Um, how come I never read this verse until now?
For those who may think that the Orthodox understanding of salvation is works-righteousness, I just say it’s biblical.
I’ve put in bold the parts that are particularly unique to the Orthodox understanding.
Bam. Right here. Straight from 2 Peter 1:3-11, KJV
3 According as his divine power hath given until us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
6 and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness;
7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they made you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledgeof our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore, the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Norm says
I also noticed the the very 1st part of v. 4 says “Whereby ARE GIVEN UNTO US . . . ”
I’ve no argument with good works, only concern that such “measurables” should preoccupy us to the point of dulling our heartfelt grattitude to our gracious God and subtlely move our focus from Him to ourselves. Personally, every time I try to “do something for God”, I slowly sow the seeds of my failure. The only times I have success are when I surrender and count on Him for strength and self-discipline. There is no outward difference in what I am doing, but the processes soon become quite different in my mind and finally in their outcomes.
Kelly says
I think that’s well said, Papa Cone. That’s why verse 4 holds so much hope– our failure can be married to His divine nature, making us into a “new creation”. Our job is to be like the Publican, casting our eyes down the ground in humble repentance, opening ourselves to the promise that we are continually being forgiven!