The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-14

knowledge Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christi
| Peter iii, 49,
| HOME READINGS
The Kingdom of God. Mark iv, 1852
( justification by Faith. Rom. v, Ill
Way OF righteousness Prov. iv, l4-27
CHRISTIAN Progress -------------2P Peter l. IL!
| Walking in the Spirit GA. v, 1925
Cndren OF dod- -------.---.--------I John IN LII
| 1t is not certainly known when and where
Peter wrote his second epistle. His first epistle
was written ito the strangers scattered through
| out Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia Asia and
| Bithynia," and is dated from Babylon. Many
| think this name is used mystically to denote
| Rome but there is no proof that Peter was ever
at Rome, and tradition to that effect is mock
cry It is more likely that the apostle was at the
| city actually named Babylon. The, epistle
| is unquestionably canonical. It's authorship is
| not so summarily settled, many and grave OBJ
| jections being urged against assigning it to
| Peter. As in the case of Hebrews, however, the
truth it contains is so manifestly of God that we
| have no difficulty in accepting its teachings,
| though doubtful as to the exact question of
authorship. The date assigned it is A. d. SO.
| In this lesson, from the opening chapter
we have presented to us the Christian calling,
the Christian duty and the Christian reward.
l. The CHRISTIAN CALLING, V. 1-3.-Peter
| himself had peculiar ''calling"-that of bond
servant and apostle of Jesus Christ" Both OF
these phrases indicate the service to which he
was called; the first pointing to his relation 20
| Him who had called him; the second to his rela-
| ton to others in the performance of the duties
| to which he had been called The servant"
owed fidelity to his Master; the ''apostle" owed
| equal fidelity to those to whom he was sent The
| servant" was to receive commands; the
apostle" to execute commands The
calling was honorable; The yoke of
bondage was in no sense Calling. 1t brought a
precious faith to Peter-a faith which he had
| obtained as lawful heir to an inheritance.
But the Christian calling is larger than the
apostolate That was an Office, dignifed, honor
able, but temporary; the larger call is to
character, universal, abiding To this larger
that have obtained like precious faith with us. !"
| Many others shared the experience and
| fruits of a common faith with the
| apostles many others than Jews were
heirs with them of this gracious heritage, as
| Peter long before learned at Cpsarea. Acts x
| 81, 35 Gods righteousness is the basis upon
| which this common faith rests as the Savior is
the one to whom it points. To these fellow
| heirs grace and peace might abound-"be multi
| plied"-through knowing God. The better we
| are acquainted with Him the more we shall
| have of His favor and the deeper will be our
peace. He has given us all things He calls us
| to all things excellent by His own example-''by
His own glory and virtue" All this shows the
i
Christian calling.
| II. THE CHRISTIAN Duty, " 4-7-This may
be summed up in word--grow. To this
| growth two incentives are presented: l. Gods
promises. These are many, comprehensive and
| precious" and are divine calls to duty. The
| better things are just before there is always
! more to follow to which these promises in
| vite us. 2. Gods purposes. Enjoyment is not
the end of growth. Happiness is not the chief
thing in life; Dlessedness is infinitely better
This is tho purpose of all Gods promises-that
we may be melted to become like Him-"be
partakers of the divine nature escaping-fee-
ing from, from foe-our lower, corrupt
| nature of lust and passion.
What God does for us is reason why we
| should do for ourselves Salvation is CO.
operative work. We must supply diligence
| as our contribution toward building up charac-
| ter. Seven steps mark the upward progress in
| this Christian duty. Faith lays the foundation;
upon this all else is built Every added grace is
| step to higher attainment. I'm your faith
| supply virtue;" let it become of the heroic type;
land in your virtue knowledge" and thus in
succession each new attainment will lead to and
develop higher. 1t is not simple process of
| addition. but growth from within, as bud be-
| comes flower and flower fruit. The final fruit is
| lOve-God's nature IL John iv. l6)--the end of the
divine purpose in giving us the promises v. f.
III. THE CHRISTIAN REWARD, v. SILL
Growth means both happiness and blessedness
| Its rewards cover both present and future
Three phases of reward are here set forth:
| /. Frutfulness. The more we have the more we
| can give The full fountain insures the flowing
| stream. Scant graces make scant lfe but where
| they abound" their possessor will be neither
l idle unfruitful." He will be both active and
successful His knowledge of the Lord Jesus
Christ will ripen and more in holy
| activity and usefulness. On the other hand,
neglect of these graces will bring dimness of
| vision and loss OF spiritual memory. ITO him
that hath shall be given; and from him that hath
| not shall be taken away the law is universal
| 2 Stability. This law calls for ''the more dill
gence to make your calling and election sure"
Both are conditions! as to the outcome; human
effort must make certain what divine love makes
possible The possible may become actual by
| obedience IF we do these things ye shall
never stumble" Gods ways are ways of
insures usefulness here insures blessedness
hereafter. Entrance into Christ's kingdom is
sure to all who are worthy. He who has sup
piled diligence in his Masters service on earth
| will find the Master an entrance in heaven
richly supplied to him in turn. Tho toll is
| brief--the reward everlasting The conqueror
here shall be king there, and shall reign for
| ever in "the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ"
| HEART TRUTHS.
l. "Ye see your calling" 1t is of God. 1t is
| to become like Christ 1t is to the enjoyment of
precious faith 1t is toa heritage of grace and
| peace. 1t is to all things that promote life and
goodness 1t is high, noble, dignifed, honor
able calling; "called of God to be saints"
2. "Grow in grace" That is the Christian
secret of happy life. 1t is the key to useful
lfe ''Give all diligence" to developing a sym
metrical Christian character-a faithful copy of
| the divine pattern.
3. Look for reward. Good has promised it.
He holds it out as an inducement Be earnest,
faithful, devoted duty well done will bring re-
ward we'll won; Rev. ill., TO-
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