September, 194¿
THE K I N f i ’ S BUS I NES S
342'
for the omniscient - God to grow in wisdom, they taught that His growth was only “seeming.” Then, caught by the inexorable. logic of their error, they finally reduced the entire incar nation to a meré shadowy play-acting. These men were called Docetics, from the Greek word "dokeo" meaning “to seem.” Even though we jnay not be able to explain the mystery, let Us hold fast the reality of our Lord’s growth, It may be true that God can not grow, but Christ was more than God; He was God incarnate. And God incarnate not only could grow, but did grovri We have that on the author ity of the Word of God. Let us beware of shading it down or trying to ex plain it-away. In the second place, we should learn that the growth of our Lord was harmonious a n d symmetrical. His growth was fourfold: He grew intel lectually—“increased in wisdom.” He grew physically—“increased in . . . . stature.” He grew spiritually — “in favor with God,” And He grew socially I —“in favor with . . . man.” No part of His perfect personality advanced in a lopsided manner at the expense of other parts. In the .third place, the growth of oür Lord in those days was continu ous. This fact is indicated by the verbs used1in verses 40 and 52. Each' one has a continuous meaning. 2. "Add to your faith virtue" (2 Pet.. 1:5)..A great many sermons have been preached on this text, arguing that the Christian life is a process of addition. Unfortunately, the ordinary translation has o b s c u r e d the real meaning. Even the context is against this translation. Verse 3 declares, that the believer has received "all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” If that be true (and it is), then the Christián needs to add nothing to what he already has. The more ac curate- American Revision translates the passage, "In your faith supply virtue.” This paints a totally'differ ent picture of the Christian life. It is not a process of addition but of growth. If the reader will look at versé 1, he will see that God starts us out with a “precious faith.” This is not something worked up by human energy, but We "obtained" it- Chris tian faith is the- gift of God. Now this “precious faith” is literally the seed of the Christian life. Just as the entire plant exists potentially in its seed, So the entire Christian life with all its virtues lies potentially with the seed of'faith. Hence we need add nothing to- it. All we need to do is. simply grow: {‘In your faith supply virtue,” etc. It is not “add to your faith virtue.” The passage is intense ly interesting and practical from this standpoint. Notice, fo i example, the order of growth, beginning with the seed of faith and reaching maturity
believer because His provision extends to every need. III. v • T he M ethod (2 Pet. 1:5-8) The word “diligence” implies eager ness, or making haste. Believers are to be eager to' grow spiritually. With out this element, there can,be no ex-' tensive growth- in Christ. We are hot told to acquire faith-—bijt having faith and being regenerated, we are to ex perience spiritual growth. We are told tp add to faith “vir tue,” or “in your faith provide virtue” (margin). The Christian virtues are exhibitions of truth, bestowed. Knowl edge” is the experience, of truth as it is livq,d out. “Temperance” is self-- Control or poise in holding self in re lation to divine standards. “Patience” is steadfastness in continuance,-1it is not mere resignation, out an active aligning of oneself with, God in every experience and circumstance. “Godli ness” is reverence, likeness to God, and hence to 8 F o r If th^se th in g s be in you , and abound, th e y m ak e y o u th a t ye' sh a ll n e ith er b e barren nor tin fru itfu l in th e knowle.dfire. p f j»ur Lord Je;sus C hrist. LESSON T EX T : L u k e 2:40, 52 ; 2 P eter 1:1*8. i • GOLDEN T EX T : “G row in g^*ace, and In th e k n o w led g e of. our Lord and Saviour J e su s C h rist” (2 Pet; 3:18). , DEVOTIONAL R EAD ING : E ph. 4:11-16. Outline and Exposition : . > I. . T he E xample (L i. 2:40, 52) ^ N HIS YOUTH, our Lord was a real boy, undoubtedly having' all the childlike ways that characterize every child. He. grew in mind and in body. There is no authentic sugges tion, although'the thought is expressed in some religious pictures,.- that our Lord, as a child or as a man, was any other than sturdy of body. In Him t h e r e wa s also mental growth, as He became “filled with wis dom” (v. 40). His mind developed along with His body. The mystery of His 'Godhood tabernacling in His body is one for which our finite minds are insufficient. But our faith rises up, and grasps the truth that here was God, the living and eternal God, dwell ing in a human body that day by day grew in strength, and being possessed of a human mind that grew in wis dom. : Furthermore, in Him t h e r e was growth spiritually, as “the grace of God was upon him.” Oh the-one hand there never was a moment when He was not fully aware of who and what He'was as God, while on the other hand there wás steady growth on the; human side. While we' may not un derstand how, in the Person of Christ, there was this union of two natures, the divine and the human, we must and we do believe it. The last. verSe repeats in different order what the first verse of this les son tells us, that Hé “advanced in wis dom and stature [margin, ‘age’], and in favor [margin, ‘grace’] with God and men” (v, 52, R. V.). II. ■ T he P rovision (2 Pet, 1:1-4) This Epistle was written by one who was a “bond, slave and apostle of Jesus Christ” •(v. 1, lit. trans.). The “bond slavé” reveals the relationship;.1 all disciples‘ are bond slaves. The “apostle” reveals the official position; all disciples have different positions. •This .letter is written to a special group, to those who “háve obtained like precious faith.” No oné else can either-understand or make use of what is here written. , rfhe provision for growth in Christ may be included In these three group ings: divine power, giving all things pertaining to life and godliness; di vine promises, exceeding great and precious; leading to divine nature (vs. 3, 4), Hence it cannot be God’s fault if-there is' a ' Lack of growth- in- the BLACKBO ARD LESSON
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker