[Biblemat] How Is Unity Possible - Number 6

[GLClair at aol.com]

HOW IS UNITY POSSIBLE? – Number 6 
God’s will is  the standard for religious unity as we have previously 
examined [i.e. Number 4].  This proposition is one of the difficult mountains that 
must be dealt with for  the unity seeker. Let me illustrate the point as 
follows;  
TEXT OF 2 Peter 1:1-7 --- “1 Simon Peter,  a servant and apostle of Jesus 
Christ, to them that have obtained a like  precious faith with us in the 
righteousness of our God and (the) Saviour Jesus  Christ: 
2 Grace to you and peace  be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus 
our  Lord; 
3 seeing that his divine  power hath granted unto us all things that pertain 
unto life and godliness,  through the knowledge of him that called us by his 
own glory and virtue  ; 
4 whereby he hath granted  unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; 
that through these ye may  become partakers of the divine nature, having 
escaped from the corruption that  is in the world by lust. 
5 Yea, and for this very  cause adding on your part all diligence, in your 
faith supply virtue; and in  (your) virtue knowledge; 
6 and in (your) knowledge  self-control; and in (your) self-control patience; 
and in (your) patience  godliness; 
7 and in (your) godliness  brotherly kindness; and in (your) brotherly 
kindness love.”  ASV 
Here in 2 Peter 1:1-7 we find that there are seven points that are put forth 
as grounds for  acceptable growth by the newly converted Christian.  Since 
this is revealed to man via  revelation from God we must incorporate these seven 
qualities into our life as a  Christian or we have failed to grow as required 
by God. If we fail to grow we  find in the same context cf.  2 Peter 1:9, “9  
For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having  
forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.” ASV   
CONSIDER  THIS: 
If these seven qualities are added to the Christian’s life he/she will be  
acceptable to God in this specific area – NOTE:  2  Peter 1:10-11, “10 
Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make  your calling and election sure: 
for if ye do these things, ye shall never  stumble: 11 for thus shall be 
richly supplied unto you the entrance into the  eternal kingdom of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ.”  ASV 
Further in this specific area of study we find that to possess these  
qualities makes us unified with all other Christians who are doing the same ---  they 
will be in fellowship with all other Christians who are doing the same and  
are possessed of these qualities. This is but one point in our ongoing study of 
 “HOW IS UNITY  POSSIBLE?” 

_glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com)  
considermagazine.com



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