The title of this blog is also the title of a book from 40 years ago written by Chuck Swindoll. His book was on the subject of leadership, and he used Nehemiah and the success Nehemiah had in rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. The thought today isn’t from Nehemiah or Swindoll’s book. The thought is from the second epistle of Simon Peter. The Christian life is one that should be on the pathway of growth. We are told throughout the New Testament that we are to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Our passage today, II Peter 1:4-9, is one of those type passages. Each and every thing we learn adds to the strong wall, a defensive wall, to protect us from the fiery darts of the wicked one. A strong wall is a good thing for each of us.
Everything begins with salvation. We have been given the great and precious promise of salvation, “the divine nature.” We are no longer to be involved in the corruption of the world. We have escaped. But God expects us after that salvation experience to begin a development that Paul describes as being “conformed to the image of Christ” (Romans 8:29). Peter begins in 1:5 with a list of things we are to constantly add to our lives. These are the bricks in your wall I want us to think about.
1. Diligence (v.5). The word literally means “to give every effort that is possible.” It is a constant in our lives that we will intentionally grow in Christ. People who are diligent just keep on plodding. The effort they give on Sunday is the same on Thursday. Every day they just keep on trying. When they fall, they get up again. Proverbs 24:16, “A just man falleth seven times and riseth up again.” Take that diligence and add…
2. Virtue (v.5). One of the desires for the child of God should be moral excellence. This is an internal trait that motivates you to stand firm in your faith, even if it means you stand alone. Take this virtue and add…
3. Knowledge (v.5). It is good to know things. When you know things, it makes life a little easier. Knowing things about Christ, the Bible, the work of God, the people of God are all good things that make our growth in Christ flourish. We learn by observing. Twenty-five years ago, Deb and I were building our home that we now live in. I planned to do some of the work. I had never tiled before, so I found a fellow on another job that allowed me to watch him. I observed how he mixed the mortar and spaced the actual tiles. I even went back the next day and watched him grout the seams. I learned through observation. We also learn through experience. The more you do something the better you get. Successes and failures all contribute to the knowing. One final thing about knowledge. If you know it well, there’s an intimacy involved. The closeness we have with the Lord has a direct link to how much we have learned about the Lord. Take that knowledge and add…
4. Temperance (v.6). The word means “self-control.” We don’t allow anything except the Lord to control us. Not drink, not food, not people, etc. It means saying “no” some times. One preacher said we ought to have the ability to say no to a “second helping” or not take a “second look.” Take the temperance and add…
5. Patience (v.6). Think of the word persevere. We try and live our lives with a firm footing. We are clear in our thinking and steadfast in our resolve. We don’t have to have everything instantly; we can be longsuffering. Take patience and add…
6. Godliness (v.6). The meaning of biblical godliness is living with reverence to God with a commitment to holiness. It is to be authentic. We think correctly about God and desire what He desires. Take the godliness and add…
7. Brotherly Kindness (v.7). Philadelphia is not only a city in Pennsylvania, but also a word that means “to treat others as if they are a part of your family.” In reality most of the people you hang with at church are a part of your family, the family of God. We bear each other’s burdens, we celebrate each other’s joy, we consider their feelings and their ideas. The principle of not offending a weaker brother fits nicely with this trait. Take that kindness and add…
8. Charity (v.7). Agape is the Greek word which is the highest type of love. It is more than a friendship, it is more than a sensual acquaintance, it is the type love that Christ has for you and me. We should desire good things for our brethren in the Lord. We show the world that we are Christians by the love we have for each other.
My, my, what a list? That’s a lot to work on, but if we will, our growth in the Lord will be a beautiful journey with peace and contentment. Walking with Christ brings joy unspeakable and gives us a life full of glory. But there is a great danger. Notice v.9, “But he that lacketh these things…” Christians can not grow. It is sad but that’s the case with many. If there was a newborn baby and five years down the road the baby still couldn’t walk or talk, wasn’t potty trained, and still weighed the same as the day he was born, you would think something is wrong. You would be correct. Yet there are Christians that haven’t grown. Peter says that “if they lack these things” then they are “blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” Failing to look back at being saved is a sad state to find oneself. He can’t see, he is blind. Failing to build with these things listed in the text makes people short-sighted. They don’t see God in anything at all. Their perception is all out of focus. Lastly, there are even some that have forgotten they were purged from their sins. What a sad condition to find themselves when it could all be avoided simply by adding bricks into the wall of their Christian life.