“SUPPLEMENT YOUR FAITH” (Part Four)

Bob Myhan

n order to be "partakers of the divine nature," we must “make every effort to supplement…knowledge with self-control” (ESV). The Greek word for “self-control” means "strength" and refers to the mastery over self. It is not merely controlling self, but controlling self as directed by the word of God. It involves both moderation and abstinence, but also involves much more. "The various powers bestowed by God upon man are capable of abuse; the right use demands the controlling power of the will" (Vine's, p. 1137). The demands of righteousness require self-control (Acts 24:25). Knowledge is logically prior to self-control because "the right use" of "the various powers bestowed by God upon man" depends upon our ability "to distinguish good from evil" (Heb. 5:11-14).

t is possible, however, for this "controlling power" to be impaired or usurped by emotions—anger, fear, hatred, shame, grief, loneliness, worry; social pressure from family and/or peers; habit-forming drugs—tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals; desires for food, sexual intimacy, money, employment, job and/or political advancement; bad habits involving the tongue—lying, cursing, offending and gossiping. If we are to maintain self-control, therefore, we must strengthen the "power of the will," This is done by sheer determination, by the force of the will, by "giving all diligence" (2 Peter 1:5, NKJV). Each athletic contestant knows that only one person can win each event (1 Cor. 9:24-27). When Paul writes, "So run, that ye may obtain it," he seems to be implying that we ought to live our lives as if only one person were going to make it to heaven. Wouldn't this result in a great deal more diligence on the part of every person?

he struggle for temperance—and it is a struggle—is a struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. The fleshly desires cry out for fulfillment; the Spirit tells us how they may legitimately be fulfilled (Gal. 5:16-23). The law in our members tells us to do what the law of God tells us not to do (Rom. 7:7-24).

ictory, therefore, is in Jesus, and in Him alone. We will never master our desires without surrendering to Him by doing His will (Rom. 7:25; 8:1-4). He lives in me if and only if I am living "by the faith of the Son of God" (Gal. 2:20, KJV; cf. Jude 3).

emperance—or the lack thereof—is manifested in a number of ways. Are we, for example, keeping our emotions and drives in check (Eph. 4:26; James 1:19,20; Matt. 5:27,28)? Are we putting God first in our lives—even ahead of family and friends (Matt. 10:28,32-39)? Are we keeping the use of even legitimate drugs to a minimum (1 Tim. 5:23)? Are we consciously replacing bad, harmful habits with good and productive ones (1 Cor. 16:15)? Are we careful to fulfill our desires within the parameters of God's will (1 John 2:15-17; Heb. 13:4; 1 Peter 2:2)?

o we love people and use money, rather than vice versa (1 Tim. 6:10,17-19)? Do we keep a bridle on our tongues (James 1:26)? How well we do this is the acid test of self-control [an acid test is a thorough test to find out the real quality of some person or thing]. "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2).

ou cannot hope to "glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19,20) without exercising self-control.  Who or what controls you?

GETTING TO KNOW THE BIBLE

Bob Myhan

he most common excuse for not studying the Bible seems to be “I just cannot understand it!” The truth is that while it is certainly a challenge we nevertheless can and must understand it!

irst, the Bible says that we can understand it. “Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6); “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God“ (John 7:16,17); “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32); “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” Eph. 5:17); “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7).

econd, we are exhorted to study the word of God. “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men” (Acts 17:11, 12); “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:1,2); “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it” (Rev. 1:3).

hird, we will be judged by the word of God in the last day. “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (John 12:48); “…on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 2:16); “…in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thess. 1:8).

ourth, God gave the Bible to show us how to be saved. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16); “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30, 31); “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21); “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation” (1 Peter 2:1,2).

ifth, God wants all people to be saved. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11); “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9); “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4).

ixth, God has revealed his will in the way that will best facilitate our understanding of it. He told the serpent, in the hearing of Adam and Eve, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). If the Son of God had come into the world at this particular time, there is no way that anyone could ever have appreciated the love of God. So God introduced the idea of sacrificial religion, and advanced it periodically [Patriarchal, Mosaic, Christian] until the sacrifice of his Son—as the ultimate demonstration of his love—could be appreciated and reciprocated by the objects thereof. Don’t you want to appreciate it and reciprocate it?