Examine yourselves!!

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. (2Co 13:5-6)

Examine:  peirázō = to ascertain the character of some hing, someone 

In the faith:  a true believer

Test:  dokimásō = to prove a thing worthy

Fail the test:  adókimos = prove to be spurious; unapproved

As I pray and study the Word and read the works of our Puritan fore-fathers I grow more and more convinced that somewhere along the way we have so cheapened and minimized the "Way" (Acts 19:9) that the designation "christian" is for all intents and purposes, meaningless.  

The term "christian" was originally used as a pejorative term intended to vilify followers of the Christ.  Today it most aptly commonly describes those whom can only be called false believers or hypocrites.  When someone asks you if you are a "christian" ask them what they mean by "christian."  My experience has been that what they describe bears little resemblance to the "Way" as it is taught by the Word of God.

What passes for common christianity today is but a sorrowful caricature of the true faith.  

Through what I see as the cultural compromise of the faith we have fallen into the condition of Israel at the end of the book of Judges.

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.  (Jdg 21:25)

Though it is still proclaimed as true, in almost every practical sense Christ is not held as King and everyone does what it right in their own eyes.  We have moved further into a faith that has no crosses in it.  We have moved deeper into a cheapening of grace and a rejection of God's sovereignty.

What passes for the "Way" is not the "Way" we find in the Word.  Indeed in our making Jesus our own, we have made a Jesus of our own.  In even supposing and implying that we "make Him Lord and/or Savior" we have, at the very first, denied God's sovereignty in the redemption.

To "accept" Jesus as Lord and/or Savior has come to mean that we "allow" Him to save us.  We do Him a kindness by accepting His death so He'll feel good about Himself.  It no longer means that we fall to His feet in utter recognition of our sin and our need for His salvation and His absolute right to condemn us.  No, we do Him a good turn by joining His team - by telling Him He, "did really good," so we'll let Him save us.

Let me put it plain and main - If you do not recognize the utter hopelessness of your sinful state before God and your deserving or His righteous condemnation - then regardless of what you "say" about Jesus, you are none of His.  Unless your heart has been broken by your sin and His taking it upon Himself on the cross, you are none of His.  Unless you have acknowledged that He has every sovereign right over all of your life - that he is indeed King of Kings and Lord of Lords - and you kneel before Him in surrender of your self to His authority, you are none of His.  Unless, by His gracious providence, the Holy Spirit has convicted you of the worthlessness of your every effort in redemption and sanctification apart from the provision of God and His power - you are none of His.

Unless, in relation to Him, you hate everything and everyone, you are none of a His.  Unless you live in Him, by Him, under Him and for Him - you are none of His.

Do you pray much, study the word much, examine yourself much, give much?  Then you may well be none of His.  Are you raising your children in the Lord?  if not you may be none of His.

Is your walk with God the absolute priority in your life?  If not you may be none of His.

I will say this - and I do so because have been convicted and I am convinced by the Word of God, that unless you are humbly, depending upon His promises and power, seeking to obey Him in all the duties and obligations appropriate to a citizen of His Kingdom you may well be none of His.

If you are not healthily obsessed with His glory and honor, you may well be none of His.

His Word and His Spirit must be working in His to enable them to serve Him with all their minds, hearts and strength - and we must know that our minds, heart and strength, apart from His providence and power, are never enough.  

Where is the zeal for Him and His Kingdom?  Where is the single focused commitment to be conformed to His likeness?  Where is the crushing conviction of our sinfulness and His graciousness?  

Where is that cry, "Not I but Christ!"

I do not have any pleasure is writing this for it is indeed as much about me as it is anyone else.  But it is about all of us who would claim He is our Lord - utterly.  It is not about your goodness but His.  It is not about our righteousness but His.  It is not about us but Him.

Are you a tare of a stalk of wheat?  Are you a sheep or a goat?  Are you His or are you still your own?

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 

(2Co 13:5-6)

Puritan Prayers - recommended

Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in Thee, the ground of my rest, the spring of my being. Give me a deeper knowledge of Thyself as saviour, master, lord, and king. Give me deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in Thy Word, more steadfast grip on its truth. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action, and let me not seek moral virtue apart from Thee.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 37-39).  . Kindle Edition.

How blessed we are to have recorded for our benefit the honest searching prayers of those who have walked with Him before us!  How clear and deep are these pools of grace.  How sweet the waters held within.  How simple and yet mighty are these petitions.

If we but borrow these might not our prayers be altered, made higher from a lower place?  Might we not find in them that for which our hearts yearn to express?  Might we not more readily seek the Holy Spirit of God with a greater hunder and yearning?  Might we not be blessed beyond measure?

I believe these prayers are ours not by divine inspiration but by His providential preservation.  From Him to them and down to us they come to raise us up and join us to the saints now in His presence.  In them we are joined with the hearts of our forefathers in the faith and in them we find the depth of our need expressed.

They need to be prayed not merely read.  They might be prayed slowly, reflectively seeking how they might call from our hidden or murky needs. 

Who knows from what specific circumstance they were prayered?  And yet, who cares?  I do not need to know the writers need but rather to find his expressed need my own.

What assurance we find here:  that we are not alone in our struggles; we are not alone in our need.  That we are not alone and never have been in seeking to be more faithful servants, submitted to the King.  Indeed there is nothing new under the sun, not even our weakenesses and fears as His servants. 

We are told to be bold and of good courage and yet we shrink and cower.  It is in prayers like these that we see the remedy for this.  We see that we need only seek Him, to pound upon the door insistently while we await His providence.   He will find us, He will answer the pounding for so He has promised.

Borrowed prayers are not some spiritual form of plagiarism.  Not when we ask Him to make them our own.  Not when we ask Him to use them to dig deeply into our hearts and minds and where we find a lack of one thing asked for we cry out louder for its provision.

Often I do not know the “what” or “how “of my prayers.  I am confounded by the cacophony of the flesh.  Yet in borrowing these prayers I find the cacophony stilled and silent and I hear my need expressed. 

I recommend this little book to you all.  To keep by your bedside or bettr yet to keep with you at all times.  Some of the prayers will instantly lift your spirit and heal your wounds, while others at first may not touch your heart, they will as He makes you ready. 

Puritan Prayers

Peter's Pen 1

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."    (1Pe 1:13-16)

I hope to be beginning a series titled “Peter’s pen.”  My intent is to produce a kind of “walking devotional,” drawing from Peter’s pen things that bless me and I hope bless you.  To be honest, I am also doing this because it keeps me focused on Him and off all the hooplala of the election campaigns and cultural conflicts.  I find that I can am too easily distracted and diverted in my thoughts and prayers by things which are interesting and exciting and important – but not the point.

Peter writes:

“preparing your minds for action”

Interestingly, “for action” isn’t in the Greek.  It is implied however by the imperative to “prepare.”

“Prepare” means to “gird up.”  Girding up back them meant that you drew up the bottom of your robe or cloak and tucked it into your belt  so you were ready for – well – action.  We might say today, “roll up your sleeves.”  The very act of girding up implies there will be active work to do.

What we are to “gird up” or “prepare” is our minds.  Mind = the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring. 

It doesn’t look like we’ll be digging ditches or climbing trees. 

It is our faculty of understanding, feeling and desire that is going to get the workout.  Now isn’t that something?

The Puritans taught that the mind (understanding) should inform the affections (feeling and desires).  They also taught that the mind was most secured and well-fed by the Word of God.  They taught that one could never get enough of the Word in one’s mind.  The more Word the more sturdy the wall, the more discerning the understanding and therefore the godlier the feelings and desires.

I can’t help but think of that last Passover, the events in the garden and Peter’s denials.  We tend to look back and see a wonderful fulfillment of God’s promises.  Yet for those present it was, in those moments, a horrible horrible night.  The trauma and terror had to have been beyond what we can conceive.

We’ve all had those times when we stand or sit absolutely gob-smacked by events.  We are more than stunned.  Our minds race and reel.  Our feelings are “all over the place.”  We are beyond confused, beyond understanding.  We are even beyond believing what’s happening.

Ever dreamed you were falling?  For me that seems an appropriate picture.  Sure we wake up but we wake up with a jerk and a sense of terror.  Nothing seems real yet everything seem too real.

Remember, the apostles had their own idea of what was to come.  They were confident and secure as we see in both their singing and sleeping.  “Blind-sided,” is a gross understatement.  Everything changed on that night and everything they hoped for seemed to just disappear.  It had to have been a sense of utter failure even betrayal.  It wasn’t, of course, but try to imagine how they felt in their limited understanding and incorrect expectations.

We however know the whole story.  We can see it clearly.  We know it was part of His plan for redeeming us.  Yet for them, then, it was devastating.

Here may be one of Peter’s reasons for admonishing us to prepare our minds.  We must know the whole truth of God’s Word and plan.  We must understand His way and the world’s way and the conflict between the two. 

I am put in mind of His statement:

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  (Joh 15:19)

Our minds must be girded, prepared to live in and with that truth.  How many times are we blindsided in our relationships and activities in the world?  Why are we shocked and numbed by the criticism, condemnation and persecution we encounter?  Why do we expect the world to play nice with us?

Jesus said:

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (Mat 10:16)

We need to wrap our minds around that.  It is His truth and our reality.  I think we need to accept His words and keep them in the forefront of our minds.  We need to appreciate this statement and its warning and fill our minds with the hope of His promises. 

Perhaps I’ve said it too much but my Lord did not die so I could be successful or popular or powerful in the world.  Rather He died to overcome the world for me and to prepare a place for me with Him.  The hope of “heaven here” sadly obscures the real hope we have of “heaven when.”

To my fellow sheepdogs -----

Helpless?  Yeah – to do the wrong job – of course we’re helpless.

“Ministry is messy!”

I learned this long ago.  I also came to believe that if one’s ministry is not messy, it’s not ministry.  Sin alone is the proof.  But add to that the moment by moment battle we have with the flesh and, well, you have mess.

It’s a mess just to battle one’s own flesh but when one accepts the call to be the shepherd of others one takes on their mess as well.

Add to this the unreasonable and unbiblical expectation that as a shepherd one should have all the answers –especially the answers people prefer and it gets even messier.

We, those called to the care of souls, must accept that we are little more than under-shepherds.  Indeed, I prefer the title “sheepdogs.”  We know what to do in some situations but we are, in the final analysis, simply servants of the Great Shepherd whose commands we await and obey.

The struggle we all have in not being able to be the Great Shepherd is uniquely human.  A sheepdog does not tend the sheep.  He or she simply follows the directives of the Shepherd.  Only in a very few circumstances is the sheepdog able to function without the presence and direction of the Shepherd.

We have to live with the fact that we “CAN’T” provide a lot of what is needed.  Unfortunately many who are indeed called end up moving from living sacrificially to living suicidally  as they go beyond the Shepherds provision or more subtly accept the demands of the sheep as always legitimate.

We look at the misery around us and we ache to relieve it.  Hunger, poverty, cruelty – all these and more we seek to relieve.  Of course there are the more common “miseries” of health issues, relationship issues, debt, etc. that are brought to us for resolution.

I have a new favorite word.  It’s UN-autonomous.  I am UN-autonomous.  I am nothing and can do nothing apart from Him.  Even in those wonderful moments when I do have an answer or a solution I know it is only because of Him that it will be of any benefit.

But another issue is bad aim.  Yes we desire to solve or resolve the issues His sheep bring to us but somehow we forget the fundamental facts.

He did not die, was not resurrected, did not ascend, did not offer sacrifice, “once for all,” and does not interceded continually so His people could have a happy satisfied life here on earth.  He did/does all of this so that we might be redeemed from sin and forgiven.  He did/does all this so we can be His and ultimately be with Him.  The writer of Hebrew seeks to give the aim or perspective of faith.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Heb 11:10-16)  ESV

The question we must all (sheepdogs) ask either directly or indirectly is, “What are they (the sheep) looking for?”

Are they looking for the promise fulfilled or are they looking for heaven here and now?

I always go back to:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."   (Joh 16:33)  ESV

This is what characterizes our lives here.

Θλίψις;  thlípsis; gen. thlípseōs, fem. noun from thlíbō , to crush, press, compress, squeeze, which is from thláō (n.f.), to break. Tribulation, trouble, affliction.  Zodhiates

Though our tribulation is utterly attached to persecution which we suffer for proclaiming and living the faith it is also a result of living in a fallen world and redeemed creatures that are being transformed.

Below Paul gives us the true utility of the sheepdog.  It is in this “tribulation” that we are to ministry.  Yeas, we feed, clothe and house, etc. as we are able (Note-also as the Body of Christ individually and collectively is willing to sacrifice to provide for those in any trouble.)  But here is the bottom line – actually the front line of the battle. 

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

(Rom 7:15-25)  ESV

You, called and commissioned as a sheepdog, must focus on what your God given purpose is:

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Eph 4:11-14)  ESV

This is the “buck,” and the buck ends with you and I.

It is through this, “work of ministry,” that the physical needs of the flock are met and this is to be the work for which we equip the flock.  I don’t provide (apart from how He prospers me) – the “saints” are to provide – what they can, when they can – with His sacrifice as the example and motivation.

Look here:

      So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

      And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

      And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

      And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

      And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

      And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.  (Act 2:41-47)  ESV

This is the Body of Christ.  This IS the Church.  What happened to her – where did she go?

When did all this become the job of one person? 

No, the sheepdog (whether they are called: apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers) are to equip the saints to follow the example we see in Acts.  He takes care of His own – we take care of His own – first.

Bottom line:

The problem is, well, sin.  We sheepdogs have failed miserable in helping the saints understand, appreciate and engage in the only spiritual war they have a part in.  The battle against the flesh.  Satan – we simply resist – we stand in the armor.  The world we simply say no to – we do not conform. But the flesh – that’s our foe – here we are to engage and do battle.  But we have to keep in mind that the allies of the flesh are the world and the devil and they will work with and through the flesh to make us miserable – unfaithful, hopeless and unfruitful.  They don’t have to win us over – actually they can’t – all they want is for us to be so focused on ourselves that we forget that we are part of His Body and that within that Body is the help (note I say help and not fixes) for our needs.

But is we are looking for “heaven” here; if we are looking for a “good life,” a “comfortable life,” here – maybe we need to really consider whether we are His or not.

Too many who claim (and may be) to be His are really looking to return to Egypt and have everything be good – not gonna happen – at least not by His hand.  We live in a world working hard to create a Hell on earth.  Huh??  Well, what else do you call a place where God is rejected and denied?  As men move forward in building their Hell we have to accept that as long as we’re here it’s gonna be hot and we’re gonna have the stink of sulfur.  AND it’s gonna just get worse.

For you, my fellow sheepdogs, who feel the burdens of each and every sheep – bless you.  For you, my fellow sheepdogs, who feel you, have to relieve the burdens of each and every sheep – repent. 

Remember, your job = “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”  That’s it – that’s all – wow.

Now – you have to look at what “works of ministry” God has presented the flock and you have to determine what “equipping” them look like.  And for god’s sake don’t go buy a book about it!  You have the only book you need – and an inexhaustible source of power.

I hope this helps -- We are all in my prayers – bark at the sheep/bite the wolves!!!!

Last Words - almost Part 7

Last words – almost  Part 7

Now for this very reason also . . . . 2 Peter 1:5

What reason?  THIS REASON !!!

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

(2Pe 1:2-4) NASB

1 Peter 1:2-4		1 Peter 1:5-10
multiplied		increasing,
has granted to us everything		For if these qualities are yours
the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;		true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
the true knowledge of Him		true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
called us by His own glory and excellence.		to make certain about His calling and choosing you;
become partakers of the divine nature,		neither useless nor unfruitful
having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust		for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

There is an interesting parallel between the two passages.  They both focus on assurance.  Verses 2-4 focus on it from God’s perspective, verses 5-10 from the perspective of how we participate in God’s grace.  God guarantees our redemption and provides for us to experience in an ever growing way.  We are not only able to rest on His faithfulness to His promise but we are able to see it worked out through the practice of the qualities Peter (via the Holy Spirit) enumerates.

We are able to be PARTAKERS not only in His promise but in the very practical working out of that promise in our own lives.

There’s a quote I use in my consulting work that I think applies.

“In organizations, real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and positions.”   ― Margaret Wheatley

It is in our relationship with Him, our “partaking” in not just His grace but in His work, that makes plain the power and energy available to the Believer.  It is the development of our relationship with Him – and only that – which makes anything we do fruitful.  That needs to be our focus and here in 2 Peter we are provided with a way of building that relationship.

Before we get into the qualities, I’d like to share the following.  I have no idea who wrote it so if you do, let me know.  It’s cute and skillful and a great way to get started in living out His grace more and more and more ----

Plant three rows of squash:

• Squash gossip.

• Squash criticism.

• Squash indifference.

Plant seven rows of peas:

• Prayer

• Promptness

• Perseverance

• Politeness

• Preparedness

• Purity

• Patience

Plant seven heads of lettuce:

• Let us be unselfish and loyal.

• Let us be faithful to duty.

• Let us search the Scriptures.

• Let us not be weary in well-doing.

• Let us be obedient in all things.

• Let us be truthful.

• Let us love one another.

No garden is complete without turnips:

• Turn up for church.

• Turn up for meetings, in prayer, and Bible study.

• Turn up with a smile, even when things are difficult.

• Turn up with determination to do your best in God’s

   service.

“His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him. . . . “

Last Words - almost Part 1

Last words – almost

Part 1

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 make your calling and election sure, 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. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.   (2Pe 1:5-14)  ESV

I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.   v.13&14

The context from which Peter writes is critical.  We have to “flash-bask” to that day on the shore and a conversation Jesus has with Peter.

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (Joh 21:18-22)

There is a great deal going on between Peter and Jesus in this chapter of John.  It’s a pretty tough day for Peter.

Jesus shows Peter that at the end of his life he will not be free.  We think Peter was killed in Rome under Nero.  The “stories” tell us that he requested to be crucified upside down as he did not feel worthy of the same death that his Master suffered.  But we must keep in mind that “stories” are “stories.”  That Peter was martyred is not in debate.

The point I want us to see in this Part 1 of the series is Peter’s motivation for writing the preceding verses.  It’s quite simple really, “since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon.”  I’m not going to be alive for long.

Peter considers it “right,” to remind them of their duty as believers to never grow stagnant, to continue to be conformed to the likeness of Christ.  I won’t get into some long discussion on salvation.  Suffice it to be said that the presupposition I hold and I believe Peter held is well stated by D. Bonheoffer, “Only the believing obey, only the obedient believe”.

Not questioning the faith or willing obedience of his audience Peter wants so “stir,” his audience up.  He wants not only to awaken those who may be dozing but he desires to incite, excite, and stir up all those to whom he writes, which includes you and me.

To say these are Peter’s last words would surely be silly.  But to say that this is his last and lasting admonition would probably be safe.  His end is near – his concern is for the Body and all its parts.  If he has to condense his desire for them, his pray for them, his expectation of them, this is it.

Read the passage.  In it, through Peter, the Holy Spirit provides us with a clear and exacting list of qualities of those things necessary for our growth and effectiveness.  How can we not fall to our knees in both repentance and supplication?  Repenting our laziness and distraction from them and crying out to the Lord for both the conviction, will, energy and opportunity to do what is commanded here.

Peter says,

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.”

And then writes,

“And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.”  (2Pe 1:15)  ESV

I hope and pray you will consider following this series.  I pray that His Spirit will convict and energize you to diligently seek to follow Peter’s admonition which is also an imperative from the Lord.

The next two installments will address why we don’t and why we should.