INCREASING QUALITIES (part 1)

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Pt 1.8).

Peter lists eight qualities of a person who is "partaking in the divine nature: "faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love," and reminds us that they are developed in increasing measure and are not simply inherited when we first utter a prayer. For instance, the first of these qualities, faith, is often believed to be a gift from God, an act of mere acceptance. "God you love me enough to sacrifice your Son. I accept that. The end." But that's not the meaning of faith.

"Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see" (Heb 11.1). Nearly every Christian understands this verse to be the definition of faith and yet they often misinterpret that definition. Notice that faith is not "what you hope for" or "what you do not see." We call that "hope." Faith is "being sure" and "certain" of your hope. What's the difference? If you believe I'll give you money tomorrow even though I haven't promised it, then that's hope. If you trust that I will keep my word to you by presenting a promised sum, then that's faith.

"Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Rom 10.17). More Christians know Hebrews 11.1 than know of this verse, even though this clearly defines the source of our faith: God's word. Am I basing my faith in God on what I hope He will do or on what He has promised to fulfill? That's just the first quality of a growing Christian and yet how many of us start off on the right premise?

 

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