SHOW YOURSELF TO BE AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN

Transcription

1 SHOWYOURSELFTOBEANAUTHENTICCHRISTIAN 1SimonPeter,aservantandanapostleofJesusChrist,tothosewhohavereceivedthe samefaithasusintherighteousnessofourgodandsaviorjesuschrist. 2 Graceand peacebemultipliedtoyou,[together]withtheknowledgeofgodandofjesusourlord. 3 His divine power has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness by the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and virtue, 4 (together with [these things]therehasbeengiventouspreciousandverygreatpromises),sothatbythese thingsyoumayshareinthedivinenature,havingescapedfromthecorruptionthatis intheworldcausedby[evil]desire. 5 Now,forthisveryreason,givingallyoureffort,addvirtuetoyourfaith,and[add] knowledgetovirtue, 6 and[add]self controltoknowledge,and[add]perseveranceto self control, and [add] godliness to perseverance, 7 and [add] brotherly affection to godliness, and [add] love to brotherly affection. 8 If you possess these qualities in increasingmeasure,theywillpreventyoufrombeingeitheruselessorunfruitfulwith regard to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 He who lacks these qualities is blind heis[spiritually]near sighted,havingforgottenthecleansingfromhisformer sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to authenticate your calling and election;forbydoingthesethingsyouwillneverbelost. 11 [Byfollowingthiscourse,] theentranceintotheeternalkingdomofourlordandsaviorjesuschristwillbemade wideopenforyou.(2pet.1:1 11) Introduction SupposethatoneSaturdayafternoonyouarecleaningoutyourattic.Asyouwork your way through piles of old junk, you come across an old photograph; it s an autographedpictureofthefamousbaseballplayer,baberuth. Youtaketheautographedphototoasportsmemorabiliadealertofindoutwhatitis worthandwhathewouldrecommendthatyoudowithit.thelocaldealertellsyou that you need to have the photo authenticated; you need to have someone knowledgeableinthefieldverifyandconfirmthattheautographisgenuine.sohe sendsyoutoacollectorinnewyorktocomparethesignatureonyourphotowith hisbaberuthautographeditemsthatareknowntobeoriginals.thatishowyougo aboutauthenticatingyourphoto verifyingandconfirmingthatitisagenuinebabe Ruthautographedpicture. The Apostle Peter is speaking about this very same kind of thing when he writes: Therefore,brothers,beallthemorediligenttoauthenticateyourcallingandelection (vs. 10.) The word sometimes translated, to make sure (bebaiov), means, to confirm, to verify, to authenticate; in other words, to prove or demonstrate something to be genuine. Having received Christ as your Savior, you must give diligence to develop a Christ like character, and thereby demonstrate that you are anauthenticchristian.

2 I.ShowYourselftobeanAuthenticChristian, ByExhibitingtheDivineNature Peter describes an authentic Christian as someone who has received the same faith as us in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ (vs. 1.) What Peterisspeakingaboutisatrust,or,confidence,intherighteousnessofChrist which is the very righteousness of God to make you acceptable before God, as opposedtoseekingtomanufactureandtrustinarighteousnessofyourown.this isthesamethingofwhichtheapostlepaulwrites: However,whateverthingsweregaintome,thesethingsI[now]regardasloss onaccountofchrist. 8 Butmuchmorethanthat,Iregardallthingsaslosson account of the all surpassing value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, becauseofwhomihavesufferedthelossofallthings.indeed,iregardallsuch thingsasrubbish,inorderthatimaygainchrist, 9 andbefoundinhim not havingmyownrighteousness,whichisderivedfromthelaw,butthatwhichis throughfaithinchrist,therighteousnessthatisfromgod[received]byfaith. (Phil.3:7 9) ThisfaithitselfisagraciousgiftofGod,enablingyou1)toacknowledgetheholy demandsofgod;2)torecognizeyourowninabilitytomeetthosedemands;3)to seethedivinerighteousnessofthelordjesuschrist;and4)tohumblyplaceyour confidenceinhimforyoursalvation. PeterfurtherdescribesanauthenticChristianassomeonewhohasbeencalledto shareinthedivinenature (vs.4.)thatistosay,thepurposeofgodisnotonly forchristtoofferuntogodhisdivinerighteousnessonyourbehalf,butalsofor youtoparticipateinhisdivinerighteousness.god spurposeisnotonlyforchrist torepresentyoubeforegod,butalsoforyoutoshareinwhatchristis,namely, theholyoneofgod.theapostlepaulexplainsthispurposeofredemptioninthe followingterms: thosewhomgodforeknewhealsopredestinedtobeconformedto the likeness of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Rom.8:29.)Or,again,ashedescribesitin2Corinthians5:21, Him[Christ]who knew no sin [God] made to be sin on our behalf; so that we might become the righteousnessofgodinhim. Bywayofillustration:Needingthepropergarments ofholinessinordertodwellinthepresenceofgod,theholyspiritnotonlyplaces uponuschrist sowngarmentsofrighteousness,healsoaltersustofitintothose garmentsofrighteousness. PeterfurthermoredescribesanauthenticChristianassomeonewhohasreceived cleansingfromhisformersins (vs.9.)onceagain,theapostlepaulgivesamore detailedexpositionofthisdivinetruth,declaringthatgod savedusthroughthe washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5b.) Paul graphically portraystheholyspiritasbathingthesinner slifeandsoulinthecleansingblood ofjesuschrist,andthenbringingthatmanoutofthatspiritualbath,notonlyas one who has become morally clean, but one who has become spiritually

3 transformedintoanewcreation.notethatpeterspeaksofbeingcleansedfrom our former sins. The implication is that we have been redeemed from the dominionofsininordertolivealifeofholinessuntogod,aspeteremphasizedin his first epistle: As obedient children, no longer conform to the passions you formerlyhadwhenyoulivedinignorance. 15 Butjustashewhocalledyouisholy, youalsobeholyinallyourconduct, 16 becauseitiswritten, Beholy,becauseIam holy (1Pet.1:14 16.) Show yourself to be an authentic Christian, by exhibiting the divine nature. Are youtrustingchrist,notonlytorepresentyoubeforegod,butalsotochangeyou into what is pleasing and acceptable to God? Are you receiving from Christ, not onlyforgivenessofsins,butalsonewspirituallife,thelifeofgodliness? II.ShowYourselftobeanAuthenticChristian, ByHavingaFruitfulRelationshipwithChrist Peterexhortsusto giveallyoureffort tobuildalifeofchristianvirtuesuponthe foundation of our Christian faith. We are not being called upon to look within ourselvesandrelyuponourownresourcestoproducethemoralattributespeter goes on to enumerate in this passage. On the contrary, we are to look to Christ andrelyuponhimtosupplyuswithhisdivineresourcesandtoreproducehis divine virtues in us. But we must be actively involved in this building process, note Philippians 2:12 13, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is working in you both to create the desire and to producetheworkforthesakeofhisgoodpurpose (Phil.2:12 13.) Peterdescribestheattributesweareto add toourfaith thekindofchristian life we are to pursue and develop. To our faith we are to add virtue (or, goodness. ) What is being referred to here is moral excellence, the character of God we are called to display the virtues of the God who has saved us(1 Pet. 2:9.) To virtue we are to add knowledge. We are called to increase in our knowledgeofgodandhisways,asthepsalmistprays, OpenmyeyessothatI maybeholdwonderfulthingsinyourlaw (Psl119:18.)Note:Inthiscontext,God s law, referstothewholeofscripture,forthepsalmistthatwouldconsistofwhat OldTestamentportionswereavailabletohiminthestageofredemptivehistory inwhichhelived.asweapplytoourlivesthespiritualknowledgewepresently possess we increase our capacity to receive a greater degree of spiritual knowledge: Iunderstandmorethantheaged,becauseIhavekeptyourprecepts (Psl.119:100.) To knowledge we are to add self control. It is necessary not only to know the truth,butalsotodothetruth,tobringourlivesconsistentlyunderthediscipline of God s truth, developing patterns of behavior and life style that are in conformity with God s truth. Jesus commands us, Take my yoke upon you and learnfromme,foriamgentleandhumbleinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyour souls (Matt.11:29.)Toself controlwearetoadd perseverance. Conformingto

4 thelifeandcharacterofchristishard,itgoescontrarytotheremnantsoftheold sinfulnaturethatstillclingtous,anditmayalsoresultinsufferinghardshipas His holy life seen in us convicts the world of sin. So there is the need for perseverance: We do not want you to become lax, but to imitate those who throughfaithandperseveranceinheritwhathasbeenpromised (Heb.6:12.) Toperseverancewearetoadd godliness. TheChristianlifeisnottobeequated withmoralism themechanicalconformitytoacold,lifeless,moralstandard.on the contrary, the Christian life involves the living, personal attribute of godliness developing, deepening, broadening our relationship with God; expressingareverenceandloveforgodthataredemonstratedthroughtrustand obedience. Togodlinesswearetoadd brotherlyaffection. OurrelationshipwithGodisnot only a deeply personal relationship between the Christian and his heavenly Father, it also encompasses an active personal relationship between ourselves andfellowchristians,note1john4:20 21, Ifanyonesays,IloveGod,yethateshisbrother,heisaliar;foranyonewhodoes notlovehisbrother,whomhehasseen,cannotlovegod,whomhehasnotseen. 21 Andhehasgivenusthiscommandment:WhoeverlovesGodmustalsolovehis brother.(1jn.4:20 21) Finally,tobrotherlyaffectionwearetoadd love. Therelationshipwehavewith Godisnotonlypersonal,anditdoesnotonlyextendtoourfellowChristians,itis also to express itself in our relationship to our neighbor. Peter has taken us through a process of spiritual growth that has been summarized by our Lord Himselfasfollows: Jesusreplied:LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoul andwithallyourmind. 38 Thisisthefirstandgreatestcommandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophetsdependuponthesetwocommandments.(Matt.22:37 39) IfwearebuildingalifeofChristianvirtueuponthefoundationofourChristian faith, then our relationship with Christ is productive and fruitful. Conversely, if thisprocessofchristiancharacter buildingisabsentfromone slife,itindicates that his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is barren, sterile and meaningless likeadry,lifelessbranchonavine. ThisisamatterofgreatimportanceandconcerninthelightofJesus ownwords: "IamthetruevineandmyFatheristhegardener. 2 Heremoveseverybranchinme thatdoesnotbearfruit.buthepruneseverybranchthatdoesbearfruit,sothatit maybearmorefruit"(jn.15:1 2.)

5 ShowyourselftobeanauthenticChristian,onewhoserelationshipwithChristis fruitful. III.ShowYourselftobeanAuthenticChristian, ByRelyinguponGod sresources ScriptureassuresusthatGod sdivinepower hasgivenuseverythingpertaining tolifeandgodlinessbytheknowledgeofhimwhocalledustohisowngloryand virtue (vs. 3.) In other words, in His divine wisdom and by His divine power, GodhasprovideduswithallweneedinourendeavortodevelopourChristian life. HehassupplieduswithHisWord;containingHiscommandmentsandpromises, aswellasthepersonalrevelationofhimself.hehassupplieduswithhisholy Spirittocounsel,tostrengthen,tocomfort,toconvict,todefend,andtocarryout God s work of redemption in us. He has supplied us with Christ s own intercession, as the writer to the Hebrews informs us: he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercedeforthem (Heb.7:25.)HehassupplieduswithHischurch,toprovide Christian friendship and fellowship; to provide support, teaching, testimony, example, service, and prayer; to provide the administration of the sacraments and,whenneeded,toprovidebiblicaldiscipline. ByavailingourselvesofthedivineresourcesGodhasplacedatourdisposal,we areurgedto authenticateourcallingandelection (vs.10.)thatistosay,weare tomakediligentuseofthedivineresourcesinthebuildingofalifeofchristian virtue,andtherebydemonstratethatthefaithweprofessisauthentic,thatitisa genuine,soul savingfaithinthelordjesuschrist. Petertellsusthat bydoingthesethingsyouwillneverbelost. ByheedingPeter s exhortationtodiligentlydevelopourgod givensalvationwewillneverfallaway from Christ; we will never drift away from Him, losing interest in Him, being luredawayfromhimbytheenticementsandpressuresofthispresentworld.on thecontrary, theentranceintotheeternalkingdomofourlordandsaviorjesus Christwillbemadewideopenforyou. ShowyourselftobeanauthenticChristian,byrelyinguponthedivineresources Godhasplacedatourdisposalforthepurposeofdevelopingandcultivatingour spiritualgrowthandwellbeing. Conclusion Having received Christ as your Savior, you must give diligence to develop your Christianlife,andtherebydemonstrateyourselftobeanauthenticChristian.Inthe wordsofscripture, bydoingthesethingsyouwillneverbelost. 11 Byfollowingthis

6 coursetheentranceintotheeternalkingdomofourlordandsaviorjesuschristwill bemadewideopenforyou (2Pet.1:10 11.)