An Abundant Entrace Into The Kingdom

The Apostle Peter's last will and testament gives us an insight to Godly living. Abundant Christian living is NOT a formula. It is embracing the nature of the Holy Spirit that already lives inside of us and yielding our lives totally to Christ. If we do these things we will never fall. It's really not about doing - it's about BEING! Being IN HIM!

TEXT: 2 Peter 1:8-11 - 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 lacks 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 Savior Jesus Christ.

This passage in Second Peter was Peter’s last will and testament on victorious Christian living. It provides us with an expose’ on how to remain fruitful throughout our walk with the Lord. It holds tremendous importance in relation to the fruit of the Spirit. It was written toward the end of Peter’s life. It is not some magical formula that Peter devised, but words that were literally written by Peter’s life. Peter was not a novice anymore. He had fought many battles while following Christ and helping the apostles spread the gospel. Victory in Peter’s life did not come overnight. It was a long, hard fought process. One of Peter’s methods to get people to experience God in their life was to remember things in the past.

2 Peter 1:12 - For this reason I will not be negligent to REMIND you always of these things

2 Peter 1:13 - Yes, I think It is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by REMINDING you. (way of remembrance)

2 Peter 1:15 - Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a REMINDER of these things after my decease

2 Peter 3:1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (In both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of REMINDER).

Satan knows that if he can get us to continue looking at the future and never look at the present then we’ll never change. Most Christians are always waiting for the next service to touch God or make a commitment. It’ll never happen. Paul said TODAY is the day of salvation. Peter’s epistles, which deal mainly with the Second Coming, false teachers and victorious Christian living, provide insight on how we can become fruitful NOW and remain fruitful throughout our Christian lives.

Because we don’t know the process of Christianity, we are robbed of God’s power many times. God moving among His people is not something we merit. Sin is not the problem. Sin is the symptom of a bigger problem. Peter is trying to say strongly that victory never comes without a fight. There are no formulas for victory. He said in verse 10 that if you do these things; you shall never fall, or stumble. This statement means that you will always walk in the abundant life that Jesus promised in His word. You’ll never fall back into death. It’s a statement that more don’t understand or comprehend. Some Christians are deceived into thinking they’re walking in abundant life when in reality; they’re walking in death.

Peter said the person who lacks “these things” is blind and has forgotten they were purged from their old sins. Such is a characteristic of a Pharisee.

John 9:39-41 - And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. [40] And some of the Pharisees that were with him heard these words, and said unto him, are we blind also? [41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remains.

Those who lack these things Peter is talking about cannot see afar off. They “can’t figure it out.” A person like this usually has a hard time forgiving others of their failures while the person excuses his own sin. When these things abound in you, you always see your own need of God’s grace. Paul, in the last stages of his life, after he had written nearly two-thirds of the New Covenant, said:

1 Tim 1:15 - This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I AM CHIEF.

Peter recognized that the source of Godly living was Christ, not our religious efforts. We must be plugged into the vine. If we are, then we will never fall because the Holy Spirit within us is constantly producing the fruitfulness of Christ.

Jude 24 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling (falling), And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

The key to being a Christian in nature is getting us out of the way and allowing the power of a Holy God to come forth.

Christianity is more than just receiving a miracle or feeling “goose-bumps” during a great service. God is going to work the miracle. However, sometimes, He will work a miracle far greater than our comprehension of that miracle. The Concept of Christianity is learning the ways of Jesus. Most want to feel it, without the learning. We are seeking the knowledge of CHRIST, not just the knowledge of good and evil. Life comes from God.

Religion is past happenings. Christ is presently working today. (Hebrews 13:8). God does not want us normal, He wants us CHRIST-LIKE!

2 Peter 1:5 - But also for this very reason, giving all DILIGENCE, add to your faith..

This is the only part we actually play in these virtues of Christian living that Peter writes about. Diligence comes from the same word that means endeavoring.

Ephes. 4:3 - Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

2 Cor. 7:11-12 - For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you

2 Tim 1:17 - But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

2 Tim. 2:15 - Study to shrew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (This passage in the regular KJV reads, “study to show.” It means the same thing.)

Romans 12:11 - Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

All of these words basically mean the same thing. It speaks of having a mind to get busy. Put every effort you have into what you have. The business you need to be doing is “hurrying up” arid letting God move in your life through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t mean to do something to merit God’s favor, but let what is inside you (the Holy Spirit) come forth and work.

2 Peter 1:4 - By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promise that through these you may be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Peter is saying that Christ that is in you is life. Hurry up and let Christ be revealed in you! (Gal. 4:19). Religion tells you to “do something.” Christianity tells you to let Christ live. Christ is the divine nature in you. We are partakers of that nature, not imitators. Most Christians have a religious system working within them instead of Christ. It took God 40 years to get Moses out of Egypt and another 40 to get Egypt out of Moses. Sometimes it takes longer than 40 for most of us because of the bondage we put ourselves in through our systematic theologies and teachings. As I heard an old preacher say a long time ago – if it’s dead, “why try to hang on to it?”

The word “add” comes from a Greek word meaning “supply.” This same word is found in the following passages:

Galatians 3:5 - He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

2 Cor. 9:10 - Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Ephes. 4:16 - From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Col. 2:18-19 - Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

2 Peter 1:11 - For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The word “add” does not mean “add to something.” It means that “out of the supply,” comes these virtues. Out of faith, knowledge; out of knowledge, patience, and so on. Religion puts emphasis on adding to something. True Christianity is allowing the SUPPLY of Christ within us to come forth by the power of the Holy Spirit. The supply of all our divine nature is already in us. That does not mean we’re deity as some extreme segments of the hyper faith movement teach. It does mean that the power of God rests within us in “earthen” vessels that we always will know the power is never of us but ALL OF HIM!. To bear fruit for the Kingdom of God, we must allow this power source to come forth.

Faith comes from a Greek word that literally means “Dance ‘leader.” As faith is the “leader” into all other Christian virtues, the Holy Ghost wants to “lead” us in the dance of Christian fruit bearing. Faith is the first part of the entire package. From faith, the other characteristics follow. Faith is the dance leader. (We will deal with faith as a fruit of the Spirit in an upcoming lesson in this study series). Faith “ministers” virtue. The Holy Ghost wants to lead us in the dance.

Virtue comes from a Greek word Arête that means moral excellence, goodness and character. It is also used to refer to manifestations of God’s miracle power. In reality, it is the power source that produces the goodness, not the goodness itself. Without the Holy Spirit shedding the love of God in our hearts, none of us would be good. Virtue here in 2 Peter is the same word used in Mark 5:30 and in Acts 1:8. This is the energy source to live the Christian life.

Mark 5:30 - And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Peter 4:1 - Therefore since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, ARM YOURSELVES also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

Knowledge comes from a Greek Word meaning intelligence and understanding. Out of faith and virtue, flows knowledge. John wrote in his gospel that the Spirit of God would LEAD us into all truth. (John 16:13) Again, the Holy Spirit wants to “lead” the dance. The master teacher is within us. It’s sad to note that we are so lacking understanding. The reason we sit in darkness is that the Holy Ghost is not leading us. Out of virtue, or the power, comes knowledge. When we free up the Holy Ghost, He produces insights that blow our mind! The key is not so much trying to find knowledge; it’s releasing the power of the Holy Ghost. As Peter said, “HURRY UP!”

Ephes. 1:13-21 - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. [15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, [16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; [17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: [18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

The secret to temperance is not “SELF-CONTROL” but SPIRIT control. Again, the Holy Ghost wants to lead the dance. We must identify with the death, burial, arid resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6-8). This is where the Holy Spirit leads - TO JESUS. Paul said He was dead to HIMSELF. He was not longer his own. Christ, through the power of the Holy Ghost was in control. Temperance means “under control.” You must be “UNDER CONTROL” of the Holy Spirit. Your self-life has no power to produce the Christian life.

Again, out of faith comes virtue or power; out of this power comes knowledge. Out of knowledge comes temperance and out of temperance or being under control of the Spirit of God will produce patience. On our own we cannot produce patience. Peter’s revelation was very similar to Paul’s in his writings to the church at Rome and at Galatia. James also wrote something similar about this process.

Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: [2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

2 Peter 1:10 - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

· Peter’s Way: Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, and Brotherly Kindness, Love.

· Paul’s Way: Faith, Grace, Knowing, Patience, Experience, Hope Makes Not Ashamed, Love.

Patience has its perfect work by the trying of one’s faith, which is done through enduring temptations. For one to be able to STAND, or develop patience, the Holy Ghost must be given complete liberty in one’s life. The Holy Ghost must lead the dance! The key to seeing patience in one’s life is always staying under the Spirit’s control when trouble comes. We preach “self-control, self-control.” The truth is that “SELF” is the very problem the SPIRIT is trying to destroy! We need SPIRIT CONTROL when the storm comes. Our “flesh” will always seek to come out from underneath the Spirit’s control. Our eternal destinies may rest on our response to this very teaching Peter laid out in his epistle. If we do these things, we will never fail!

When patience has had its perfect work, godliness is produced in a life. If a person is struggling with sin, they have already lost a far more important battle. The battle in a Christian’s life should be whether the Spirit or self is in control. If there is sin prevalent In a Christian’s life, then self has got the lead. Ungodliness (Galatians 5:19- 21) will always result.

We fight the rood fight of faith, not sin. Sin is not the problem. it’s only a symptom of us refusing to let the Holy Ghost lead us and control our lives!

Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Out of faith comes virtue. out of virtue comes knowledge, out of knowledge comes temperance, out of temperance comes patience, out of patience comes godliness and out of godliness comes brotherly kindness. Peter admonished his readers of this in His first epistle.

1 Peter 3:8 -Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

The closer one gets to perfection, the greater amount of brotherly kindness he or she will have for the brethren. This again is not produced by anything we do. It is a sovereign act of the Holy Ghost who is in control of our lives and “leading” us in the dance of our Christian walk.

The measuring stick by which we measure our spirituality and fruitfulness is and will always be love.

1 Cor. 13:8 - Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

When knowledge ceases, love will still exist. When tongues cease, love will always exist. Love is being able to love the unlovable and always forgiving another person when you have been done wrong. This virtue or quality has got to be birthed into us by the Holy Ghost.

This entire lesson was taken from material from a teaching we heard from James Stone during a camp meeting service in 1989 in Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Stone has an excellent book entitled, Frustrated Grace. I’m not even sure if it’s still in print today but it set me free when I read it! We are under GRACE, not LAW! The Law only taught us we were sinful, GRACE set us free!

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