Lesson 89
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The St. Paul School, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Walter and Cecilia Contreras)
GOD'S LADDER TO A HIGHER SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
Study 2 Peter chapter one closely (his last two chapters also). When a great man of God is about to die, his final instructions can be priceless. And so it is with Peter. In his first epistle, he introduced himself as "an apostle" to babes in Christ (1 Peter 2:2).
Time flies, and now a more mature Peter introduces himself first as "a servant" and then an apostle as he sends another letter-this one urging babes in Christ to mature into faithful saints and soldiers.
That's when he offers us God's ladder to spiritual growth and deeper, real experiences with the Son of God. We have, Peter writes, been given "great and precious promises" and a Savior who now lives within us and sets us free from every lust that eats like cancer in those without Christ (verses 3 and 4).
But we are to play our part. God gives us faith to believe-and that faith becomes our solid base or foundation. Now we are to climb the ladder-one step at a time (it's all contained in only three verses, 7-9). But it's loaded with meaning and possibility.
First, "add to your faith virtue"-purity, character that becomes more and more like Jesus. Then add to virtue "knowledge"-daily searching the scripture in order to know God's will and plan for your life. Next we add another step in the ladder called "temperance" or self-control. We learn to say "Yes" to what God loves and "No" to what He hates.
One more step up the ladder takes us to "patience"-where we learn to walk with Jesus moment by moment and endure tests, trials, tears and temptations without getting discouraged and giving up. Then we add to patience "godliness"-a deep cry for "God-like-ness"-where we see such a holy and perfect God more clearly and submit our thoughts, words and actions to Him for a deeper sanctifying and separation from the filth of the world.
Now, way up the ladder comes "brotherly kindness". It is often easier to love the "lost" then the "saved". But when we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit's gift of kindness and gentleness, we will love our brothers and sisters, not provoke them or gossip about them. We will live to serve them, rather than wait for them to serve us.
Finally comes the step in our spiritual ladder that leads to a greater awareness of God's incredible presence. From brotherly kindness, we now climb to the top step, agape love. This love is so powerful, so unconditional, that it is the very essence of the Father's description of Himself-"God is love". With this love manifested in all our relationships with God and others, we are more than conquerors. Without it we remain babes at best and defeated at worst.
Peter, who is soon to die (see verses 13-15), assures us that if we climb this ladder of God's priorities we will live fruitful lives and receive an abundant entrance into heaven. How does your life line up with this ladder? Now is the time to take inventory and dedicate yourself to the climb. Nothing is more important.