The Believer's Duty (2 Pet 1:5-7)
Speaker: Pr Joshua Yong
Date: 14 Apr 2019

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Sermon notes taken by:

Eunice Low

In 2 Peter, the Apostle Peter warned the people about false prophets and teachers who had crept into the church. He was very concerned for the church and thus wrote this epistle to remind the people to have a proper knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. How we receive the precious promises of God will determine how we live. Evidence of our salvation must be seen in our Christian life.

1. It is an urgent duty

The phrase “give all diligence” means to exert and put in great energy into living the Christian life. Our whole life must be given to God. The word “diligence” has the idea of haste and eagerness, and the sense of passion. Thus, we are to exert with haste our zeal and passion for the things of Christ.

2. It is a directed duty

The word “add” does not mean to add on to our faith to complete our salvation. Rather, it means to accompany faith. Faith without works is dead. The Greek word for “add” is used to describe a choir leader or conductor. As the choir conductor conducts the choir, the choir takes its direction from him. Likewise, all these virtues are directed by faith. Faith is the basis of our salvation and the basis of our living.

3. It is a practical duty

(a) Virtue. It describes a person of excellent character and who is worthy of praise. A virtuous person is one who manifests moral excellence.

(b) Knowledge. This knowledge is not just knowledge of the gospel. We must continue to build ourselves up in the Word of God.

(c) Temperance. It means to be in strength and self-control. It is to yield to the Holy Spirit to control our fleshly desires and greed.

(d) Patience. It means to endure and persevere in the face of difficult circumstances.

(e) Godliness. It describes a reverence for God. It is to be aware of God in every part of our life.

(f) Brotherly kindness. It is to love one another as a family. If one suffers, everyone suffers.
(g) Charity. This is a self-sacrificial love. Are we able to love unconditionally both believers and unbelievers?

All these are practical virtues which we can exercise and practise in our lives by faith.



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