Cultivate piety, and seek to become more holy.
There are those who mock becoming HOLIER, and more pious, but LOVE FOR *GOD* initiates, and motivates one to striving to become better, more honest, more gentle, kinder, and all those qualities which mimic THE LORD *GOD*, CHRIST JESUS, our SAVIOUR, whom we ARE to FOLLOW, which means more than in thought, or word, instead, in the 'NEWNESS' HE HAS bestowed upon us! It is NOT for outward 'appearances', other than to allow others to SEE HIM in us; it becomes a way of existence for us, as we have broken with the ways of the world, now that we understand, and have surrendered the flesh in order to SERVE HIM, and others...
Too, it is a PROCESS of SPIRITUAL growth, and development, in which case WILL last until we leave this realm. We will NOT be made perfect as we travel this planet, though we ARE being transformed, renewed, and consecrated; NOT for appearance, instead, FOR HIM, HIS WILL, and for being brought INTO our TRUTH, and THE KINGDOM...
But reject irreverent and silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
No diligence in mere outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to the life that now is, but especially to the life which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those who seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new creatures.
1 PETER 4: 1-5...
1+++Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2+++so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3+++For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
4+++In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
5+++but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The strongest and best arguments against sin, are taken from the sufferings of Christ. He died to destroy sin; and though he cheerfully submitted to the worst sufferings, yet he never gave way to the least sin.
Temptations could not prevail, were it not for man's own corruption; but true Christians make the will of God, not their own lust or desires, the rule of their lives and actions. And true conversion makes a marvelous change in the heart and life. It alters the mind, judgment, affections, and conversation. When a man is truly converted, it is very grievous to him to think how the time past of his life has been spent. One sin draws on another. Six sins are here mentioned which have dependence one upon another.
It is a Christian's duty, not only to keep from gross wickedness, but also from things that lead to sin, or appear evil. The gospel had been preached to those since dead, who by the proud and carnal judgment of wicked men were condemned as evil-doers, some even suffering death. But being quickened to Divine life by the Holy Spirit, they lived to God as his devoted servants. Let not believers care, though the world scorns and reproaches them.
2 PETER 3: 3-18...
3+++Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
4+++and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
5+++For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
6+++through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
7+++But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8+++But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
9+++The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
10+++But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
11+++Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12+++looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
13+++But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14+++Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
15+++and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
16+++as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17+++You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
18+++but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
The purified minds of Christians are to be stirred up, that they may be active and lively in the work of holiness. There will be scoffers in the last days, under the gospel, men who make light of sin, and mock at salvation by Jesus Christ. One very principal article of our faith refers to what only has a promise to rest upon, and scoffers will attack it till our Lord is come. They will not believe that he will come. Because they see no changes, therefore they fear not God, Ps 55:19. What he never has done, they fancy he never can do, or never will do.
Had these scoffers considered the dreadful vengeance with which God swept away a whole world of ungodly men at once, surely they would not have scoffed at his threatening an equally terrible judgment. The heavens and the earth which now are, by the same word, it is declared, will be destroyed by fire. This is as sure to come, as the truth and the power of God can make it.
Christians are here taught and established in the truth of the coming of the Lord. Though, in the account of men, there is a vast difference between one day and a thousand years, yet, in the account of God, there is no difference. All things past, present, and future, are ever before him: the delay of a thousand years cannot be so much to him, as putting off any thing for a day or for an hour is to us. If men have no knowledge or belief of the eternal God, they will be very apt to think him such as themselves. How hard is it to form any thoughts of eternity! What men count slackness, is long-suffering, and that to us-ward; it is giving more time to his own people, to advance in knowledge and holiness, and in the exercise of faith and patience, to abound in good works, doing and suffering what they are called to, that they may bring glory to God. Settle therefore in your hearts that you shall certainly be called to give an account of all things done in the body, whether good or evil. And let a humble and diligent walking before God, and a frequent judging of yourselves, show a firm belief of the future judgment, though many live as if they were never to give any account at all. This day will come, when men are secure, and have no expectation of the day of the Lord. The stately palaces, and all the desirable things wherein wordly-minded men seek and place their happiness, shall be burned up; all sorts of creatures God has made, and all the works of men, must pass through the fire, which shall be a consuming fire to all that sin has brought into the world, though a refining fire to the works of God's hand. What will become of us, if we set our affections on this earth, and make it our portion, seeing all these things shall be burned up? Therefore make sure of happiness beyond this visible world.
From the doctrine of Christ's second coming, we are exhorted to purity and godliness. This is the effect of real knowledge. Very exact and universal holiness is enjoined, not resting in any low measure or degree.
True Christians look for new heavens and a new earth; freed from the vanity to which things present are subject, and the sin they are polluted with. Those only who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, shall be admitted to dwell in this holy place. He is faithful, who has promised. Those, whose sins are pardoned, and their peace made with God, are the only safe and happy people; therefore follow after peace, and that with all men; follow after holiness as well as peace.
Never expect to be found at that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in which we must finish the work given us to do. Only the diligent Christian will be the happy Christian in the day of the Lord. Our Lord will suddenly come to us, or shortly call us to him; and shall he find us idle? Learn to make a right use of the patience of our Lord, who as yet delays his coming.
Then let us seek to have our minds prepared for receiving things hard to be understood, by putting in practice things which are more easy to be understood. But there must be self-denial and suspicion of ourselves, and submission to the authority of Christ Jesus, before we can heartily receive all the truths of the gospel, therefore we are in great danger of rejecting the truth. And whatever opinions and thoughts of men are not according to the law of God, and warranted by it, the believer disclaims and abhors. Those who are led away by error, fall from their own steadfastness. And that we may avoid being led away, we must seek to grow in all grace, in faith, and virtue, and knowledge. Labour to know Christ more clearly, and more fully; to know him so as to be more like him, and to love him better. This is the knowledge of Christ, which the apostle Paul reached after, and desired to attain; and those who taste this effect of the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, will, upon receiving such grace from him, give thanks and praise him, and join in ascribing glory to him now, in the full assurance of doing the same hereafter, for ever.
There IS PLENTY of SCRIPTURE dedicated to our 'training' ourselves in *GODLINESS*! KNOWLEDGE IS KEY to understanding, THEN TO BECOMING our REALITY, which IS Children of LIGHT, whom exist, and LIVE IN THE LIGHT, NOT the darkness, NOT in any way, at least not consciously, or willingly! NO! We WON'T be perfect, but that is NOT the point; the point IS that we KNOW THE TRUTH, and ARE melding into it, and with it!!!
Onward we go, IN THE LORD *GOD*, HIS WILL, and HIS WAYS, for we HAVE been CHOSEN; we a 'peculiar' people, FOR HIS GLORY! BLESS THE LORD, PRAISE HIM, WORSHIP HIM, REJOICE IN HIS LOVE for us, HONOUR HIM in ALL your ways, ALL of your days, LOVE as HE LOVES, DO GOOD, and BE GOOD, and EVER AIM TO SHINE OF HIM!!!
LWINSOR © 2020
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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