Each year as we turn the calendar to
start a new year, many of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ wonder
if this might be the year when He Himself comes from heaven, meets us in the
air and takes us home to the Father’s house.
I wish I knew and could state that this will be the year. But I (and
you) do not have the security clearance to possess that information.
But, nevertheless, knowing that it is
a real possibility, the wise believer will be making preparations for that
eternally significant day. Not to prepare would reveal an amazing level of
short-sightedness on our part. If 2020
be the year for the “fullness of time” for Jesus’ rapturing of His bride and
our immediate appearance before the Savior at His judgment seat, then how
should be live in the days and months of 2020.
Some people faithfully set goals as a
new year approaches. Often those have to do with things that can be objectively
stated; such as, we will set aside five percent of our income for savings, or I
will go the gym at least three time a week.
But what about setting objective goals as we live for Christ? Is it possible for us to set measurable goals
in the rather subjective area of the Christian life?
I have found that the counsel of the
Apostle Peter is most helpful in this regard (2 Peter 1:5-11). As we anticipate
(maybe in 2020) the Lord’s return for us and then our time of accountability
before Him, Peter gives some valuable advice. He begins his second epistle by
reminding us that have been given a wonderful salvation as well as all that we
need for living a godly and productive life. He then exhorts us to add seven
virtues to this great gift of salvation. He points out that if these seven
virtues are present and are growing in our lives, then two things will be true
for us. First, our present lives will be useful and fruitful (1:8), and second,
we will experience significant reward at the return of the Lord Jesus
(1:11). Regarding this second point
(1:11), Peter says that an “abundant” entrance will be given to believers who
add these seven virtues to their faith. This is a picture of rewarding. This abundant
entrance pictures the victorious Olympic athlete triumphantly returning to
his home city. He has won and has brought great honor to himself but also to
his city. Traditionally, such a victorious athlete would not enter the city by
the usual gate, but an entrance would be created just for him. He deserved to
be honored in some distinctive way and an “abundant entrance” would be created
to honor him. Peter conveys the important truth of rewarding at the time of the
Lord’s return (note Rev. 22:12); a time when those who have added these seven
virtues will not just enter the kingdom of Messiah, but will have a special
entrance into that kingdom. So this rich reward comes as a result of diligence
in this life.
But not to be overlooked is the first
point. There are benefits that come to us in this life right now when these
virtues are present and growing. He notes that there are many negatives that
don’t become part of our lives: such as, being unfruitful, having a basically
useless life, stumbling throughout life and not seeing life correctly (1:8-10).
And positively, when these seven virtues are added to our salvation, our lives
have meaning and purpose, there is a certainty and clarity with which we go
through life, and our lives bear fruit which is greatly pleasing to the Father
(John 15:1-12).
So as we enter 2020, with the
empowerment and insights of the Holy Spirit, why not target 2 or 3 of these
seven virtues for development in our personal lives; setting some objective goals for our own Christian
maturing.
While each of these virtues deserves a
complete sermon, here we can just give a brief definition and explanation, so
that we have at least some idea of what we might specifically choose to work
on, as our personal goals for 2020. Here are the seven.
(1) Moral
excellence. This
is a unique word (which is why there is quite a variety of translations). But
the basic idea is that of something which fulfills the purpose or function for
which it is made. So, for example, the “excellence” of a knife is that it cuts
things. Our “excellence” is to fulfill the Lord’s will for our lives, whatever
that might be. God has expressed His will for us in our various roles in life
(in the family, in the church, in the use of money, etc). So the question is,
“am I doing God’s will to the best of my knowledge and ability?” Nothing can
come ahead of obeying Him.
(2) Knowledge. Genuine biblical Christianity has
an intellectual aspect to it. We are told to love the Lord our God with all our
minds, as well as our hearts. Paul reminds us that we are transformed by the
renewing of our minds. (So many churches today seem to believe that we are
transformed by having emotional experiences). We are to understand God’s Word
and apply it to every area of our lives. Diligence, effort is required in
obtaining “knowledge” (note Prov. 2:2-5). A worthy goal for sure.
(3) Self-control. In every aspect of life, the
passions, the thoughts, the emotions and the desires of the believer are to be
controlled. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23), and the believer
in whom the Spirit dwells has the power to be self-controlled in any and all
areas of life, including the thought life (note 2 Cor. 10:5). “Addiction” ought
not be dominating any area of the believer’s life. Any areas that are out of
control?
(4) Perseverance. This word means to “stay under”
and looks at a life that does not move away from the Lord when confronted by
adversity, difficulty or distress. This one does not give up but rather
increasingly submits to the Lord. This become more and more ingrained in life
when the believers comes to understand that the Lord is sovereign, good and all
knowing. Am I resolved in all settings to stick with the Lord?
(5) Godliness. The emphasis of this word is
having an attitude of reverence that seeks to include and please God in every
area of life. Believers, long ago, used to speak of “practicing the presence of
Christ.” Theirs was an attitude of dependence and trust in the Lord on a
daily/hourly basis. (Just including the Lord in our lives on Sunday mornings
would likely point to an “ungodly” life.)
Today, it seems that Christians are more and more secular (ungodly) in
the way they do life. Am I godly or ungodly?
(6) Brotherly
kindness. This
word communicates the point that we are to be gracious and merciful in our
attitude towards other imperfect believers (the person in the mirror is clearly
in that category). It does not mean that sin is overlooked, but it does mean
that we will be ready to forgive and will attempt to guard the unity of the
Body of Christ. It includes the idea of being “devoted” to one another (Rom.
12:10).
(7) Love. We would expect this greatest of
all virtues (note 1 Cor. 13:1-4) to be included in Peter’s list. It speaks of a
mindset that seeks what is the very best for others. This is produced in the
heart of the yielded, obedient believer by the Spirit of God. We are able to
“grow in love” as we search the Scriptures to discover what constitutes the
best for others; husbands, wives, children, fellow believers; the neighbors,
folks at work or school). Then we can seek to actually do what is best for
those individuals. This likely is an area that most of us need to be “diligent”
in.
As we come to 2020 with the
possibility of the Lord Jesus returning, we want to be living our lives “with
all diligence.” But instead of just vaguely or generally trying to mature in
Christ, why not select two or three of these virtues and target them in 2020?
