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Theme: God Does Not Forsake His People
Text: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; …For so and entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. – 2 Peter 1:5, 11.
Comment: In enumerating component parts of the complete Christian armour, St. Paul included the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. (Ephesians 6:17. See also Hebrews 4:12) It is this same transforming effect and indicting power of God’s statutes that propelled Zacchaeus’ declaration, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” (Luke 19:8) Similarly, having expounded the judgement of God to the assembly on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Scriptures reported, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) From these, we learn that spiritual education helps illuminate our path, indicting us where we have erred, excusing us where we have done well, and inspiring us to continue in the faith. On the other hand, St. Peter writes that anyone who lacks knowledge (and a host of sundry virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7) is blind, lacks foresight, and hath forgotten he was purged from his old sins. – 2 Peter 1:9.
Seeing the sincerity behind Zacchaeus’ remorse, our Lord and Master responded: “This day is salvation come to this house…” Luke 19:9.