Spiritual Arithmetic

~ Correct Math Gives Valid Results ~

Addition   ~  The Christian is to increase [add] good character qualities to his life. “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).  Important Note: We can do this consistently only through the power of the Spirit of God.

Subtraction  ~  The Christian is to decrease [subtract] bad character qualities from his lifestyle. “Therefore, subtract from your life of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1-3). Important Note: We can do this consistently only through the power of the Spirit of God.

Multiplication  ~  The Christian needs to be aware of the increasing number of [multiplying] “angels of light” masquerading as the truth. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Peter 2:1-3). Important Note: We can only be consistently aware of spiritual realities through the power of the Spirit of God.

Division  ~  The Christian is to have compassion for all sinners, but to hate sin just as God hates sin. “What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.’ ‘Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord [divide yourselves from evil]. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you’”  (2 Corinthians 6:15b-17). Important Note: We can do this consistently only through the power of the Spirit of God.

Result  ~  The result of these basic arithmetic functions will be a lifestyle which pleases God our Creator. “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:8-9). Important Note: We can achieve this consistently only through the power of the Spirit of God.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW