CHRISTIAN MATH - MULTIPLICATION

2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

In the first few verses opening his second epistle, Peter, by inspiration, uses two math terms in order teach God's word to those to whom he was writing, as well as to us today. These texts form the basis for two lessons, the second of which follows immediately after this lesson. The first math term used by Peter is multiplication, and is found in verse two of the lesson text. Here he tells his fellow Christians, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ our Lord. "Multiply" means to increase in number, amount, extent, or degree. Adam and Eve, as well as Noah and his sons, were told to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth (Gen. 1:28 & Gen. 9:1). Multiply, as used in these references, refers to the initial procreation of mankind throughout the world.

Reference is made to grace and peace being multiplied, or increased to those to whom Peter was writing. Verse 3 tells us that all things that pertain unto life and godliness are available through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue. This knowledge is of God, and of Jesus our Lord (Vs. 2). Knowledge of God's will through His Son, Jesus Christ, is the conduit through whom all blessings of life here on earth, as well as eternal life in heaven, are made available to mankind. It was God's grace that brought salvation to all people (Titus 2:11). The grace of God was extended to all through His Son, Jesus Christ. Peter confirms this when he told the apostles, as well as the elders of the church at Jerusalem, that ...we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved (Acts 15:11). It is this grace, this unmerited gift, and this hope of salvation, that God gives us through His Son, Jesus. This grace will always be accompanied with peace - the calm, the quietness, and the serenity from within, that result from the hope of salvation. Grace and peace is not something we are given without effort. It is gained only through knowledge of God's will, our belief in it, and our obedience to it.

How does one gain this knowledge of God in order to have grace and peace multiplied to us? A study of Paul's message to the Christians at Rome answers this question. In order to be saved by God through Jesus Christ, one must believe in Him, and His plan of salvation. In order to believe, one must hear God's word. Paul sums up his message by saying that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (See Rom. 10:13-17). From this we know it is necessary to have knowledge of God's word in order to be saved. His word requires that we repent of our past sins (Acts 2:38); that we confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10, Acts 8:37); that we be baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38, 8:38); and that we live a life of obedience to the will of God (Rom. 6:16-17). By completing these primary acts of obedience, it can be said of us, as it was said by Paul to the Roman Christians, ...being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Rom. 5:1-2). To the Christian, grace and peace be multiplied through our faith in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

By faith these acts of obedience puts us in God's grace and brings us peace. The prophet Isaiah wrote of the peace that is ours through Jesus Christ. He tells us of the Son of God that will come to earth as a child, will establish a Kingdom, through which there will be a peace without end. Notice the titles Isaiah gives to the Messiah, our Savior. He says that His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The last title, The Prince of Peace, is certainly appropriate for this lesson. At His birth, notice what the angel of God said of Jesus, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:14).

Indeed, the grace of God, and the peace that accompanies it, has been made available to all men and women of the world through His Son, Jesus Christ. Accept Him as your Savior and let grace and peace be multiplied to you.