Greek word means not self-control, but the control of self. It's made up of two words. Number one, in, and the word grip. It depicts and expresses the control of God's Spirit on a person's life. It is a Spiritual control of one's life.
And notice how it's building off of interaction and participation with the divine nature comes knowing Him, and when you come to know Him, it produces a control over yourself. That influence, that relationship, is a control over one's life.
Next, and to temperance, or the control of self, patience; That's the Greek word for endurance. Remember that longsuffering is the word for slow in human reaction towards people, but this one, HUPOMENO, means to remain under or endure circumstances.
So, I will not be able to endure my circumstances spiritually until my interaction with the divine nature produces the qualities of His nature. And coming to know Him personally and intimately, which produces the control of His Spirit over my life, and when His Spirit has a grip and control over my life, I can remain under. It's a stage of growth, being able to remain under and not have to go anywhere or do anything to escape any situation.
2 Peter 1:7 Continued
Both in this list, and the one in 1 John Chapter 4, it tells us that love is the most spiritually mature stage and process a person can be in. AGAPE is not something a human being can produce. Galatians 5:22 tells us that AGAPE love is produced by the Holy Spirit. It's the same love that God loved us with.
In fact, 1 John Chapter 4 tells us that God is love. Love is His nature, His quality. And He is concerned about our spiritual welfare, so He sent His Son to die for us. When you reach AGAPE love as a mature point in your walk with the Lord, it means by now you've lost everything. Now it's whatever the Lord wants, and whatever I can do for my brothers and sisters in Christ. But what about what I want? Eventually I have to come to the point to where I have no agenda, I'm not going anywhere, I don't have to be anywhere, so that God's AGAPE love can influence my life!
Now in Verses 8 through 11, we have the participation in the entrance to heaven. There are some who might not know what the bible teaches about entrance into heaven for the believer. Both Peter and Paul taught this. Paul taught it more extensively as we'll see here in a moment. But there will be a difference in heaven among Christians. Spiritually, we will all have a spiritual body, and we will all be the same, but we will be different in development.
Pt. 2
Mom and Dad are struggling to keep from rescuing her after her crying for just a short time. But for me, she does get herself to sleep within 15 minutes or so. She will learn to do this if we are consistent.) So, I pray for the Lord to strengthen Rosie's parents for the task of winning the battle of the will with her when it is necessary to do so. It is not about winning, but about training her in what is best for her. I have done this repeatedly many years ago, but this is their first time. She puts up a good fight, but she is safe and in good hands with all of us.
Jesse, there are so many eras in our lives that need to be approached on their own with the power, grace, and guidance of the Spirit. May we always have ears to hear Him and eyes that see things from a righteous spiritual perspective. You and your wife are just 3 years younger than we are but most likely you are finding a need to reassess things in your life at this juncture as we are. It is good to have others in Christ who are facing similar life passages. We can build each other up and your postings on Peter are doing just that.
I hope that all your repairs get done before the summer ends. It is good to know that you have a lovely view from your deck. We look at our back neighbor's home, but we have planted trees along the fenceline (many years ago) that are now very tall to shield the view for us and for her. WE are doing what we can to mitigate the need for privacy between us. She is a good neighbor and was here before we moved in 30 years ago. She lost her husband 6 years ago to an unexpected early death and is now retired. Her son is going to law school and come to visit at times but she is mostly by herself now. We do talk now and then and don't bother one another. This I am thankful for considering the problems we face with our other neighbor. We are still negotiating with him. I am hopeful that we will come to an agreement soon that will end this problem. Please pray for us.
Thank you so much for the conversation. I will continue to keep you and your family in prayer. In all things, we are to trust in the Lord, for His ways to be perfected in our lives, no matter our circumstances.
Blessings to you in Christ!
Let me share something I find hilarious.
I come from a construction family,
My grandfather was a builder in the 1940's and his sons worked for him and nearly every contractor or subcontractors got their work from him.
When he passed away the business was passed down to two of his sons, "my dad and his older brother"
Me and my brothers and cousins worked for them.
In the late 80's I moved to Georgia and started up a small construction business and eventuality a small trucking business.
I retired the construction business three years ago, however I kept some of my tools so I can do projects around the house.
After retiring it and without taking a breaks I started building a nice size deck on the back of my house. BY MY SELF! (Three years ago)
Now I am adding to it, BY MY SELF! and have been working on it for the last 10 months.
When I was younger I could build this by my self in two weeks.
I told my wife last week when I am done I am selling ALL my tools and she can have my work shop and store all of her craft and miscellaneous stuff.
She's already selling my tools.
Blessings.
The remodel began in 12/23. I lose track of time a lot as it seems to go by faster with age.
That is a funny story!
Our deck should be done by the end of this week (hoping) Eric (our contractor) is leaving next weekend for a vacation. He will complete the roof when he returns.
Steve is getting tired of the process of remodeling since it has gone on since 12/24. I, on the other hand, love the process and don't mind the mess because I can see the end project and how we will enjoy it. Two people with two different perspectives on the same circumstances! Helps me to keep this in mind in most situations. My patience is much more developed than Steve's. But when it comes to financial planning, saving, etc. he shines. After 45 years we are still learning more about each other and also gaining deeper understanding of one another. Think of how it will be in the life to come when it comes to us learning and gaining understanding about God and His amazing, infinite and perfect nature!
In this life, we know partly and dimly, as Paul says, but in the life to come, we will be far less fettered by our human nature due to it being glorified.
These epistles of Peter are some of my favorites because of how practical they are in advising us all in how important it is to grow up in Christ, especially to prepare us for times where we may face troubles and trials if we are now at peace as well as to encourage those who are being persecuted now. I am reminded how I need to be grateful for the peaceful life I have right now and to yield to the work of the Spirit as He prepares and equips me for any hardships I may face in the remaining time I have to live this life. Our world is changing so rapidly and in the U.S. things can swing so far back and forth between administration that we can be tossed to and fro if we are not grounded in Christ in whatever circumstance we find ourselves facing each day or down the road from now.
Being almost 70 adjust my perspective, knowing, Lord willing, I may have 20 more years to live. So I must decide how I want to live out these years, not necessarily in comfort and ease because I am not in control of that, but living now in the blessing of God in retirement. I want to live a life worthy of the calling of God on my life, but that calling now is much different than it was 10-20-30-or 40 years ago.
I can tell that I am getting more weakened physically than even when I turned 60, but I am still able to do most every task set before me each day. Spending time each day with Rosie, our granddaughter, is such a blessing, but also I know that I am an influence in her life that is very important, so I want to do well for her sake and be a good example of care-giving for my son and daughter-in-law. Most grandparents do not have this opportunity on a daily basis, so I am well aware of how God has gifted me with this joy. (Right now I am hearing her cry because she is being put to bed in her crib instead of having Mom lay with her until she sleeps in their bed. It is time for her to learn this and it is easier for me to put her down and leave her to get herself to sleep. Pt. 2
2 Peter 1:7 - And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
And in the stage of godliness, let it produce brotherly kindness to you;
That's the word PHILADELPHIA, brotherly love. It is interesting that the last two have to do with love. And they are the last two phases, or stages of spiritual growth. Everything else is a struggle. I've got to endure, I've got to make it, I've got to trust the Lord, and it's back and forth and all over the place. Oh yea, and I got to love my brothers too, like you can fit that in somewhere!
But this is the love for the family of the Lord. It's where you're at peace with God and you know Him. He's in control of your life, and you can just let go and trust Him, not because of a principle that you follow, but because you know Him. And you can be sensitive to the brothers and sisters in Christ. As a matter of fact, as you go through these stages of growth, you become more sacrificial, more giving up of yourself.
The first five have to do with giving up yourself to the Lord to go through all of these phases. Every one of these phases is just kind of telling you to let go. It's a struggle between you and the Lord, and how much you're going to trust Him, and how much you're going to give over to Him, and how much you're going to let go.
But the last two have to do with the sacrificial relationship with the body of Christ, the family of the Lord. Let your reverence, your attitude that you have now in respect to the Lord, let out of that grow a love for the family of God. And lastly: And in brotherly love, let it supply AGAPE. The word charity in the King James is the word AGAPE love.
2 Peter 1:6 Continued
And in patience, or endurance, let it produce godliness;
That's the word reverence towards God. And you might ask why in the world is that way up there? Well, if you notice in our daily lives, if we're under extremely difficult circumstances, and we are called upon by the Lord to endure, but we murmur and complain about it, we get mad at the Lord about it, and we say get me out of this because I don't want to do this.
If we say I don't want to have to trust you, or I can't trust you, then we begin to express our lack of reverence to God Himself. And it is interesting that once we reach the phase of being able to endure, because of the control God has over our life from within, because of our personal relationship with Him, it's interesting how our attitude towards the Lord changes!
The Lord is capable. He's sufficient. I'm not mad at Him anymore, so I can respect and reverence God, and I can tell people. I can make it through my situation because the Lord is sustaining me, and I know Him. And people can see Christ in your life, His influence, and His presence, and that you know Him.
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