2 Peter 1 - A Grand Entrance is Ten Times Better

Well, far be it for me to quibble about words.  But if someone greets me with, “How ya doin'?” I say, “Good, and you,”?  Most of the time (at least here in Central Virginia) you hear in response, “Good.” Or, “Great, thanks.”  But sometimes you get a perhaps snobbish-sounding reply, “Very well, thank you!”  Both are fine I contend (at least grammatically).  But they are different answers - being (good) versus functioning (well).  But how are we really doing?  And says whom, that is, by whose standard?

Our friends down US 29 have come up with a new slogan.  And I like it.  The University of Virginia is now advertising heavily as part of its new strategic plan that they are “Great and Good in all we do.”  I like it because implicit in that catchy little phrase is the highest standard of excellence with a standard of morality.  That is goodness.  But again, by whose standards are we measuring such things?

So, how are we today?  How are we doing in our families, our church communities, and our nation?  Are our young people well versed in every branch of learning, gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and suited to serve God with excellence?  Are we challenging ourselves to run the race to win and to be prepared for God's royal service?

        Honestly, I think we can all see the decline in education and morality in America.  But I do believe we are on the cusp of revival and exponential spiritual growth.

        Let’s start local, very local.  Let’s start by cleaning up the plank in our own eyes.  Do we really work hard to strive for the moral excellence that Peter is instructing us to?  Are we trained up in language and literature as Daniel and the other young men from the tribe of Judah were (Daniel 1:4-5)?  Are we raising our children with godly standards?  Are we healthy, strong, and well-nourished?

Just a thought, but maybe God is calling His church to holiness.  Maybe, just maybe God is calling us to recalibrate and focus on what He values and His standards.

Let’s be honest.  We train our kids in North America for 12 or so years then for another four or so in college.  And what are we getting for results?  In the Book of Daniel, we hear that the King’s training program was for three years - then the men were ready for service in the King’s administration (Daniel 1:5).

I suggest we in the modern church underestimate the great variety of God’s spiritual gifts and God the Father’s generosity.  He gives freely and expects great results.

        Yes of course we know of a few gifts.  The gift of speaking well and the gift of helping people (1 Peter 4:10-11).  But God can give His people so much more than we can imagine.  He shows us how he gave people in the past unusual aptitude for every aspect of literature and wisdom (Daniel 1:17).  And God gives very unique gifts.  Look at how He gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.  Let’s consider asking great and good things of God today.

I suppose I’m just preaching to myself, but I think it a worthwhile examination for any follower of Christ to consider how prepared we are to enter Christ’s service.  My wife’s been involved in the homeschooling realm for about 15 years now.  A lot of home-schooling families think deeply about how to train their kids.  My daughter and son-in-law are going through analysis now as they educate their four boys.  My suggestion, challenge if you will, is that we set our standards higher.

In Daniel, we read that the men of God were ten times more capable than any of the administration (Daniel 1:20).  Ten times better!  God is not afraid of statistics.  He’s not afraid of His church being compared to the world.  Indeed He designed His church to show his marvelous power and eternal creativity and goodness.  What about us?  Are we prepared to stand up our record to that of the world?  Are we, like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ten times more capable than those without the Spirit of Christ.  Are our Christian organizations ‘Great and Good’ in all we do?  Do we even try to be?

        Today’s the day to take Peter’s challenge seriously.  It is time to respond to God’s promises in every aspect of our life.  God is involved in every aspect of our lives.  God is capable.  And Good.  He, as Peter stresses, expects us to respond and to work hard.  But don’t forget that God is also orchestrating, arranging, and preparing opportunities for us to use our God-given capabilities to glorify the Fath through the Son.

God opens doors so to speak.  God can include people to respect us and have affection for us (Again, see Daniel 1).  And we, responding by intelligence and absolute fidelity to Jesus Christ will reap a godly harvest, sown with unwavering trust in God.

Let’s ask God for special ability today.  You know your own capabilities.  But ask for a special ability from the Holy Spirit that will leverage all your other capabilities to produce more for God.  Ten times more.  Holiness.  Insight.  Courage (like Peter).  Interpreting Scriputre.  Healing.  Creating good things (from farming to manufacturing).  Uniting people.  Settling disputes.  Writing clearly.  Solving difficult problems.  Defending people.  Selling good products.  Increasing production (like young Jacob). Encouraging people (like Barnabas).  Bringing God’s peace and joy to the elderly.  

Ask God for a special ability today (Daniel 1:17).  And may we grow as we make every effort to respond to God’s promises.

        God says this, “So, dear brothers, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen.  Do these things, and you will never fall away.  Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:10-11).  God's way is ten times better.  Amen

The Gates of Hell, Rodin Museum, Philadelphia, PA.