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The Gospel Observer

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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July 21, 2013
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Contents:

1) Adding to Our Faith: 2 Peter 1:5-10 (Johnny Stringer)
2) Correction on VY Canis Majoris (Tom Edwards)
3) News & Notes
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-1-

Adding to Our Faith: 2 Peter 1:5-10
by Johnny Stringer

Giving All Diligence

God has graciously made provisions for all our spiritual needs to be met through the knowledge of Christ (2 Pet.  1:2-4).  If we are to be saved, however, our own efforts must accompany the divine provisions.  Thus, Peter says, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith" (v. 5).  

The phrase, "giving all diligence," should impress us with the urgency of fulfilling our responsibilities.  The term diligence denotes earnest, zealous effort.  Peter's use of this word precludes a casual, nonchalant approach to serving God. Paul instructed us to work out our salvation "with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12); that is, keenly aware of the terrible consequences of unfaithfulness.  This attitude will motivate us to diligent effort.  

This diligent effort is a product of faith.  God requires "faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6), and if our faith does not lead to obedience it is dead (Jas. 2:14-26).  One's diligence in obeying God will be proportionate to the strength of his faith.  Faith will lead to diligence in supplying the attributes Peter urges us to develop.  

The term translated "virtue" is arete, meaning "moral excellence."  It was used to refer to the inner strength of character that does what is right regardless of the consequences.  Virtue does not ask, "Is it popular?" or "What will it cost me?" or "Will it bring suffering to me?" or "Is it pleasant?"  Virtue asks only one question: "Is it right?"

A key element of virtue is courage.  Those who compromise their convictions because they fear the consequences will have their part in the lake burning with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8).  The divine revelation is filled with examples of those with the courage to do what was right even though it cost them dearly, and some in our age demonstrate exemplary courage.  Godly young people, for example, at the risk of losing their popularity and enduring ridicule, have refused to engage in lustful dancing or to indulge in alcohol or other drugs.  We must make a diligent effort to do the right thing regardless of the consequences.  

Knowledge

Knowledge of God's word is essential because obedience to God is essential (Matt. 7:21).  We cannot do God's will unless we know what his will is.  Though some affirm that we cannot know God's will, Paul commands us to know it (Eph. 5:17).  To do so requires diligence.  God did not design his word so that a casual skimming of the Bible would render a sufficient understanding.

If we do not love the truth enough to study God's word diligently, we will be deceived and, consequently, lost (2 Thess. 2:10-12).  Through growing in knowledge we can avoid being deceived by those who pervert Scripture (2 Pet. 3:16-18).  

Moreover, knowledge is required in order to teach God's word to others.  We must study (give diligence) to learn to handle the word of God properly (2 Tim. 2:15).  The Hebrew Christians were rebuked for their failure to grow sufficiently to teach others (Heb. 5:12).  

Concerning the Israelites, God said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6).  Through diligent effort, we can avoid that condition.  

Temperance (Self-Control)

It is of little value to know what is right and what is wrong if we do not have the self-control necessary to do those things that are right and refrain from doing those things that are wrong.  Paul recognized the necessity of keeping his body under subjection (1 Cor. 9:27).

Self-control requires diligent effort.  One must be determined, resolute, fully devoted to obedience.  In order to control our actions, we must first make a concentrated effort to control our thinking (Prov. 4:23; Phil. 4:8).  For example, we must not allow our minds to dwell on the sexual attractiveness of one to whom we have no right (Matt. 5:27-28).  We must control our thinking, channeling our thoughts in other directions.  Nor must we allow our minds to dwell on the desirability of material possessions; instead, we should contemplate the desirability of heaven and thus avoid covetousness (Col. 3:1-2).  

Self-control is a challenge especially when we become angry, but with determination and desire, we can achieve it. Despite the difficulty of controlling the tongue (Jas. 3:2), we can and must control that member (Jas. 1:26).  With diligent effort, self-control is attainable.  

Patience (Perseverance, Steadfastness)

It is easy to begin great projects; it is not easy to persevere through all the problems, setbacks, sacrifices, and difficulties necessary to complete those projects.  So it is in serving God.  The hearts of many are represented by the stony ground into which the seed fell and quickly germinated, but soon withered in the heat of the sun (Matt. 13:5-6, 20-21).  They do not persevere.  

We must give diligence to develop that strength of character that does not quit.  We must patiently keep on serving the Lord regardless of problems and discouragements.  We must not grow weary and faint but must keep on running the race with patience (Heb. 12:1-3; Gal. 6:9).  

Let us be resolute in our determination not to quit.  We have the strongest possible motivation to persevere: the hope of eternal bliss with God in Heaven. That hope should prevent us from quitting (Rom. 8:25), serving as an anchor to prevent any force from moving us away from God (Heb. 6:19).

Godliness

Godliness is the awe and reverence that is due God.  Barclay says that it is "the attitude which gives God the place he ought to occupy in life and in thought and in devotion" (New Testament Words 107).  We should ever be diligent to show God the reverence that is due him.  We should contemplate his awesome power, his infinite wisdom, his marvelous holiness, his unequaled love, and his role as the Judge who will determine our eternal destiny.  In view of those qualities, we should devote our lives to honoring and obeying him.  

If we have the proper attitude toward God, we will worship him in accordance with his revealed will, humbly submit to his teachings in every aspect of our lives, and refrain from speaking his name except with an attitude of reverence.  We will never use his holy name in a light, frivolous way as though he were just some ordinary guy.  We will be terrified at the thought of displeasing him and incurring his wrath (Heb. 10:30-31; 12:28-29).  

Brotherly Kindness

Brotherly kindness is a translation of the Greek word philadelphia, which means "love of brethren."  Though we are to love all men, we should have a special love for our brethren in God's family.  We love them especially because they are God's children (1 John 4:21-5:1).  Thus, we do good to all men, but especially to those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10).  

Love for brethren involves genuine concern for their well-being (1 Cor. 12:26) and a willingness to help them when they are in need (1 John 3:16-18). It involves seeking to restore them when they sin (Gal. 6:1-2), even to the point of withdrawing from them in an effort to bring them to repentance (2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15).  Love also demands that we forgive them when they sin against us and repent of it (Luke 17:3-4; Eph. 4:31-32).  We should be diligent to "increase more and more" in brotherly love (1 Thess. 4:9-10), earnestly seeking to show love in every possible way.  

Charity (Love)

In 1611, when the KJV was made, the word "charity" meant "love."  Hence, in this verse, the King James translators used the term "charity" to translate the Greek word agape.  This Greek word for "love" refers not to an emotional feeling, but to a determination to seek the highest good of the one who is loved.  It is the product of the will, not the emotions.  We are to be diligent to seek the well-being of others, thus practicing that which men call the "Golden Rule" (Matt. 7:12), emulating the example of the "Good Samaritan" (Luke 10:25ff.).  This involves seeking not only their physical well-being, but their spiritual well-being also.  

We are to love (that is, seek the well-being of) our enemies (Matt. 5:44-48).  Paul quoted a proverb that explains the concept of loving an enemy, instructing us to feed him when he is hungry and give him a drink when he is thirsty (Rom. 12:19-21).  We must be diligent to rid our hearts of bitterness and ill-will, and desire our enemy's well-being.  By so doing we may turn an enemy into a friend.  

A Process of Growth

When one first becomes a Christian, he is not expected to possess these attributes to the degree that he should as he matures spiritually.  He is a babe in Christ.  Our Lord expects us to give diligence to develop these qualities.  We should desire the milk of the word that we may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:2).  It will build us up (Acts 20:32) and as we allow it to dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16) our character will develop.  We should spend time in prayer and we should be diligent to assemble with other saints to receive the spiritual benefit that is derived from engaging in spiritual activities with them (Heb. 10:23-25).  

The more we grow in these attributes, the less we will sin.  When we do sin, we must acknowledge it (1 John 1:9), repent and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22), and then continue giving diligence to grow in these qualities.  Through so doing, our calling and election will be sure and we will be granted entrance into the kingdom in its final, eternal state (2 Pet. 1:10-11).

-- Via Truth Magazine, May 1, 2003, Vol. XLVII, No. 9
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-2-

Correction of VY Canis Majoris


After having read various sources that mention VY Canis Majoris as being the largest star known to man, having a radius of about 1,800 to 2,100 times greater than the sun's, more recent sources put that at about 1,420 times greater -- and thus make NML Cygni as now holding that position for largest, with its solar radii at about 1,650.  So I edited that part of the article ("God's Demonstrations") in last week's electronic bulletin with this new information and did some recalculating.  But I also have refrained from calling this star the largest, in case another has already been found that is greater.

Here is the newly changed paragraph:

When we look up into the heavens on a clear night to gaze upon the distant stars, it is an awesome sight.  To the believer, his heart gives thanks to God for this manifestation of some of His greatness.  And I say "some" because the power that God has revealed to the world probably doesn't even come close to all the power He possesses and all the things He can do; but even what He has demonstrated has been wondrous and even mind-boggling.  For just think of the grand scale of our universe, which was certainly no "little project" from our perspective.  The sun, for example, has a diameter of about 864,327 miles -- and it is one of the smaller stars.  Yet, if it were hollow, about 1.3 million earths could fit into it (if they were ground up to eliminate gaps).  And when it comes to much larger stars, NML Cygni is not just twice the size of the sun, nor 100 times, nor even 500 times; but an estimated 1,650 times greater in diameter -- thus making this star about 1.4 billion miles wide and having a volume of 1.5E+27 cubic miles.  If NML Cygni were hollow, it would be able to contain about 4.49 billion suns or 5.82 quadrillion earths!  Imagine making even a scale model that would display this colossal star along with the earth.  For whatever size you would use to represent the earth, the sphere representing NML Cygni would require a diameter 179,924 times larger to make the scale-ratio accurate.  So if the earth would be represented with a sphere 1 inch in diameter, the star's representation would have to be about 2.84 miles wide!   You, therefore, probably wouldn't want to attempt making a model of this for a school project, if you were concerned with scale accuracy. 

-- Tom
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News & Notes

I am soliciting the prayers of the saints for the following people:

Terry MacDonald recently had 15 precancerous skin lesions removed.  There were also two, in addition, that were malignant.  

Virginia Fontenot has been experiencing pain and some delirium, due to the infection and two surgeries she recently underwent.  Before she can return home from the hospital, she will probably have to be admitted to a rehab facility.  Her daughter describes what her mother has been going through as "peaks and valleys."

Peggy Lefort has not been feeling well over the last couple weeks, due to headaches and stomachaches, which she has been seeing a doctor for and treating with medication.

Shirley Young had recent surgery on her foot and will be having to wear a cast for the next few weeks and be careful in walking about. 

Mozelle Robertson, who is now 92, has been having some trouble with short-term memory.
 
Cheryl Crews continues to be housebound due to her ailments.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Park Forest

CHURCH OF CHRIST
9923 Sunny Cline Dr., Baton Rouge, LA  70817
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 6 PM (worship)
Tuesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html (audio sermons)