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My dearly loved brethren…
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Spirit, who dwelleth in you. (2Tim 1:13-14) Let no man dispise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1Tim 4:12) Let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5) Do all things without murmurings and disputing: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16) (KJV) Think on these; and keep your mind renewed continually, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God in your life. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:3-8 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4. By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. 5. For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution or determination, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), 6. And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control (in knowing the truth there is self-control), and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety, commitment & obedience), 7. And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection (laying down your life), and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love (Christ formed in you). 8. For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full, personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). AMP
These are all attributes or characteristics of the divine nature which was formed, brought to maturity, within Jesus of Nazareth. He decreased by dying daily to the wants and desires of his fleshly nature (the nature of man) so that Christ (the attributes or characteristics of God) would increase and over take the old corrupt fleshly nature. Jesus Christ left us an example to follow: to put off the old man, and put on of the new man who is renewed in the knowledge of Him who created you, and to do this continually. As you do these things (put off the old, put on the new) the more you see who God is; you begin to understand His nature through experience in your own life in Christ; you begin to understand His love, His grace, and His mercy for us and how lovingly He provided us the way of fellowship with Him, and escape from this corrupt and dying world through Jesus Christ. As you do these things you will not be blind to the truth, the full personal knowledge of God and Jesus Christ who He sent; and you have His promise that you shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:9-12 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. (12) Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (KVJ) My beloved brethren, I pray that you will continue to make these qualities yours and let them increasingly abound in you, so that you are not idle or unfruitful in your walk but that you do come to a full personal knowledge of the truth that is in you. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for ‘hold fast’: NT:2722 katecho (kat-ekh'-o); from NT:2596 and NT:2192; to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively): KJV - have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold. Seize on, possess, those things which are good, and acceptable, and of the perfect will of God. An example is, the fruit of the Spirit which is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; so possess it, let it not go or slip away from you, but continue in it for in doing this you shall never fall. The Lord encourages us …. Revelation 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (KJV) Did you first prove it? Is it good? If so, then hold fast! How about to sound words? Because we are encouraged to hold fast the form (pattern) of sound (true in doctrine, uncorrupt, whole) words (something said, including the thought; utterance; reasoning or motive). Don’t deviate from the pattern of soundness in speech; that which ministers grace to the hearers. Let your words be from the throne of God, true in doctrine, uncorrupt, true in motive in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Hold to that which is good; remember, evil communications corrupt good morals or manners which translate into a pattern of soundless words that are not fit for the kingdom of God. How about the profession of faith? Without wavering? Remember, He is faithful that promised. God promised us eternal life in His Son Christ Jesus if we continue in Him. So continue in the faith grounded and settled (holding fast), and don’t be moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven. So what is the implication of not holding fast to that which we have heard and have been assured of? There is no guarantee that our name will be in the book of Life. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:1-4 - KJV) The only way of escape is to hold fast our crown of life, which is Christ in us the only hope of glory. He is the way, the truth, and the Life. Revelation 3:11-12 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. Jesus Christ proved that God is good and all that He promised. So dearly loved don’t let go, continue to prove Him unto yourself, and hold fast to that which you do know to be true; for God is true and so is His only begotten Son Christ Jesus. God bless, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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