Think Right

 

Philippians 4:8 

SUBJECT: ANXIETY

THEME: Part of the Secret to Victory Over Worry and Anxiety is Right Thinking, coupled with the “God of peace” to guide us and the “Peace of God” to protect our feelings and thoughts against worry.                              

RELEVANCE: Often, we forfeit the joy of the Lord through worries that plague our minds and hearts. Fears, worries, uncertainties, and even people can literally rob us of our joy, leaving us anxious. Yet the Lord wants us to have a heart that is joyful and uninfluenced by the uncertainties life will present. We can have strong joy when we Pray, Think, and Live right, but we must rely on the “God of Peace” to give us the “peace of God” as we meet these conditions.

INTRODUCTION:

In Phil 4:6 the word “careful” means “to be pulled in different directions.” Our hopes pull us one way; our apprehensions pull us in the contrary direction; and we are pulled apart with worry and anxiety. The key is not succumbing to victimhood, but to consciously choose Christ for victory.

The antidote to worry is God’s peace. “And the peace of God ... shall keep [garrison, guard like a soldier] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

When you have this:

          1. The “peace of God” guards you (Phil 4:7)

          2. The “God of peace” guides you (Phil 4:9)

          3. With such protection there is no need to worry!

If we are to conquer worry and experience peace, we must meet the conditions God gave. There are three:

     A.  Right Praying (Phil 4:6-7)

     B.  Right Thinking (Phil 4:8)

     C.  Right Living (Phil 4:9)

MESSAGE:

RIGHT THINKING; PEACE THROUGH CORRECT THOUGHTS.  (Phil. 4:8)

    * This inner peace involves the heart (feelings) and the mind (thoughts).

Isaiah 26:3, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

    * Wrong thinking leads to wrong feeling, and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are strangled by worry.

    * We must realize that thoughts are real and powerful, even though they cannot be seen, weighed, or measured. We must discipline and train our minds to be obedient to Christ. This is challenging, but very possible. 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;

QUOTE: "Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny!"— Unknown

Paul spells out in detail some things we ought to think about as Christians.

A.  THINK ABOUT TRUE THINGS. Phil. 4:8

The first place to focus is on true matters. Concentrating on the facts and giving preference to what can be verified by the evidence. There is something else here that must not be missed; it is the concept of focusing on the positive.  

Now the apostle gives a closing bit of advice concerning the thought life. The Bible everywhere teaches that we can control what we think. It is useless to adopt a defeatist attitude, saying that we simply cannot help it when our minds are filled with unwelcome thoughts. The fact of the matter is that we can help it. The secret lies in positive thinking. It is what is now a well-known principle—the expulsive power of a new affection. A person cannot entertain evil thoughts and thoughts about the Lord Jesus at the same time. If, then, an evil thought should come to him, he should immediately get rid of it by meditating on the Person and work of Christ. The more enlightened psychologists and psychiatrists of the day have come to agree with the Apostle Paul on this matter. They stress the dangers of negative thinking.^[1]

   1.  Most of Us Worry About Things We Cannot Control.

QUOTE: “Dr. Walter Cavert reported a survey on worry that indicated that only 8 percent of the things people worried about were legitimate matters of concern! The other 92 percent were either imaginary, never happened, or involved matters over which the people had no control anyway.” — Warren W. Wiersbe

   2. We Can Control Our Minds by Believing the Truth.

“True” has the sense of valid, reliable, and honest—the opposite of false or speculative. Such ‘uprightness’ characterizes God (Rom 3:4) and should also depict believers. The idea is what really is or what is so or what has happened.

Romans 3:4, God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

1 Peter 5:12, By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

True (alēthē) things are of course the opposite of dishonest and unreliable things (cf. Eph. 4:15, 25). ^[2]

A believer that is consistently truthful builds authenticity into relationships; they are transparent and can be counted on for honest feedback that edifies others. He does not resort to lies, manipulations, or flattery.

       A.  Satan Attempts to Controls Our Minds with Lies.

Certainly, we don’t want the devil in our heads!

              1.  Satan is the liar (John 8:44).

John 8:44, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

             2.  Satan wants to corrupt our minds with his lies (2 Cor 11:3).

 2 Cor. 11:3, But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

ILLUSTRATION: “Yea, hath God said?” is the way he approaches us, just as he approached Eve (Gen 3:1).

       B.  The Holy Spirit Controls Our Yielded Minds Through Truth (John 17:17; 1 John 5:6).

John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 

1 John 5:6, This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

APPLICATION: But bear always in mind that the devil tries to control our thoughts through lies. Whenever we believe a lie, Satan takes over. He effectively won that battle on that occasion. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to remind us of the truths from God’s Word to help us combat the lies of Satan. It helped us greatly to live by Bible principles and direct statements from the New Testament especially. Also, we must bring our minds under the influence of God’s Word with even greater concentration when we are most inclined to worry. It is both a protective and guiding measure. Submitting our minds to Christ is a pre-conflict decision each believer must make to be obedient to him and to steer clear of the devil’s influence. Remember, Satan will try to manipulate us using his lies, the promise of independence of God, riches, power, pride, and our worship. Often these temptations (the lust of the flesh, lust of eyes, and the pride of life) are hidden or concealed; so, we must be discerning.  

B.  THINK ABOUT HONEST AND JUST THINGS. Phil. 4:8

This means “dignified and worthy of respect.” It speaks of what is morally attractive and deserving honor.

   1. Think on the Things That Are Worthy of Respect.

There are many things that are not respectable, and Christians should not think about these things. This does not mean we hide our heads in the sand and avoid what is unpleasant and displeasing, but it does mean we do not focus our attention on dishonorable things and permit them to control our thoughts. You must discipline your thought life. (1 Tim. 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2)

   2.  Think on Things That Meet God’s Standard.

“Right” speaks of what is upright or just, conformable to God’s standards and thus worthy of his approval.

The word “just” is from the Greek word meaning both “just” and also “righteous,” here, “righteous” in a comprehensive sense.^[3]

APPLICATION: We can help our thoughts, and we can choose to think about things that meet with God’s approval. I must hasten to observe that if we expose our ears and eyes to filth then that is exactly what your thoughts will consist of. Avoid working against yourself by cleaning up the stuff you expose yourself to. Fill your reflections with “right,” respectful, and holy concepts and notions. Good books, healthy Christian biographies, wholesome music with great God-centered lyrics, and Christ filled movies are a great starting place. Remember also, that everything that claims to be godly or Christian is actually worldly, carnal, and devilish!

C. THINK ABOUT PURE, LOVELY, AND GOOD REPORT THINGS. Phil. 4:8

These observations must not be overlooked or diminished in their importance.

    1. Concentrate on Pure Thinking.

“Pure” probably refers to moral purity, since the people then, as now, were constantly attacked by temptations to sexual impurity (Eph 4:17-24; 5:8-12). Our life situation, TV, radio, magazines, and the internet are filled with vile content so, this idea of remaining pure will require real discipline. Songs often portray some scandalous behavior and ideas that we would be wise to guard against. Preaching, teaching, counseling, and instruction in righteousness must contrast wickedness with purity for clarity’s sake but spend the necessary time making the wholesome very clear to the listener also. For example, if the awful imagine of a worldly-wise wicked women come to mind; well, this can be defeated with the image of Christ on the cross willingly suffering for my sins. Another example would be counteracting angry hasty decisions by featuring Abigail armed with a future vision and wise counsel calmly talking David into cherishing the will of God more than personal revenge. Be sure to emphasize the positive solutions and procedures not merely indicating what was wrong.

    2. Concentrate on Lovely Thoughts.

“Lovely” means “beautiful, attractive.”  This relates to what is pleasing, agreeable, or amiable.

APPLICATION: In verse 7, Paul had assured the believer that God would safeguard their hearts and minds through the Lord Jesus Christ. But it is also required that we maintain our responsibilities in these matters.  God does not protect the person’s mind who does not want it to be kept pure. (Dr. W. W. Wirsbe)

Thinking about the “lovely” leadership qualities of David, the inspiring patience of Job, the desirable traits of Daniel, the motivation of Paul, the obedience of Peter, and the devotion of the apostle John is desirable. What about the attractive qualities of Sarah, Mordecai, Ruth, Hosea, and Joseph. While just about anyone can be critical, there is something to be said for a person who can spot these beautiful qualities in others. 

    3. Concentrate on Good Reports.

“Of good report” means “worth talking about, appealing.” It denotes what is praiseworthy, attractive, and what rings true to the highest standards. Our minds are naturally focused on the bad, evil, negative, and shameful. We must fight against this natural tendency to emphasize the good report.

APPLICATION: The believer must major in the high and noble thoughts, not the base thoughts of this corrupt world. The secret to this kind of thinking is to focus on Jesus Christ as soon as an evil thought comes to mind. Whenever we are tempted to think wrong toward someone we have forgiven, we divert our thoughts back to their qualities and the things we can appreciate– refusing to think on matters we have forgiven them for.  Often it helps if we feel compassion for them in their predicament it helps. If we feel tempted to say something nasty or unkind about someone, we must discipline ourselves to report the good and express words of praise and appreciation for what we can because it’s inappropriate to criticize in most cases. Truly our thoughts are a formidable battleground.   

D.  THINK ABOUT VIRTUOUS AND PRAISE-WORTHY THINGS. Phil. 4:8

Now we look at the last area of mental concentration and focus, the virtuous and that which is worthy of praise. Consciencely thinking on outstanding goodness in general, the glory of knowing God and sharing His great power, moral excellence of character, and things deserving of celebratory expressions—matters we can applaud, support, or admire (2Pet. 1:3).

     1. If it Has Virtue, it Will Motivate Us to Do Better; and If it Has Praise, it Is Worth Commending to Others.

     2.  We Cannot Afford to Waste “Brain Power” on Thoughts That Tear ourselves down or That Would Tear Others Down If These Thoughts Were Shared.

ILLUSTRATION:  If you will compare this list to David's description of the Word of God in Ps 19:7-9, you will see a parallel. The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God's Word will have a “built-in radar” for detecting wrong thoughts. “Great peace have they which love Thy Law” (Ps 119:165). Right thinking is the result of daily meditation on the Word of God.  Through the Word we can have peace through Thinking! (Dr. W. W. Wiersbe)

Psalm 19:7-9, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. [8] The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. [9] The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

One caution here: we do not automatically accept information because it is positively presented, and we do not automatically reject something if it is stated negatively. Evidence is what we need…solid incontrovertible proof is what we require. Alignment with God’s Word is the standard for each of us; our own thought or conclusion may be misinformed, but God’s Word when properly interpreted and applied is totally reliable. It helps us to be thoroughly familiar with it.

CONCLUSION:

Right praying, right thinking, and next right living: these are the conditions for solid peace and victory over worry. There is no middle ground. Either we yield heart and mind to the Spirit of God and practice right praying, thinking, and living; or we yield to the flesh and find ourselves torn apart by worry. Again, worrying is sin! We have the peace of God to guard us and the God of peace to guide us!

Many are motivated to protect their ‘peace,’ and they make major decisions to secure their own ‘peace.’ Usually this means avoiding drama, disorder, confusion, and chaos that is generated by others. They opt for an environment filled with quietness, tranquility, and calmness, which is admirable in many regards. But we can be thankful that God’s brand of “peace” provides protection for us! His “peace” keeps us…garrison us about and protect us from excessive anxiety regardless of the external conditions.

Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. We desire that our spoken words, and internal thoughts would be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. So, we embrace the connection between our inner thoughts and outward expressions. We seek alignment between our external speech and internal reflections and want harmony with God’s will and character. We long for a life of integrity, where thoughts and words are rooted in God’s eternal truth, bringing honor to the Lord as our Rock and Redeemer.  

---

^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1979.

^[2] Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 664.

^[3] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 5 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 110.

A Correct Attitude Towards Christ

Matthew 5:6-9

The Lord’s Beatitudes detail what it means to be “Blessed!” Many people claim to be “blessed and highly favored.” But if you probe deeply enough, “blessed” is usually associated with material gain—health and wealth. While these are great and desirable characteristics, they are not what our Lord Jesus was referring to. No, Christ Jesus has something far more substantial in view when He uttered the word “Blessed.”

You see the way to heavenly blessedness is the opposite of the worldly path normally followed in pursuit of happiness. It is quite natural reasoning that leads us to think happiness is found in riches, merriment, abundance, leisure, and such things. The truth is quite different when the Scriptures are consulted.

The Beatitudes give Jesus’ description of the character of true righteousness. They designate the attitudes that should mark each genuine Believer’s daily experience. The attitudes addressed in verses 6 through 9 are generally focused toward our Lord. While it has become common for folks to confess their disappointment, disbelief, anger, and frustration with the Lord, this passage enlarges upon holy feelings towards Him. Let us look at what He envisioned for us. Use this opportunity to examine your own heart…how do you feel towards our Lord Jesus?

A Right Attitude Towards Our Lord (Vv. 5:6–9).

We Are to Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (5:6).

A blessing is pronounced on those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: they are promised satisfaction.

The Role of Believers is Given (5:6 A): God Blesses Those Who Pursue Virtue, Moral Purity, Good Ethics, and Fairness.

We are to Have an Appetite or Passion for What is Right. There is in all healthy people the hunger for food, for love, for God. This beatitude, however, is a passionate hunger and thirst for goodness, for personal holiness. Righteousness refers to integrity, virtue, purity of life, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting. There is also a strong desire for justice where each person is given what he is due or has earned or deserve.  

Christ Calls Believers to Have a Passion for Righteousness. In our own lives; We should long to see honesty, integrity, and justice in society. We are to look for practical holiness in our church. Like the people of whom Gamaliel Bradford wrote, we should have “a thirst no earthly stream can satisfy, a hunger that must feed on Christ or die.”

We are Not to Desire Self-righteousness, nor Unfairness. We are to be the opposite of the self-righteous Pharisees. The Pharisees were not “righteous;” they felt they had attained righteousness. Therefore, they did not have a continual appetite or desire for it. They were more concerned with “legalities” of God’s law and their own laws than with being truly right in the heart with God and their fellowman. We're not to be prickly, perfect and proud about our morals. This simply feeds the self-righteous ego. Jesus spoke of those who seek God’s righteousness rather than attempting to establish a righteousness of their own.

Romans 10:3, For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Philip. 3:9, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

This Spiritual Appetite is to be a Continuing Desire for Personal, Social, and Future Righteousness. 

Philip. 3:13-14, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Like the Apostle Paul, Christians growing closer to the Lord Jesus want what he wants. When evil happens, we hurt for victims and long for the end of evil's influence and strength. We want God's victory over evil to be complete soon—even now. We hunger for the end of trouble, for the full measure of God's peace and righteousness. Whenever you pray for God's will to be done, you are getting hungry for righteousness. Pray often, until the little hunger pangs become a holy passion and your heart becomes centered on what God wants most.

What about the natural man; does he hunger and thirst for righteousness? The ones I meet do not! They have a hunger for more sin.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14).

The “natural man” is in contrast to the spiritual man who has found that Christ is his righteousness—“…of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor.1:30).

The Reward of Believers is Given (5:6 B): We Will Receive Righteousness in Full.

The blessing to the hungry soul will be abundantly satisfied in Christ!

What We Seek, Righteousness, Will Fill Us; It Will Satisfy Our Hunger and Thirst for a Right Relationship with God.

When We Have This Intense Longing for Righteousness We are Blessed. Furthermore, filled means Satisfaction because we are so filled with God that we completely do God's will, without tripping up, careless sinning, making mistakes, and disappointing God. Filled relates to Satisfaction in total discipleship and complete obedience.

The idea is that God Will Completely Satisfy Our Spiritual Hunger and Thirst. There has never been a desire to be holy which God was not willing to gratify! Through the gospel and the power of the Spirit we have all we need to be truly holy. See Isa 55:1-3; 65:13; John 4:14; 6:35; 7:37-38; Ps 17:15.

Also in Christ’s Coming Kingdom: We Will Be Filled, For Righteousness Will Reign! All corruption will give way to the highest moral standards under the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, Ask the People of the World if they are Satisfied with what it Offers.

Ask the actress, surfeiting with fame and fortune, but peering out on life hungrily: “Are you getting what you want?” We could say to the eminently successful finacier who commands his fleets and controls his industries: “Are you getting what you want?”

We could say to the laborers and workers of America who are enjoying the highest standard of living in history: “Are you getting what you want?”

We could say to the consumers of America who have the best homes, the most comfortable furniture, the finest food, the cleverest gadgets, and the smoothest, most powerful automobile: “Are you getting what you want?””  ---The Secret of Happiness

Beloved, the desire to be “blessed” is likely universal to believers and non-believers alike. The way to deep abiding happiness cannot be obtain from sources in this world. No, the true source is the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, we must hunger and thirst for divine righteousness; this condition in the soul will secure the Lord’s blessing of being filled with righteousness! 

Our Pursuit and Destiny

2 Peter 1

Peter, the spiritual slave and specially "sent one" of the Lord Jesus, addresses himself to fellow believers who possess the very same precious faith.  We believers have received the righteousness of God through faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.  The primary thrust of Peter’s communications is growth in the Lord through the precious Word of God.  He does not want believers to be immature, lazy, unproductive, and insecure regarding our standing before the Lord. God would have each of us compelled by a vision of maturity as our pursuit and eternal destiny. Are you passionate about growth in godliness?

Through the full personal and experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ, God’s grace and peace can be multiplied in life! This wonderfully issues into meaningful virtuous and godly lifestyles for the people of Christ. Such developments are made possible by the power and calling of a God of brilliant glory and virtue. This is our calling! He has given believers promises that exceed greatness… hope filled encouragements that are truly precious and valuable. Why? It is because they literally fuel our highest God-given dreams and enable our profound spiritually comprehensive transformation in Christ! Beloved, they enable us to share in the divine nature of God and break utterly free from the corrupting influences of this world system.

While we have been given these incredible opportunities, we believers must be zealous and diligent about maturing in the Lord and taking on the character of our gracious Lord Jesus Christ.  Such glorious qualities must be cultivated with determination and constancy thereby ensuring productivity and fruitfulness in the Lord.  For the lazy believer who fails to pursue these outstanding traits, lies spiritual blindness, and forgetfulness about one’s own salvation. A wasted life is of no benefit to the believer, nor to the glory of God.  But, for the diligent in growth there will be a certainty about their own calling and election mingled with an assurance of not falling and stumbling around in a backslidden state.  Peter gives further incentive for spiritual development to the believer grappling with his own personal growth in a painstaking manner.  As he continues, God promises a fully magnificent and marvelous entrance into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.  What stimulating inspiration for throwing oneself into moral and spiritual growth, progress, and promotion in Christ!

Peter is obviously burdened about this matter and offers immediate help for us through his encouragements and the Word of God.  He persistently reminds us believers and painstakingly rehearses truths already well known to us. Not because he is shallow, but to illuminate the true way ahead. He is confident that his death is near; in this light, he continues to empress us all with the importance of fundamental Bible teachings to stabilizing growing believers in the faith. If Peter emphasized the critical importance of the Scriptures in the very last years of his life then we must take the Word seriously for spiritual advancement today.  

Peter assures believers that our Christian faith is not based on “cunningly devised fables.”  No, when he spoke of “the power and coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ, He spoke concrete truth just as the Old Testament prophecies did.  Peter along with James and John personally witnessed the majesty of Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. This event demonstrated His awe-inspiring power and foreshadowed His coming to the earth in outstanding power and glory.  Moses and Elijah were there to typify the OT and Rapture Saints.  The three Jewish believers were there signifying the believing Jewish population at Christ’s glorious return to the earth. This all transpired on a mountain pointing to the establishment of Christ’s eternal kingdom on earth.  Peter certified these ancient predictions with his own eyewitness account and the very Voice of Jehovah Who gave honor and glory to Christ on this same occasion. God is utterly pleased with His Son, Jesus and validates Christ in connection to these ancient prophecies regarding Messiah.

Peter further explains why these accounts are reliable and trustworthy by pointing out how the Scriptures proclaim a united message, with a common theme, because they came from one heart—The Spirit of God.  These are not “private interpretation” nor did they come from the “will of man.”  No, Scripture came from God using holy men to proclaim His pure unadulterated truth! They still point to a “day star” of hope already rising in the heart of genuine believers.  Jesus Christ will come again and receive us believers unto Himself, but until that time and no matter how dark the day, we still have a “light that shineth in a dark place.”  The Word of God lights the way and enlightens the heart providing powerful hope, brilliant insight and understanding about Christ until He finally comes for us. Yes, beloved…no matter what…Jesus is still our rock-solid hope!

The believer then therefore can count on the Book of Promises because it is “exceeding great and precious.”  As we do so we will continue to escape the corruption and darkness of this world’s system to become more and more like our Savior of glory and virtue. Beloved, maturity is our pursuit and destiny! In doing so, we answer our calling, will be assured or our election, will be fruitful and productive, and will anticipate the day we see our wonderful Savior face to face. 

What's Your Purpose?

Subject: Spiritual Growth 

Theme: acknowledging God’s purpose for Believers stimulates our pursuit of real spiritual growth.

Introduction:

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:1–4)

Purpose is the reason we do what we do. It answers the questions of "Why were we created?" and "Why do we exist?" Knowing our purpose certainly motivates us to action and affords us deep rooted justification for our actions. Purpose explains our intentions and objectives providing fortitude and resilience in the face of incredible difficulty and obstacles. In some respects a just and righteous cause is worth laying down our lives to preserve or to secure for others. So, we all would agree that knowing and understanding our fundamental reason for existing is a potentially empowering awareness. Purpose is the point of daily living. So...what's your purpose? Why are you here? Do you know the core meaning of your existence? Would you like to know more...to discover your "WHY"?

Living with purpose has become the pursuit of many people as they attempt to find meaning and significance through their relationships, professional goals, a worthy cause, and educational endeavors. While a measure of fulfillment and satisfaction can be realized by these common approaches, lasting and deep fulfillment comes through a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. You see, God made us for His glory, His pleasure, and His purposes. The highest satisfaction in this life and eternity can be found exclusively in our walk with Him. In fact, God's plan of redemption and spiritual development encompass this extraordinary idea of His purpose for us in Christ Jesus. As many have observed on numerous occasions, building a life that reminds God of His darling Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is no small undertaking. If our estimation of the Lord Jesus is anything near the Bible’s presentation of Him then you understand this is a monumental task! Assuming the responsibility of genuine spiritual development is not only our obligation, but also a part of God's special design for each of our lives. It is a part of our purpose...why we are still on the planet. In this lesson you will see that God provides us with a grand purpose and a path to realizing His design experientially--that is, day by day. Let us begin by entertaining His purpose....

Lesson:

I.                   God Provides Purpose; Notice Why We Have God’s Provisions (2Pet. 1:3, 4).

A.     To live a godly life (2Pet. 1:3).

                                                 1.      Just as His power saves us in the first place, so His power energizes us to live holy lives from then on. The order is—first life, then godliness.

i.         The gospel is the power of God to save from the penalty of sin and from its power! It delivers from damnation and from defilement. “Godliness” means to be holy and to live reverently, loyally, and obediently toward our great God. It is an attitude of reverence and respect toward Him (1Tim. 2:2).

ii.       When people truly believe, Christ begins to fashion them into a community of faith, the church body of Christ (Eph. 2:1–3:11; 1 Pet. 2:9–10).

i.         His ultimate purpose in the gospel is to create a new people who live out the message, relationships, and values of His kingdom, a kingdom in which justice replaces injustice, community replaces rugged individualism, and compassion reigns over competition and neglect of others.

ii.       Thus the gospel is not merely a private relationship with God, but a public expression of godliness as well. The good news about Jesus certainly affects one's personal life, transforming individual attitudes and habits. But it challenges us to look beyond our own self-interests to the interests of others, both those in our network of relationships and in the world in general (Rom. 12:3–8; Eph. 4:1–16; Phil. 2:1–11). To embrace the gospel is to live no longer for oneself, but to live for Christ.

                                                 2.      Moreover, Christ has commissioned us, His followers, to spread the good news about Him throughout the world (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; Jn. 20:21; Acts 1:8; 1Cor. 15:58).

i.         This involves both the verbal proclamation of gospel truth and the demonstration of gospel reality in the lives of believers.

ii.       Both can happen in a variety of ways: through preaching and teaching, through Christian worship and daily disciplines of spiritual life, through works of mercy and programs of compassion that meet basic human needs, or through believers taking moral stands.

B.     To answer our call to glory and virtue (2Pet. 1:3).

                                                 1.      The power to live a holy life comes through the knowledge of Him who called us.

i.         Christ called us by revealing to us the wonders of His Person. Christ attracts people enslaved by sin (2Pet. 2:19) by His own moral excellence and the total impact of His glorious Person.  Saul of Tarsus was called on the road to Damascus when he saw the glory of God in the exalted Christ.

ii.       A later disciple testified, “I looked into His face and was forever spoiled for anything that was unlike Him.” He was called by His glory and excellent virtue.

                                                 2.      Christ called us to this life of godliness by His own glory and virtue (1 Peter 1:15).

i.         Just as a baby has a definite genetic structure that determines how he will grow, so the believer is “genetically structured” to experience “glory and virtue.” One day we will be like the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29; 1 John 3:2). We have been “called... to His eternal glory” (1 Peter 5:10), and we shall share that glory when Jesus Christ returns and takes His people to heaven.

ii.       But we are also “called... to virtue.” We have been saved so that we might “show forth the praises [virtues] of Him who hath called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). We should not wait until we get to heaven to become like Jesus Christ! In our character and conduct, we should reveal His beauty and grace today.

C.     To escape the corruption in the world (2Pet. 1:4).

                                                1.      No wonder Peter says the promises of God are precious and exceeding great! These promises enable the believer to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.

                                                2.      God has promised all that we need to resist temptation. When passionate cravings come, we can claim the promises. They enable us to escape from the world’s corruption—its sexual sin, its drunkenness, its filth, its misery, its meaninglessness, its treachery, and its strife.

                                                 3.      Because we possess this divine nature, we have “completely escaped” the defilement and decay in this present evil world. If we feed the new nature the nourishment of the Word, then we will have little interest in the garbage of the world. But if we “make provision for the flesh” (Rom. 13:14), our sinful nature will lust after the “old sins” (2 Peter 1:9) and we will disobey God. Godly living is the result of cultivating the new nature within. –The Bible Exposition Commentary

II.                God Provides a Path; Notice How We Access God’s Provisions (2Pet. 1:2, 3, 4).

A.     Through Personal Saving Knowledge of God (2Pet. 2, 3).

                                                 1.      In his first epistle, Peter emphasized the grace of God (1 Peter 5:12), but in this second letter, his emphasis is on the knowledge of God. The word know or knowledge is used at least thirteen times in this short epistle. The word does not mean a mere intellectual understanding of some truth, though that is included. It means a living participation in the truth in the sense that our Lord used it in John 17:3—“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (italics mine). –W. W. Wiersbe

                                                 2.      “Knowledge” (vs. 2) implies an intimate and personal relationship. It is the means by which God’s grace and peace may be received and experienced.

                                                 3.      Through the knowledge of God (1:2, 3): “Knowledge” or “full knowledge”, is more than recognition or an intellectual or theoretical knowing. Epignosis is a technical term related to the conversion experience which designates a specifically Christian, saving knowledge of God. This “full knowledge” is based on the truth concerning who Jesus is. It is a personal, dynamic, living, and growing knowledge which transforms the life of the “knower” to correspond to the One known.

B.     Through Partaking of the divine nature (2Pet. 1:4).

                                                 1.      The same promises of God enable us to be partakers of the divine nature.

                                                 2.      This takes place primarily at the time of conversion. When the sinner believes on Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to impart the life and nature of God within. A baby shares the nature of its parents, and a person born of God shares the divine nature of God. The lost sinner is dead, but the Christian is alive because he shares the divine nature. The lost sinner is decaying because of his corrupt nature, but the Christian can experience a dynamic life of godliness because he has God’s divine nature within. Mankind is under the bondage of corruption (Rom. 8:21), but the believer shares the freedom and growth that is a part of possessing the divine nature.

i.         Nature determines appetite. The pig wants slop and the dog will even eat its own vomit (2 Peter 2:22), but the sheep desires green pastures. Nature also determines behavior. An eagle flies because it has an eagle’s nature and a dolphin swims because that is the nature of the dolphin. Nature determines environment: squirrels climb trees, moles burrow underground, and trout swim in the water. Nature also determines association: lions travel in prides, sheep in flocks, and fish in schools.

ii.       If nature determines appetite, and we have God’s nature within, then we ought to have an appetite for that which is pure and holy. Our behavior ought to be like that of the Father, and we ought to live in the kind of “spiritual environment” that is suited to our nature. We ought to associate with that which is true to our nature (see 2 Cor. 6:14ff). The only normal, fruit-bearing life for the child of God is a godly life. –Wiersbe, Warren W.

                                                 3.      Then as we live in the practical enjoyment of what God has promised, we become more and more conformed to His image.

i.         For instance, He has promised that the more we think about Him, the more we will become like Him (2 Cor. 3:18).

ii.       We make this promise a reality by reading the Word, studying Christ as He is revealed in it, and following Him. As we do this, the Holy Spirit changes us into His likeness from one degree of glory to another.

                                                 4.      A transformed group of disciples stood beside a transformed Peter as he announced some weeks later: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)

No timidity in his words. No reluctance. About three thousand people believed his message.

The apostles sparked a movement. The people became followers of the death-conqueror. They couldn't hear enough or say enough about him.… Christ was their model, their message. They preached “Jesus Christ and him crucified,” not for the lack of another topic, but because they couldn't exhaust this one.

What unlocked the doors of the apostles' hearts?

Simple. They saw Jesus. They encountered the Christ. Their sins collided with their Savior and their Savior won!…

A lot of things would happen to them over the next few decades. Many nights would be spent away from home. Hunger would gnaw at their bellies. Rain would soak their skin. Stones would bruise their bodies. Shipwrecks, lashings, martyrdom. But there was a scene in their repertoire of memories that caused them to never look back: the betrayed coming back to find his betrayers; not to scourge them, but to send them. Not to criticize them for forgetting, but to commission them to remember. Remember that he who was dead is alive and they who were guilty have been forgiven. – Lucado, Max: Six Hours One Friday

Conclusion: Acknowledge God’s Provisions for Spiritual Growth; Such spiritual wealth should stimulate progress in spiritual maturity. It is vitally important that we know what we have in Christ!

Peter opened his letter with a description of the Christian life. Before he described the counterfeits, he described the true believers. The best way to detect falsehood is to understand the characteristics of the truth. Peter made three important affirmations about the true Christian life.

1.       The Christian Life Begins with Faith (2 Peter 1:1–4)

2.       Faith Results in Spiritual Growth (2 Peter 1:5–7)

3.       Spiritual Growth Brings Practical Results (2 Peter 1:8–11)–Wiersbe: The Bible Exposition Commentary

Yes, when it comes to spiritual growth, the Lord has a grand purpose for each of our lives. He wants us to have the glorious privilege of being like His excellent Son, Jesus Christ. Beloved, this is why we are here to glorify God through godly change becoming increasing more like our Lord Jesus in character. Yes, having goals related to our families, career, education, or noble causes are good, but godliness is tied to our very reason for existence. It behooves us all to cooperate with the Lord concerning His ultimate design for our lives and redemption—Christlikeness. Truly, this is our “WHY!”