No One Holier Than Anyone Else
One devious way they push this is by setting up the straw man that you should not put any man up on a pedestal. Then they can knock that straw man over easily. But in the process they are convincing people to also consider everyone on the same level in their walk with the LORD. They are also implicitly teaching Christians not to respect leaders and that they do not have to obey them in Christ. It is false and one of the causes for the state of the Church today
Peter makes a list for us. We are to add each one in this list to the other in increasing measure. The results are two-fold. We will never stumble if we are doing this. We will receive a rich welcome into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The assurance of our salvation depends on this distinction between those who have achieved more than us and those who have not, that we should continue on in achieving more in this way with this list of character qualities.
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1.3-11
- faith
- virtue
- knowledge
- temperance
- patience
- godliness
- brotherly kindness
- charity
These are the character qualities that must be increasing in you.
From The Rooted Word Precise English Edition
- the persuasion
- the manly valor
- the knowledge
- the vigor (self-control)
- the staying humbly through to the other side
- the true reverence
- the brotherly fondness
- the charity of godly love
in progress…