FARSIGHTED
Peter, in his second epistle, gives us a sure-fire recipe to cure any "near-sightedness" in our Christian experience. It is guaranteed to work.
Here it is:
Start with "your faith". Diligently add:
Virtue (strength of character, principles of manhood)
Knowledge (thoroughly acquainted with God).
Temperance (stability, not given to extremes)
Patience (remaining stedfast in all conditions) Godliness (integrity and sobriety, righteousness)
Brotherly kindness (genuine concern for others)
II Peter 1:5 ---For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Abraham, and others of the Heroes of Faith, were able to see far beyond the time frame of their existance on earth.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Most of our discouragements could be prevented by simple addition of Christian Graces to our lives. Discouragement can also be cured in the same way.
I can't tell you the "mechanics" of it, any more than I can tell you how Aspirin raises our threshold of pain. But I know it works.
The closer we walk to the Lord, the greater our understanding and appreciation of Him becomes. Faith increases or decreases in direct proportion to our relationship to Jesus.
Do we want more faith? Pray more.
Do we want to know more about God? Read His Word more.
Do we want to know His Will for our lives? Do what you already know.
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know---.
Psalms 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psalms 25:14 The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with [my] whole heart.
Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning;--.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
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