Last words - almost Part 8

Last words – almost Part 8

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.   (2Pe 1:5-7)  ESV

There are some powerful words in scripture.  Words like grace, redemption, salvation, etc.  Though these are great and powerful words we all too often miss others like:  but, if, therefore, also, in order that (one word in Greek).

In just glossing over these little words, we often miss a great deal of focus and assurance.

Here in verse 5 we find the word “also.”  We’ve looked at the “reasons” in verses 2-4 but Peter tells us there are “also” reasons.  In other words, there are more reasons to follow the guidance he’s about to give than just those reasons he just enumerated.

Scripture is like an elephant.  It’s big!  The only way to eat an elephant is one piece at a time.  The only way to “walk the walk” is one step at a time.

The fact that there are “also” reasons should encourage us greatly.  It should also make us curious about those “other” reasons.  This curiosity only happens when we make it a habit to study the Word of God wisely.

What I mean by wisely is taking into account (which means we need to know) the contexts, the history, the audience, the circumstances – as much about what we are reading as we can know.  Otherwise, we are reading the Word with a very narrow, if not myopic, view.

When we read the scripture that way, it tends to be all about us.  Now that’s not bad, but it isn’t healthy either.  Our faith is not about us, it’s about Him and His plan for His creation.  That’s a lot bigger than me.  If my focus is primarily on me, what I will get is a lot less than what is available – crumbs – really great crumbs – but crumbs nonetheless.  

In Paul’s writing alone he uses the word “also” 258 times in 257 verses.  Hmmmm.. I wonder what his “also’s” are all about.

“In order that,” is found 12 times in the NT.

“Therefore,” is found 268 times in the NT.

“That you may,” is found 53 times in the NT.

“One another,” is found 108 times in the NT.

“Because,” is found 407 times in the NT.

“Also,” is found 584 times in the NT.

Small words and phrases can point to important things.  These things can make a difference in our understanding, appreciation and application in our lives and our world.

Peter admonishes us to:

Apply all diligence:

“Apply”:  παρεισφέρω,  pareisphérō;

Para: alongside, beside

Eisphero:

Eis: into

Phero:  to bring

To bring forth something additional, to contribute in addition to. yield more, add to.

“all”  in the Greek – means, well, ALL

“Diligence”:  σπουδή,  spoudḗ; σπουδάζω, spoudázō [to make haste, be zealous],

·         spoudḗ, from the original sense of 'haste,' takes on such meanings as 'work,' 'effort,' 'zeal,' 'seriousness,' 'readiness,' 'dedication.'

·         In the NT spoudḗ first means 'haste' (cf. Mk.  6:25 ; Lk.  1:39 ). It then means 'zeal' or 'commitment' in Rom.  8:12 ; 12:11 . It takes on the sense of 'zealous concern' in 2  Cor. 7:11  KTD

·         In Heb.  6:11 the readers must show ongoing earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope. This is part of being a Christian, for believers know who they are and where they are going, and will not lose what they have been given. 

·         The use is similar, but with a bigger moral stress, in 2  Pet.  1:5 . The zeal here relates to the whole Christian ethos unfolded in vv. 6-10. It relates to the basic orientation of those whose mind is set on the good.  KTD

That we are admonished to bring our best game to our walk should in no way be a surprise.  What difference is there between being told to work hard at living as His and being told to take up a cross or lay down our lives?  God does not just load a new program or an update when He makes us His.  He calls us and enables us to live as His, and part of that are the skills, knowledge, talents and energy WE bring to the effort – and effort it is.

Perhaps the hardest part for us to sink our teeth into is that this is a choice – not a once and for all choice, but a moment by moment one.  He chose, called and claimed us one forever.  We, however, must choose to battle the flesh and to grow in righteousness over and over again.  Come on, let’s be honest.  We all know that a moment’s inattention to serving and honoring Him can be catastrophic.  We all know the slipperiness of that walk which lacks diligence and intention.

The diligence we are admonished to apply is not a feeling or affection.  Our feeling/affection for Christ is the energy, the cause of our diligence, but it is NOT automatic – sorry.