The Arithmetic Of The Christian Life

First Peter was written to comfort and support believers amidst misery and mistreatment, which was an outer attack. This epistle was composed to caution against an inside assault, lack of concern and sin. Here Peter gives the antitoxin for dormancy and foolishness in the Christian life. These two epistles set up caution signs on the road the church body is migrating on to distinguish the apostacy that was in transit around then and which is common now at present.

In verses 2-4:

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.”

Notice this passage involves multiplication. How does grace and peace get multiplied to us? It is through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. Now some may think that to know Christ they can simply open up the encyclopedia and read about Him. For those that do not know what an encyclopedia is, that was a book used many years ago before the advent of Google search. You can find them in every public or educational library. Many families had a set in their homes, I know we did when I was growing up.

For grace and peace to be multiplied, we must know Christ. Every professing Christian must know Christ. That does not mean to know about Him, but to know Him on a personal level. Many believers want the benefit of grace and peace but are unwilling to take time and use some exertion to know Him through prayer and Bible study. How can we partake in the privileges that God offers if we do not involve in the knowledge of God?

• 2 Peter 3:18, But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Here we see the “divine power,” the “precious promises,” and the “divine nature.” The power to grow comes from God. We do not have means to live a life of glory and virtue. God has given us precious promises so that we can be partakers of divine nature. That is what keeps us from sin and gives us help as we live for Him.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:14, Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Did we notice the word knowledge is used again in verse three? It is only through the knowledge of Christ that we can learn to live and grow into a godly people. We that have obtained like precious faith through the righteousness of God, have been given precious promises from God.

• John 6:37, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

• Matthew 11:28, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Those are only a couple of precious promises given to us. Throughout the Bible we can find a multitude of other promises given.

• 1 John 2:15-16, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

In verses 5-9:

Now we will see a little more math in the Scriptures; “add to your faith virtue.” Then it goes on to “add” knowledge to the virtue, then “add” temperance to the knowledge, next “add” patience to temperance, then godliness to patience, then brotherly kindness to godliness, and then charity to brotherly kindness. That is a lot of adding. (Galatians 5:22; Romans 12:10)

• Colossians 1:10, That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Faith should be more than believing in facts. Action is required, growing in Christ like character, and being morally disciplined. If we neglect this, we cannot demonstrate a changed life (James 2:14-17). Faith’s actions require hard work (increasing patience, doing the will of God, knowing God better) and they must be done continually. God will empower us and enable us, but it is our responsibility to put forth the effort to learn and grow.

Faith goes beyond believing. It is part of what we should do, and in doing so will bring about results of our spiritual maturity and our good works. Bear in mind, good works does not bring about salvation. Our salvation was a free gift from God, and that salvation should show IN good works. If someone states that he or she is saved, yet the lifestyle remains unchanged, then that person needs to get a checkup, because apparently, he or she does not know God or does not understand what God has done.