PRINCIPLES OF SALVATION

Principles of Salvation
(2 Pet. 1:3-21)
 

          Growing in grace is accomplished through the medium of growing in knowledge, and growth in grace is in proportion to the growth in knowledge. However, it must ever be remembered that in the opening invocation the writer expresses clearly and fully the thought, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord" (vs. 2). This means that growth in grace depends upon growth in positive knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Posi­tive knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ provides food for the soul. And the best Teacher according to John 13:13 is none other than the Lord. His half-brother Jude names Him the Despot. He that has the sole right to teach and He sends His helper to internalize His truth. None other than the Comforter. (John 14:26)

          Prohibitions and negatives may serve in some respects as preservatives and protections, but positive information about God alone will provide food for growth and progress. Government agents schooled to detect counterfeit money are never supplied with counterfeit, but they are carefully schooled in good money and thus are amply prepared to cope with any sort of counterfeit that may be produced. This is likewise true of the children of God. For growth and development they need positive information first, and this may then be followed with the negative. Such is the manner in which Peter treats his theme, dealing first with fruit and faith.