The entire concept of growing into a mature Christian implies one must first be a new born babe in Christ. One must first be a Christian, which starts with faith. In II Peter, we see the Holy Spirit starts with this assumption. He assumes that in order for a Christian to exist, they must have faith. Peter through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives what some refer to as the Christian Graces, but what I believe is a Biblical pattern for a Christian to grow. Too many times after having insisting on teaching and following a Bible pattern we believe and properly so, that was given by God for a person to become a Christian, we seem to expect Christians to grow without any plan or pattern to follow or help. If the leadership of a congregation does not train the members of the congregation to grow, they won’t and we as the leaders become disappointed in Brother So and So or Sister So and So because we had such hopes for them, but they did not live up to their potential
We would never even dream of allowing a new born physical baby to raise themselves, and if a parent forgets their child for even a few minutes and that child wanders off, we many times assume they have neglected their children. But on the other hand, we as leaders in the local congregation can neglect a spiritual babe in Christ for years and we think of ourselves as good spiritual parents. Brethren, I firmly believe many leaders in a congregation will answer to God for their neglect of the flock.
Here in II Peter, the Holy Ghost inspires Peter to remind all Christians that God through his divine power has given everything pertains to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Jesus. Jesus has called us to glory and virtue and has given unto us exceedingly great and precious promises we who have partaken of the divine nature, those of us who have become Christians can become mature Christians. One of these promises is if we as Christians, those of faith, work hard and add certain things to our faith, then we are guaranteed a home in heaven. I don’t know about you, but I am one of those people who like to read warranties or guarantees. Here we are guaranteed we will never fall, but we are promised in writing we will have a home in heaven, if we but do certain things. WOW! We have a simple guarantee from God, Add to our faith, these things and we have a home with God for eternity.
Genesis 1:1-4 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."
In the beginning of time, God created the heavens and the earth. At that time the Earth had no form and everywhere there was void and darkness upon the face of the deep. When God began his creation, everything during each step of the creation was good.
Genesis 1:26-31 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."
On the sixth day God created man and later from the rib of Adam, God created Eve and everything was good. There was no sin on the earth. In the cool of the evenings, God walked and talked with Adam and Eve and all was good. There was no sin on the Earth, and there was no need for Faith, because every evening Adam and Eve saw God and walked and talked with Him. Faith is trusting without proof, while if you see something, it does not require faith to know it exists.
Genesis 3:1-7 "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."
The serpent was most subtil, craftier than any beast of the field. Here we learn Satan, the Devil uses a serpent to tempt Eve and sin enters into the world. Never again will we see the phrase in the Bible, “and it was good.” Sin has come into the world and corrupted mankind. Sin is that which separates God from his creation, man. No longer did God come in the cool of the evening and walk and talk with Adam and Eve. Sin has entered the world and separated God and man. Thus begins God’s plan to reunite Himself and mankind.
Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"
Because of Adam and Eve, sin entered into the world and sin has caused everyone to be separated from God because all have sinned. So we see no one could walk and talk with God after Adam because of their sin. That is why Enoch and Abraham stood out from the millions and perhaps billions who lived from Adam to Jesus Christ. In this period of times they seemed to be the most righteous, yet we see how often even the great Abraham sinned and fell short of the glory of God. Surely mankind was doomed to an eternity separated from God.
Romans 3:10-12 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
When Jesus Christ came to earth, there was none righteous, there were none who really was trying to serve God in the way God wanted. Everyone was given over to sin. And if there were any who wanted to serve God in the way He desired to be worshiped, the religious leaders of the day quickly made sure they could not. All of mankind was bound for an eternity in the Lake of Fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
GOD HAS A PLAN TO GIVE MANKIND A SECOND CHANCE.
While things looked hopeless for mankind, God has been working on a plan for mankind since before the beginning of time. It had become very plain there was no way mankind could not on their own pull themselves up from the despair of sin and death that surrounded them. It would take a miracle and the greatest love that has ever been shown. It would take God sending the greatest jewel Heaven had to offer, God the Son, to become even lower than the angels, it would take Jesus Christ taking on the form of man in order to walk this Earth and lead the way for mankind, by living a sinless life.
John 10:1-10 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
The reason Jesus came to earth was to reunite God and man, to bring the hope of salvation to mankind. This would be done through the Church and since Jesus is the only door into the sheepfold, the Church, He is the only way of salvation. If anyone tries to be saved through any other way than what is revealed through the word, they will not be accepted. Jesus came in order that we might have spiritual life and have it in abundance. Those who try to find their own way into the Church are thieves and robbers. Their purpose is to steal Jesus authority, to kill other people’s hope of salvation, and to destroy the way of salvation, the Church.
Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to save the lost sinner. But this gospel requires the one who hears it believe what is taught. In order to be considered just, the listener must accept and follow this gospel by faith, trusting in the good news, trusting in God.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
Paul declares the gospel which was delivered, the good news that is the power of God unto salvation. This gospel saves us if we believe it, if we follow it, and keep it in our memory. This gospel is Jesus came to the earth, lived a life without sin and died to pay the price for our sins. After his death, he was taken from the cross and buried. Then on the 3rd day, he was resurrected from the dead and became the sacrifice to pay the price for our sins. To obey from our heart that form of doctrine we must believe not only is Jesus the Lord of his creation, but we must also believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and He died for our sins and He was resurrected on the third day, just as the Bible says.
Romans 6:16-18 "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
In these verses, the Holy Spirit reveals through the Apostle Paul an important fact. Simply stated it is not only must we talk the talk, but we must also walk the walk. Whoever I choose to obey, that is who I have chosen to put my faith in and become their servant. If I obey from the heart that form of doctrine, then I am freed of my past sins and I am considered by God as a servant of righteousness. Then I am a child of God. But how can we obey from the heart a form of the historical fact that Christ died, was buried, and arose the third day?
Romans 6:3-6 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
The way we obey the form of doctrine, that Christ died for our sins, He was buried and He arose the third day is to be baptized or immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost for the remission of our sins. In baptism we come in contact spiritually with the death of Christ, we are baptized into His death. In baptism we are buried with Christ and if we have been planted in the likeness of His death, as we come up from the waters of baptism, we are resurrected with Him. But it is important to also note if we have not been baptized in water in the right way for the right reasons, then we have not been planted with Christ in the likeness of His death and of His burial, then we cannot be in the likeness of His resurrection. These verses should remove any doubt or hesitation we might have. We must be baptized before we can have our sins taken away.
1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
In the same way Noah was saved by the Ark, we are saved by baptism. The knowledge the flood was coming caused Noah to build an Ark of gopher wood. Because Noah and his immediate family entered in they were saved from the flood by the Ark they had labored to build. In the same way we are saved by baptism, because baptism puts us into the Church which we are to labor to build by casting forth the seed, which is the Word of God, the Bible. We also want to notice baptism saves us, not because dirt is washed from the body, but because baptism is the answer one gives to God when faith in the gospel comes to fruition. We also want to notice the Bible is saying baptism saves us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
WHAT KIND OF FAITH DO WE NEED TO HAVE?
Hebrews 11:6-9 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:"
The Holy Ghost through the writer of the Hebrew letter, lets us know an important fact about serving and pleasing God. In order for us to be pleasing to God, we must believe God exists AND he rewards those who diligently seek him. We must also believe God cares about us and wants us to be saved. This also means we must believe we have control over our eternal destination. These verses show the doctrines of Calvinism are wrong, the choices we make determine where we will spend eternity. Our faith must be shown by our obedience to the things we learn God wants us to do. Let’s take a look at the examples of Noah and Abraham.
Noah was warned of God the world was going to be destroyed in a flood. But the means of deliverance Noah was given, he had to work to build an Ark of gopher wood. The Bible says Noah labored on the Ark for 120 years. Faith means Noah believed and trusted God, so he labored and built the Ark. Noah and his family was saved from certain death in the flood because he trusted God and did as he was commanded.
Abraham at the age of 80 was told by God he was going to have a son, through whom the entire world would be blessed. So Abraham got up, packed his bags and wandered about, living in a tent for the rest of his life, trusting God. Trusting means works of obedience must be involved.
This trust in God is necessary before we can be baptized. Baptism requires trusting in God, because this is what God told us to do. To have trust or faith in God means we do what pleases God even if we do not understand why.
Acts 8:35-38 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."
Philip reveals an important fact in these verses. One must believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God before they can be baptized. And not only must they believe, but the man doing the baptizing must also know what the one being baptized believes. Thus this faith must lead one to be willing to publicly acknowledge this belief before the Church or at least before the man who will be performing the baptism. This faith must lead one to be baptized in obedience to God.
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
This faith one has MUST lead them to repentance. Repentance is when we trust God enough to turn our life over to him. We must be willing to obey God and do whatever we learn he wants us to do. So after one decides to turn their life over to God, the first step in obedience to God is letting people know what we believe and then being baptized or immersed in water to have their sins taken away. We have a promise from God when we are baptized we will receive a gift. This gift is the Holy Ghost himself who indwells us as Christians.
Hebrews 11:17-19 "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
Our faith needs to grow towards the example laid down for us by Abraham. When God said, “Offer your son Isaac,” even though he did not understand how God would keep his promise, obeyed. God had promised Abraham would have many descendants, so numerous they would be uncountable and these descendants would come through Isaac, who had not yet had any children. This seeming paradox is humanly impossible, but Abraham trusted God and prepared Isaac as a sacrifice never questioning how God would fulfill his promise. Abraham just knew God was a faithful God and had the power to keep his word, no matter how hopeless it seemed.
Ephesians 6:16 "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
The faith we have needs to see us through our trials and tribulations. The faith we have needs to sustain us when others attack us and persecute us.
James 2:14-24 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
James makes it abundantly clear just because we say we believe in something that does not count for faith. No matter what you have heard, faith cannot be separated from works. Our faith must bring forth works in obedience to what God wants us to do or there is no difference between our faith and the devil’s faith. Faith without works is dead being alone. Trusting in God brings forth works.
HOW CAN WE GAIN THIS FAITH?
Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Hearing the word of God causes us to have faith in the first place and hearing the word of God is what is necessary for a Christian to mature. Hearing the Word of God is what causes our faith to grow.
2 Timothy 2:15-16 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."
Studying the Word of God, will increase our faith and if we do the things the Bible tells us to do, this means God will approve of us. We need to avoid opinions and theories when studying the Bible. They are ungodly themselves and will bring forth more ungodliness (opinions and theories).
Hebrews 10:24-26 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
Spending time with our brethren and encouraging each other increases our faith. Spending time with each other helps keep us from being overcome by temptation. The encouragement we get from our brothers and sisters in Christ, helps us to grow stronger, to grow unto love and good works.
1 Corinthians 15:33 "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
The people we hang around with affects our faith. We need to keep this thought in mind always, if we hang around with Christians, we will be encouraged and this should increase our faith, but if we hang around the people of the world, we will eventually grow weaker and be overcome.
John 4:1 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
When we put the things we learn into practice, and we see God keeps his word, this strengthens our faith and helps us in living a better Christian life. Trying the spirits is simply studying the Bible for ourselves and making sure the things we are being led to do are right.
Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
Paul lets us know in these verses when we learn from the preacher something is right, we need to do it. When we learn from our studying something is right, we need to do it. When we learn from seeing someone do something that is right, we need to do it. When we are in the habit of doing the things we learn are right, after we have tested them, this causes our faith to grow and God brings peace into our lives and He is with us.
2 Peter 1:3-11 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 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. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
We see adding these things to our character will cause our faith to grow. This is guaranteed by God because He has promised if we do this, we will never fall. In addition, God promises us we will have a home in heaven if we add these things to our lives.
Chapter Summary
- 1. All Christians start off as spiritual babies in Christ.
2. God expects every Christian to add to their faith and grow into mature Christians.
3. One of the main purposes of the Church is to encourage each Christian to grow.
4. In the same way that a physical baby needs guidance and help to survive, so does a spiritual baby.
5. When God created mankind to walk and talk with him, which they did until Satan tempted them and they fell.
6. Mankind is unable to reunite himself with God, therefore since God loves us, it was up to God to provide the means
7. From the Foundation of the world, God had a plan to reunite mankind with himself.
8. God reveals his mysteries to us through his word, the Bible, the scriptures.
9. Through the Bible, God has provided all things that pertain to life and godliness.
10. The Gospel, the Word of God, the scriptures, and the Bible are different terms for the same thing.
11. The Gospel is the power of God to bring salvation into the world.
12. The gospel plan of salvation has not changed in the mind of God since he envisioned it before the world began.
13. In order to be saved, one must Believe, Repent, make the good Confession and be Baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost for the remission of their sins.
14. God expects Christians to add to their Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness and Love
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