This Little Light of Mine...

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” —Philippians 2:1-15,

2 Peter 1:4-10

"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. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 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. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" 2 Peter 1:4-10

"...And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue..."  How intense is that command???  If we believe that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, then what does all diligence mean?  I know that I have not put nearly enough effort out for these spiritual 'fruits.'  May the Lord help us all to be more faithful in our calling!

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Faith:

assurance, belief

1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a

   conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and

   divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and

   holy fervour born of faith and joined with it

   1a) relating to God

       1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and

            ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal

            salvation through Christ

   1b) relating to Christ

       1b1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is

            the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in

            the kingdom of God

   1c) the religious beliefs of Christians

   1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence)

       whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same

2) fidelity, faithfulness

   2a) the character of one who can be relied on

Virtue:

1) a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action

   1a) virtue, moral goodness

2) any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity

Knowledge:

1) knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding

   1a) the general knowledge of Christian religion

   1b) the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of this religion, such as

       belongs to the more advanced

   1c) esp. of things lawful and unlawful for Christians

   1d) moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living

Temperance:

1) self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and

   passions, esp. his sensual appetites)

Patience:

enduring, patient continuance, patient waiting

1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance

   1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from

       his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by

       even the greatest trials and sufferings

   1b) patiently, and steadfastly

2) a patient, steadfast waiting for

3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

Godliness:

holiness

1) reverence, respect

2) piety towards God, godliness

Brotherly Kindness:

brotherly love, love of the brethren

1) love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love

2) in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren

Charity:

agape love

1) brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

2) love feasts

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Then comes the promise; and the warning....

"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. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:"