Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 153

Struggle manfully for life.

PART XII. CHRISTIAN GROWTH AND EXPERIENCE

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Jacob Going Down Into Egypt. "G.o.d Almighty appeared unto me ... and blessed me." Gen 48:3.

Growth In Grace

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Gideon Choosing His Army. "Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart." Judges 7:3.

1. How does the apostle Peter close his second epistle?

"But _grow in grace_, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18.

2. How may grace and peace be multiplied in believers?

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you _through the knowledge of G.o.d, and of Jesus our Lord_." 2 Peter 1:2.

3. What is implied in a knowledge of G.o.d and Jesus Christ?

"And _this is life eternal_, that they might know Thee the only true G.o.d, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3.

4. By what may we be partakers of the divine nature?

"Whereby are given unto us _exceeding great and precious promises_: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through l.u.s.t." 2 Peter 1:4.

5. What graces are we to add in our character building?

"Add to your faith _virtue_ [courage]; and to virtue _knowledge_; and to knowledge _temperance_ [self-control]; and to temperance _patience_; and to patience _G.o.dliness_; and to G.o.dliness _brotherly kindness_; and to brotherly kindness _charity_." Verses 5-7.

NOTES.-_Faith_ is the first round in the Christian ladder, the first step G.o.dward. "He that cometh to G.o.d must _believe_." Heb.

11:6.

But an inoperative faith is useless. "Faith without _works_ is dead." James 2:20. To be of value, there must be coupled with faith that _virtue_, or _courage of conviction_, which impels to _action_.

To courage there needs to be added _knowledge_; otherwise, like the stumbling Jews, one may have a zeal, "but _not according to knowledge_." Rom. 10:2. Fanaticism is the result of such courage, or zeal. Knowledge, therefore, is an essential to healthy Christian growth.

To knowledge there needs to be added _temperance_, or _self-control_-_self-government_. See Acts 24:25, American Standard Version, and margin of Revised Version. To know to do good, and not do it, is as useless as is faith without works. See James 4:17. Instead of _temperance_, the Twentieth Century New Testament invariably says _self-control_.

_Patience_ naturally follows _temperance_. It is well-nigh impossible for an intemperate person to be _patient_.

Having gained control of oneself, and become patient, one is in a condition to manifest _G.o.dliness_, or _G.o.d-likeness_.

Having become G.o.dly, _kindness toward the brethren_, or _brotherly kindness_, naturally follows.

_Charity_, or love for _all_, even our _enemies_, is the crowning grace, the highest step, the eighth round, in the Christian ladder.

The arrangement in this enumeration of graces is by no means accidental or haphazard, but logical and sequential, each following the other in natural, necessary order. The finger of Inspiration is seen here.

6. What is said of charity in the Scriptures?

"Charity _suffereth long, and is kind; ... thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity_, but _rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things_." 1 Cor. 13:4-7. "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for _charity shall cover the mult.i.tude of sins_." 1 Peter 4:8. "Love covereth all sins."

Prov. 10:12.

7. What is charity called?

"And above all these things put on charity, which is _the bond of perfectness_." Col. 3:14.

8. What is the result of cultivating these eight graces?

"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 Peter 1:8.

9. What is the condition of one who lacks these graces?

"But he that lacketh these things _is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins_." Verse 9.

10. What is promised those who add grace to grace?

"If ye do these things, _ye shall never fall_." Verse 10.

The Christian Armor

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Midianites Put To Flight. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal." 2 Cor. 10:4.

1. What power was to make war upon the remnant church prior to the second advent?

"And _the dragon_ [Satan] was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of G.o.d, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17.