What is that divine power whereby I can escape the corruption that is in this world through lust? It is precious Faith that gives us a divine nature. Where or from Whom can Faith be obtained? Through God our Father and in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why is it necessary to obtain this Faith? Faith in Christ is necessary in order to escape the penalty of judgment for corruption and lust and to become saved from sin. I need power to live a life of glory and virtue. When can I become saved and so receive this power to live a life of glory and virtue? Now, this moment is for you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. "Behold, now is the accepted time" (2 Corinthians 6:2). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). Receive it, lay hold by faith on the promise of God.

This beautiful life is described in 2 Peter 1:1-8. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is beginning the life of godliness, faith being the foundation or firm conviction on which to build. It is like a flower whose bud grows, opens up, develops into a flower of seven petals (complete number) comprised of beautiful virtues which only need to be practiced to be made real. As the bud develops, each petal of virtue is of equal importance to the others, the petals growing together to form a beautiful esthetic creation, the handiwork of God by His Spirit. Such is the development of the Christian character; by practice each virtue unfolds through faith to its full development.

It requires all diligence to produce in our faith virtue or soldier courage to face a world hostile to godliness; in virtue knowledge; in knowledge self-control (temperance); in self-control endurance (patience); in endurance godliness; in godliness brotherly love; in brotherly love, love.

All these characters or virtues are the exercise of faith, for without faith there is no growth. Doing these things the Scripture says we will never fall. The end result will be growth and fruitfulness, if we remember to do them, to diligently stir ourselves up. There will then be the development of the life of faith, successful growing into the likeness of Christ. Isn't that a guarantee of success for the Christian life if it is Christ Himself living within us and we yielding to Him?

Abraham is an example of this. He was known as the friend of God (2 Chronicles 20:7), a very high honor, the only one so named in Scripture as being a friend of God. The friend of God is a title given to Abraham because of his close relationship with God, and his faith.

"The Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God" (James 2:23). The New Testament Scripture records this again, regarding Abraham believing God (Romans 4:3). And he is again called, "Abraham My friend" in Isaiah 41:8. We are to walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham (Romans 4:12).

—L.M.R.