Singing the 8 notes on the Christian scale

Christians have promises and share in a common glory to come. This should make us quickly strive to add our part. It literally means, "Bringing in by the side of." It "indicates the comparative unimportance of man’s participation in his salvation by suggesting that his part is merely contributing, ‘brought in by the side of what God does’, and yet is absolutely essential, since God’s part is done only on condition that man complies with his" (Woods 2 Peter 1:5a).

The things we need to add begin with faith (Hebrews 11:6). “Supply” first meant "to found and support a chorus, to lead a choir, to keep in tune, and then, to supply or provide. As here used, the graces which adorn the Christian character are to be chorused into a grand symphony to the delight and pleasure of him who fashioned and made us for his own good pleasure" (Woods).

The second of the eight notes on the Christian scale is virtue. The word suggests one developing the courage to stand for what is right.

The third note is knowledge which grows out of the courage to stand for the right. Such will cause one to seek out the Lord’s will and practice it in daily living, thus growing more sure of the things learned (2 Peter 1:5b; Hebrews 5:12-14; Ephesians 5:15-17).

The fourth note is self-control, or as the King James has it, temperance (1 Corinthians 9:25-27; Acts 24:25; Galatians 5:23). As one grows in the knowledge of right and wrong, naturally he should try to control his fleshly appetites and direct them into the right path.

The next note up the scale is perseverance, or patient endurance of the wrong. This describes one who faithfully serves the Lord, climbing over every obstacle to reach the heavenly home.

"Godliness," the sixth note on the Christians’ scale, is the proper respect toward God, the Father of all Christians. Such will lead one to live a godlike life (2 Peter 1:6; Matthew 6:9; Mark 12:28-31; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; 6:6, 11).

Respect for God leads to love for one’s fellow man. Jesus said that was the second commandment. Here it is particularly the love we have for the brethren (1 John 4:19-5:1; Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1). This describes the love which brothers in a family have for one another.

Out of respect for God and love for the brethren grows the highest note on the Christian scale, love (agape). This love describes a setting of the mind to do that which is best for another. The object of such love does not have to be desirable or lovely (2 Peter 1:7; Romans 5:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13; Colossians 3:12-14).

Let us resolve to sing all the notes on the Christian scale. It will make us better individually and lead to the growth of the body of Christ as a whole.