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Maturing as Believers - Cautions

 

We have been looking at what it means to grow spiritually as a believer. We looked at the foundation of the Christian life that must be faith in Jesus Christ. Then we must add virtue or courage as the word is defined, and then knowledge of God. Then we learned temperance or self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity.

We are to grow as Christians as we are told in 2 Peter 3:18 -  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

We have looked at the promise of adding to our faith which is we shall neither be barren or unfruitful in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But what is the caution, the warning if we fail to add to our faith?

2 Peter 1:9 - But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 

What things is he talking about? He is talking about the eight virtues that were mentioned in the previous verses. If we lack those things, if we fail to add to our faith it is very dangerous ground because we are warned that it will cause blindness. That word blindness if traced back to the Greek root word it means self-centered, filled with pride. A person that does not add to their faith will become blind to their own sinful condition and their need for spiritual guidance.

The results of spiritual blindness is that this person will forget they were ever saved. We are told in 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 

Let’s heed these cautions and grow in grace, grow in our knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.