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With Active Good Will Towards All
II PETER 1:5-11
INTRODUCTION:
1. As noted throughout this series, growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ involves the development of a Christ-like character.
a. A development that requires diligence
b. A character that includes eight attributes working together in spiritual harmony
2. This Christ-like character is developed through:
a. Building On Faith (faith)
b. Striving For Excellence (virtue)
c. Increasing In Knowledge (knowledge)
d. Controlling The Self (self-control)
e. Bearing Up Under Trials (perseverance)
f. Seeking To Please God (godliness)
g. Loving The Brethren (brotherly kindness)
3. But this "spiritual construction project" is not complete without the addition of love...
a. Which serves as the epitome of Peter's list of graces
b. Which must be something special, for it is often exalted above other graces
1) Exalted above faith and hope - 1 Cor 13:13
2) Given first place in what constitutes the fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:22
3) To be adorned "above all" the graces mentioned by Paul - Col 3:14
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
4. What is "love", and how is it any different than "brotherly Kindness"?
BODY:
I. THE DEFINITION OF LOVE
A. THE GREEK WORD IS AGAPE.
1. One of four Greek words translated love
a. philia - the love of close friends or brothers
b. storge - the love of family
c. eros - sexual love
d. agape - love which seeks the highest good of others
1) Not just friends, family, or brethren, but even enemies
Matthew 5:44
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
2) Thus it is a higher form of love than "brotherly kindness"
2. It can be said that agape love:
a. Does not depend upon the one being loved as having earned such love
b. Is not an exclusive love (brothers only), but an all-embracing benevolence
c. Is not an uncontrolled reaction of the heart, but a concentrated exercise of will
d. Is a caring love, one which becomes involved in the needs of others
3. Perhaps the simplest definition is the one often given: "active good will"
B. BEST EXEMPLIFIED BY THE FATHER AND THE SON.
1. God the Father demonstrated agape love
a. His love for sinners is completely undeserved by them - Rom 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
b. Naturally, His love is called a "great" love - Eph 2:4-7
2. God the Son demonstrated agape love
a. By laying down His life for us - 1 John 3:16
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
b. There is no "greater" love - John 15:13
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
3. Truly the Father and the Son have exemplified "active good will" towards all!
4.Since the Father and the Son have shown "active good will" towards all, we should not be surprised that it is required of those who would be Jesus' disciples.
II. THE DEMAND OF LOVE
A. NECESSARY TO BE SONS OF GOD.
1. Jesus commanded His disciples to love their enemies - Matt 5: 43-44
2. In showing "active good will" to our enemies.
a. We will be like our Father in heaven - Matt 5:45
b. We will be different than those who love only their friends Matt5:46-47
c. We will be perfect (complete) in the area of love and mercy, even as our Father in heaven is perfect (merciful) - Matt 5: 58
3. Jesus expects us to follow God's example of "active good will" towards all!
B. NECESSARY COMPONENT TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
1. The atmosphere of the Christian life ("walk in love") - Eph 5:2
2. The garment of the Christian ("put on love") - Col 3:14
3. The motive of Christian service ("done with love") - I Cor 16:14
4. The glue of Christian unity ("knit together in love") - Col 2:2
5. The controller of Christian liberty ("through love serve one another") Gal 5:13
C. Every facet of our lives is to be governed by "active good will" towards all!
D. As important love is to the Christian life, we can appreciate why Paul says "the greatest of these is love" (1 Co 13:13) and "above all these things put on love" (Col 3:14). So how do we go about putting on love, or adding it to brotherly kindness?
III. THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOVE
A. LET THE FATHER TEACH YOU.
1. The Thessalonians had been taught by God - I Thes 4:9-10
2. How does the Father teach us to love?
a. By virtue of His character
1) God is love - I John 4:8
2) His grace, mercy, longsuffering and abundant goodness are indicative of His love - Ex 34:5-8
b. By virtue of His example
1) He sent His only begotten Son - I John 4:9; Rom 5:8
2) He sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins
I John 4:10
B. LET THE SON TEACH YOU.
1. "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us" I John 3:16
2. "Walk in love, as Christ also loved us..." - Eph 5:2
3. "Love one another, as I have loved you" - John 13:34
4. Consider how Jesus died for you, and you will learn the meaning of love!
C. LET THE APOSTLES TEACH YOU.
1. Paul described what love is - I Cor 13:4-8
2. Paul prayed for His brethren regarding love
a. For the Thessalonians - I Thessalonians 3:12
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
b. For the Ephesians - Eph 3:17-19
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
c. For the Philippians - Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
IV. THE DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE
A. DEMONSTRATING OUR LOVE TOWARD GOD.
1. Some may think we ought to show our love by:
a. Shouting if from the rooftop
b. Declaring it on bumper sticker ("Honk if you love Jesus!")
c. Doing whatever they think pleases God
2. Proper demonstration of love toward God means:
a. Keeping His commandments - John 14:15,21; I John 5:3
b. Loving the brethren - I John 4:20-21; 5:1
B. DEMONSTRATING OUR LOVE TOWARD MAN.
1. Begins with keeping the commandments of God ourselves - I John 5:2
2. Not limited to friends and loved ones - Matt 5:43-48
3. Helping to meet their needs - I John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
CONCLUSION:
1. As we come to the end of our study, what have we learned about "Growing In The Knowledge Of Jesus Christ"?
a. It requires effort ("giving all diligence") - II Pet 1:5,10
b. It requires an ever-increasing growth in Christ-like qualities - II Pet 1:8
1) Building on faith (faith)
2) Striving for excellence (virtue)
3) Increasing in knowledge (knowledge)
4) Controlling the self (self-control)
5) Bearing up under trials (perseverance)
6) Seeking to please God (godliness)
7) Loving the brethren (brotherly kindness)
8) With active good will towards all (love)
2. Is the effort worth it? Indeed it is, for as we grow in this knowledge.
a. The grace and peace of God is multiplied - II Pet 1:2
b. All things pertaining to life and godliness are provided - II Pet 1:3
c. We can avoid spiritual myopia and spiritual amnesia - II Pet 1:9
d. We will never stumble so as to fall - II Pet 1:10
e. We will have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom - II Pet 1:11
3. Therefore I pray that in some way our study has encouraged us to be diligent in supplying these eight attributes of Christ-like character in an ever-increasing measure to our lives, mindful of Peter's final admonition:
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." - II Pet 3:18
