李業基牧師 8/31/2025 彼得後書 1:5-8

天行健，君子以自強不息。地勢坤，君子以厚德載物。

不息

• 你們要分外地殷勤: 努力工作與神的恩典並不矛盾。努力工作是對神恩典的適當回應。
• 江山易改，品性難移? 屬靈的美德是屬靈新生命靈這個禮物的一個部分。但既然是禮物就當然是可以改變的。你可以向神祈求多一點。

自強

• 自強不一定是自我中心，也不一定是自私。
• 如果你努力讀書是為了學識做一個正人君子有專業知識造福人群，就不能說是自我中心。
• 你所沒有的你無法送給別人。外強中乾就很容易會一定會耗盡破產。
• 要有均衡的發展。彼得列出了所有基督徒在屬靈生活中都應該培養的 8 種品行：信心，德行，知識，節制，忍耐，虔敬，愛弟兄的心，愛眾人的心。
  • 沒有行為的信心是死的。
  • 好的知識讓您有能力分辨什麼是對，什麼是錯。不會好心做壞事。要得到好的知識需要一個人努力去了解真理。
  • 讀書因為知識是自制的基礎。
  • 自制是忍耐的基礎。能夠抵擋試探，面臨攻擊的時候，就可以忍耐。
  • 忍耐是愛的的先決條件。
• 建立屬靈品行的3個理由:
  • 你努力建立屬靈的品行，你就會結出屬靈的果子，事奉的工就會有效。
  • 你努力建立屬靈的品行，能夠確認你作為神兒女的地位。
  • 你努力建立屬靈的品行，那麼你就不會跌倒。

君子

• 自強不息都是識別君子的特徵。
• 不息追求自己靈命增強是識別信徒的特徵。

天行

• 天行健，神的工作沒有停。
• 厚德是當我們神運行在我們心裡。所謂天行。讓我們重生成為神的兒女時，在我們裡面所創造的新心。

討論

1. 解釋你用來給自己更多毅力的實用策略。什麼時候有幫助？什麼時候它沒有那麼有幫助？
2. 找一種你認為需要改進的屬靈質素。你打算如何改進？
3. 為什麼基督徒不斷檢查自己是否得救很重要？
4. 我們如何依靠神的運行來建立我們的屬靈質素？

Ceaseless Self-Improvement, Deeply Virtuous Commitment

Pastor Gideon Lee 8/31/2025 2 Peter 1:5-8

Heaven’s movement is strong; the nobleman strives ceaselessly to perfect himself”

Earth’s position is receptive; the nobleman bears all things with his profound virtue.”

Unceasing

• Be exceedingly diligent: Hard work does not contradict God’s grace. Hard work is the proper response to God’s grace.
• Old habits die hard? Spiritual virtues are part of the gift of the new spiritual life. But since it is a gift, it can certainly be changed. You can ask God for more.

Self-improvement

• Self-improvement is not necessarily self-centered or selfish.
• If you study hard to gain knowledge, become an upright person, and acquire professional skills to benefit others, it cannot be called self-centered.
• You cannot give what you do not possess. Appearing strong on the outside while being weak within will inevitably lead to exhaustion and collapse.
• Seek balanced growth. Peter lists eight virtues all Christians should cultivate in their spiritual lives: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love for all people.
  • Faith without deeds is dead.
  • Sound knowledge empowers you to discern right from wrong, preventing well-intentioned mistakes. Acquiring sound knowledge requires diligent pursuit of truth.
  • Study diligently, for knowledge is the foundation of self-control.
  • Self-control is the foundation of endurance. Resisting temptation and facing attacks builds endurance.
  • Patience is the prerequisite for love.
• Three reasons to build spiritual character:
  • Striving to build spiritual character enables you to bear spiritual fruit, making your ministry effective.
  • Striving to build spiritual character confirms your status as a child of God.
  • Striving to build spiritual character prevents you from stumbling.

The Noble Person

• Relentless self-improvement is a hallmark of the noble person.
• The ceaseless pursuit of spiritual growth is a hallmark of the believer.

Heavenly Movement

• Heaven moves with vigor; God’s work never ceases.
• Deep virtue arises when God works within our hearts. This is the so-called “Way of Heaven.” When we are reborn as God’s children, a new heart is created within us.

Discussion

1. Explain a practical strategy you have used to give yourself more perseverance. When has it been helpful? When has it been less helpful?
2. Find a spiritual quality that you believe you need to improve. How do you plan to improve?
3. Why is it important for Christians to check continuously whether they are saved?
4. How do we rely on God’s movement in building our spiritual quality?