TGP Additives
2 Pet. 1:6
I
have previously written of Peter's admonition to add virtue and knowledge to
our faith. In verse 6 we are told to add
temperance to that knowledge. Many
people think of temperance as meaning only abstaining from alcoholic
beverages. The word really means more
than that. It means self control. Many there are who never touch the alcoholic beverage
but are intemperate because they cannot control themselves. We are to control what we love, Col. 3:2, 3 "Set your affection on things
above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid
with Christ in God." Do not say you can't help what
you love. Rather set your affections or
love on things above. Furthermore
control your will or decisions even your thoughts. See 2 Cor. 10:5 "Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge
of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ;" Temperance is a proper
action.
Then we are told to add
patience to our temperance. Patience is
a proper attitude. It is the product of
suffering. You may pray for it all your
life and never attain to it. It is when
you are called on to suffer for Jesus sake that you develop patience. See. Rom. 5:3 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience;"
It is enduring or remaining under your load without getting bitter. "So that we ourselves glory in you in
the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and
tribulations that ye endure:" 2 Thess. 1:4. It is associated with hope. See Lamentations 3:18-26.
Now
He tells us to add godliness to our patience.
Here is a proper aspiration. It
is the purpose of our praying 1 Tim.2:1, 2. "I exhort therefore,
that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for
all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty." God has
equipped us for godliness. Verse 3 of 2
Pet. 1 tells us that God has given to us all things that pertain unto life and
godliness. Godliness is a Holy ought to
which we should aspire 2 Pet. 3:11, "Seeing
then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye
to be in all holy conversation and godliness,"
Happy are we if we
add these to our faith.
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