I recall a time when I was a young parent and our children, who were in elementary school, were introduced to a concept called “higher math.” I was a bit skeptical of math that was considered “higher,” as I never thought I fully grasped the basic math that I was taught, which must have been considered “lower.”
Coming to the Apostle Peter’s second general epistle, we are introduced to what might be called a spiritual kind of higher math. He says that there are some things that ought to be added to our faith, and he also mentions that which should be multiplied, i.e., “grace and mercy.”
Peter, in a very few words, sweeps us up to heavenly spiritual heights, reminding us that Christ’s divine power “hath given us all things that pertain unto godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Pet. 1:3) He had already mentioned that believers are those who “have obtained like precious faith…through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” (1:1). We are the recipients of “exceeding great and precious promises…partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the present world through lust.” (1:4)
Wow! Take off your shoes! This is holy ground for sure. With concepts that could only have been prompted by the Holy Spirit, the fisherman turned apostle—the same fisherman-apostle who one time denied even knowing Jesus—is taking us to the vestibule of heaven, we who have been called to glory and virtue. (v3)
Then, Peter quickly plants our feet back onto terra firma by admonishing us to “add to our faith,” this “precious faith,” a list of seven ideals which should characterize those who are equipped with “all things that pertain unto life and godliness,” through His divine power.
Add to your faith. First, there must be faith! This is the foundation of our Christian life. Faith is the “substance of things hoped for.” (Hebrews 11:1). Paul says we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope…but if we hope for that we seeth not, then we do with patience wait for it.” (Rom. 8:24,25)
What are you hoping for now? (1) The revelation of Jesus Christ: “…we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.” (I John 3:2) (2) The reception into heaven: “Come up hither.” (Rev. 4:1) “With a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thess. 4:16,17) (3) The reward: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only but unto all them also that love His appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:8) (4) The recognition: “…now I know in part, but then I shall know even as I am known.” (I Cor. 13:12) (5) The release. “O wretched man that I am: who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 7:24,25) (6) The redemption. “…but ourselves also…waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Rom. 8:23)
So, the foundation consists of that which is the “substance of things hoped for,” but also, “the evidence of things not seen.” I have never yet seen God with the “naked eye,” nor His Spirit; nor have I seen any literally resurrected body such as Lazarus after he was raised from the dead; I have not seen heaven such as did Paul when he was caught up into paradise where he heard things of which he could not speak; but I believe in each of the above, by faith, as surely as if I had literally, physically seen them. I have never seen electricity, by the way; nor have I personally “seen” wind, or heat, or many other physical entities; but I believe in them. For the unbeliever there are no answers; for the believer there are no questions. The unbelieving mind would not be convinced by “proof;” the believing mind needs no further proof.
So, the question is, “Do you have this precious faith?” If so, you can build upon it and you can make of your life a temple, not a tomb. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. He that cometh to God must first believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. (Heb.11:6) Seek. Believe. Add to your foundation of faith that which will make a life worth living.
Stay tuned for future installments of “Add to Your Faith.”
“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.” (2 Pet. 1:8)
YOU and GOD 