We’re living in midst of a great falling away. The devil would like to cause all Christians to fall. It’s a primary sign of the days in which we live. I’m glad for solid teaching on this, some preventive measures. In order to avoid illness we take preventative measures. In order to prevent crashes we learn how to operate a vehicle. If we really study these like we do how to stay safe and use the resources found here, Peter says we will never fall.
II Peter 1: 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 Savior 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. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 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 lacketh 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. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
I notice it now more that I used to. When I visit the hospital they put signs that show risks associated with patients outside their rooms or on their doors. I see “fall risk” a lot. Falls happen before you know it and they usually happen in a familiar place. Maybe that contributes to it. We’re used to the place and let down our guard. We’re more careful when we aren’t used to the place. Falls happen and none of us are above them happening to us.
Peter saw how the devil was working in the first century. Some of the followers of Jesus and the apostles left. If they would do it being so close to Jesus and his time on earth, we can. We’ve not learned so much or developed so much as Christians that we’re not at risk. What matters is staying consistent with the instructions to keep us from falling.
When driving we must watch ourselves but we must watch others; often they are the greater risk. We’ve got to watch it—watch what we see on television, what we listen to on the radio. These things influence us and thereby hinder us. We can be walking through the house and a loud noise startle us causing us to fall. That’s why we must seriously take what God has given us here in this scripture.
Verse 1 tells us that we have obtained like precious faith. We need a true trust in God. If we shift our faith from God and pay attention to the devil we’ll fall. We have enough faith to get through. It also tells us it is through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. We can make it in spite of the devil if we stay under the righteousness of God. Verse 3 tells us God hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Ups and downs. Hard or dangerous. We have what we need to get through. God has given us what we need. Verse 4 talks about the promises and calls them exceeding great and precious promises. The devil offers nothing but lies. The Bible is good news; it’s the truth. Refresh yourself with the promises God made and it will keep you from falling. Keep his word and claim his promises.
Verse 5 begins talking about the virtues of God and they will help and strengthen us. Notice there is a deliberate order to these virtues. They are inseparably linked together. If you make a cake you must follow the recipe. Otherwise it won’t work. We have to keep these. They are in verses 5-7: and beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. When we talk about living right we find here what that means. Verse 8 says if we do these things we’ll be fruitful Christians.
Any who lack these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. We’ll forget the blessings of God and find ourselves falling. Verse 10 tells us to watch the warnings. It says to give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. Check yourself just like you do your vehicle. Watch the gas level. Check the oil and tires. We must keep the motor vehicle of our spiritual life running and not just shiny and clean on the outside. This will give us the security to make it home.
Make it a daily point to keep this chapter in mind and follow God’s instruction. It will lower our risk of falling. We don’t know when we might fall physically. God has given us instructions on how not to fall spiritually. Let’s follow them.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 