130 Faithfulness

Faithfulness THIRD YEAR—SUBJECT 23

Faithfulness (READ 2 Peter 1)

Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kind¬ness and charity. We have examined Scriptural obedience, and have learned what a man must do to become a Christian. To become a Christian and to become a member of the church of Christ had the same meaning in the days of the apostles. To become a Christian, and to become a member of the church, express the same idea, just like it does to say a man becomes a married man when he becomes a husband.

Becoming a Christian is only entering upon a new relationship, and a man’s future destiny is to be determined by how he lives after becoming a child of God. Christ said to the Jews, ."If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32. Then this truth God has ordained I shall continue in requires me to add to my faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and thus continue to add until I reach the end of the mentioned graces. Then comes a promise of a abundant entrance into the eternal home of God.

QUESTIONS 1. What must I add to my faith?

2. What is virtue?

3. What must be added to virtue?

4. What kind of knowledge?

5. What must I add to knowledge?

6. In what must I be temperate?

7. What must I add to temperance?

8. What to patience? To godliness? To brotherly kindness? To charity?

9. If I do not do so what will be the result?

10. If I add these things what does God promise to do?