It has been said that if we are not growing we are dying. This statement rings true for every living thing. In this physical world, things have a life cycle which begins with growth and ends with decay. We cannot avoid the inevitable decline of all things in the physical realm. If this physical existence is all there is, then human beings are the most miserable of all creatures due to our ability to grasp this concept. In the animal world, creatures simply live by their instincts until they ultimately expire. They do not fret and frown about their demise because they lack the mental ability to contemplate this fact. Unfortunately, many people believe they are merely advanced animals and as a result of such thinking they live in endless sorrow.
Fortunately, we have the revelation from the Almighty to put this inevitable decline into perspective. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
As is true of the physical body, if we are not growing spiritually we are dying. With this in mind, Peter instructed his readers to constantly be supplementing their faith with what we call the Christian graces (2 Pet. 1:1-11). This is imperative if we are to receive the promises of God. Peter knew that wrong thinking about the end result of human life leads to despair and ultimately godlessness (2 Pet. 3:14-17). It is true some of the things pertaining to the end of the physical realm are difficult to understand (2 Pet. 3:16). However, they are not impossible to understand. Peter's prescription for combatting the wrongful conclusions of the scoffers who question the promise of Christ's return is to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).
If we apply this to our lives, the inevitable decline of the physical body will become less of a burden and more of a blessing. While the loss of our physical vitality is certainly not pleasant in itself, looking through the eternal lens of Scripture, it is a signal to the faithful child of God that we will soon inhabit our incorruptible bodies (1 Cor. 15:53-54). Armed with this knowledge, we begin to look for and hasten the coming of the day of God (2 Pet. 3:12). Therefore, we all must be diligent to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Fortunately, we have the revelation from the Almighty to put this inevitable decline into perspective. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
As is true of the physical body, if we are not growing spiritually we are dying. With this in mind, Peter instructed his readers to constantly be supplementing their faith with what we call the Christian graces (2 Pet. 1:1-11). This is imperative if we are to receive the promises of God. Peter knew that wrong thinking about the end result of human life leads to despair and ultimately godlessness (2 Pet. 3:14-17). It is true some of the things pertaining to the end of the physical realm are difficult to understand (2 Pet. 3:16). However, they are not impossible to understand. Peter's prescription for combatting the wrongful conclusions of the scoffers who question the promise of Christ's return is to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).
If we apply this to our lives, the inevitable decline of the physical body will become less of a burden and more of a blessing. While the loss of our physical vitality is certainly not pleasant in itself, looking through the eternal lens of Scripture, it is a signal to the faithful child of God that we will soon inhabit our incorruptible bodies (1 Cor. 15:53-54). Armed with this knowledge, we begin to look for and hasten the coming of the day of God (2 Pet. 3:12). Therefore, we all must be diligent to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.