Kent Bailey
The graces that are to be developed within the lives of Christians are important components crucial to our faithfulness to Christ. While certainly all of these attributes are important, let us be mindful that we need to be diligent in applying the necessary efforts in the development of such within our lives.
The phrase giving diligence is a most interesting expression in the New
Testament. It indicates a divine responsibility incumbent to the human side of the equation of redemption. Without the work of God and His sending Christ along with the giving of His inspired word to create faith (Rom.10:17), it would be impossible for accountable humanity to be redeemed. However, because God has given us the means through Christ and the plenary verbally inspired word, we have the responsibility of walking in faith accompanied by obedience with the obedience that grows out of such (Rom. 1:5; 16:26).
As we note the term giving in 2 Peter 3:5, such is translated from pareisenegkantes, which is an aorist participle with the force of an imperative in the active voice. We thus must conclude that Christians are the ones to accomplish something as indicated by the active voice. This is underscored by the force of an imperative. Christians are not passive in their redemption. Having received remission of past alien sins, Christians are participants in the fellowship that is located in Christ and must be active in spiritual growth. As we further note the definition of the term giving, J. H. Thayer, in his lexicon, defines it, “to contribute besides to something” (p. 487). God’s contribution to our redemption is fundamental and enabling because without His grace, there would be no redemption from sin.
There is also of necessity a response to be made by humanity to activate the grace of God. In consideration of Galatians 5:6 as well as James 2:19-26 in addition to Hebrews 11, it is the case that the grace of God enables diligence or efforts in humanity. We are to bring into this relationship alongside of what God has accomplished for humanity. Such is absolutely essential in that it is brought into, or by the side of, God’s part. We must understand that God’s part in our redemption is accomplished only on the condition that we comply with His part.
Christians are, therefore, to give all diligence to add the graces provided by God to our lives in view of the great and precious promises enabling us to spiritually develop all of the qualities that we need to remain faithful in the fellowship of Christ and grow as Christians in the truth of God. Arndt and Gingrich translates the term add (epichoregesate) an aorist active imperative verb as to “furnish or provide at one (at one’s own expense)” (p.305).
To be faithful to the Lord, there are numerous graces or qualities that we are to add to our faith. The subject for our consideration in this article deals with the concept of temperance, as specified in 2 Peter 1:6.
Temperance is the translation of the term enkrateia and is used only three times in the New Testament (Acts 24:25; Gal. 5:23; 2 Pet. 1:6). It is defined by Thayer as “self control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites)” (pp. 166-167). This self control must be applied in conjunction with knowledge because the act of knowing is not sufficient to attain having these qualities in one’s life, though such is essential.
Those who are trained professionals will discover that competence in fields of labor involves more than theoretical learning. Indeed, learning the aspects of the professions under consideration is necessary, but until one develops the capacity to discipline both the mental and physical powers enabling the individual to make a proper application to the knowledge acquired, one will never truly be successful
in the aims and goals of their life. In Acts 24:25, Felix trembled when Paul reasoned with him regarding righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. Righteousness and attempting to become God-like in characteristics are contingent upon self-control. The aspect of self-control here is acquiring through the exercise of discernment, which is dependent upon one’s free will. A proper discernment in life will be brought about by our knowledge of the scriptures and a consistent application to those principles of truth. When through diligent study of the word of God and by making a proper application of such to one’s life, one will develop the ability to distinguish right and wrong, sin and righteousness.
Usage of the terms temperance and/or self–control will assist us to understand the concept in a more detailed way:
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“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come…” (Acts 24:25). Paul was attempting to persuade Felix to control his base passions.
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“And every man that striveth for mastery is temperate in all things.” (1 Cor. 9:25). Emphasis here is given to refraining from all elements in life that would hinder that of training and winning.
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Temperance, by the inspiration of the word of God, gives emphasis to such as being part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:23).
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In noting the qualifications for men that must be developed in their own personal lives in order to become elders in local autonomous independent New Testament churches, the concept of temperance is crucial (Titus 1:8).
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Mature aged men are to be temperate (Titus 2:2).
Consider Biblical examples of those who lacked proper temperance:
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Eve took note of the forbidden fruit and consumed it (Gen. 3:6).
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Achan saw silver and gold and took them (Josh. 7:21).
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David saw beautiful Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop and lusted (2 Sam. 11:1-4).
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The Gentiles described by Paul had, by their own choice, lost all self-control (Rom. 1:18-32).
Consider Biblical examples of those who developed proper temperance:
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Joseph refused to commit adultery with the wife of Potiphar (Gen. 39:7-9).
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Daniel refused the King’s unauthorized food (Dan. 1:8).
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The contestants in the games of Paul’s day were temperate (1 Cor. 9:25).
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Paul practiced self-control with the realization that even though he was an inspired apostle of Christ, if he failed to be temperate, he could become unfaithful and be lost in eternity (1 Cor. 9:27).
All Christians need to learn how to properly apply the scriptures in our lives and develop temperance and/or self control:
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We must practice such in things that are good and are authorized for usage in our own personal lives.
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We must practice total abstinence in that which is either forbidden or else unauthorized, i.e., things that are sinful.
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We must learn to practice temperance and/or self control with reference to our temperament (Prov. 14:29; 16:32).
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We must learn to control our tongue (Prov. 5:11; Jas. 1:26; 3:1-2).
As we study the scriptures in general and consider the truth recorded in 2 Peter 1:4-11 in particular, there are numerous reasons why we all need to learn to practice the New Testament concept of self control:
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We need to accomplish such for our own spiritual protection (Prov. 25:28).
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We need to accomplish such for the good of others (2 Cor. 8:9; Philp. 2:5-8; 1 Cor. 8:13; 9:19-23).
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We need to practice such to obtain an uncorruptible crown (1 Cor. 9:25).
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Not to become a spiritual castaway (1 Cor. 9:27).
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That we may bear proper spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
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That we may receive an abundant entrance into eternal glory (2 Pet. 1:11).
Salvation is truly the greatest blessing that one may receive. However, upon our obedience to the Gospel of Christ, God did not save us to exclusively enjoy the remission of past alien sins (Acts 2:38). Upon our walking in the light of the truth of God, we are not provided conditional cleansing from sin as a Christian exclusively to simply be forgiven. We enjoy such blessings to become the very best and the most faithful Christians that we possible can be.
May we be encouraged to learn the proper application of the graces set forth in 1 Peter 1:4-11.
