SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness…” (2 Peter 1:5)
Through Jesus, we participate in the divine nature (the Holy Spirit) (v.4).
Through the Spirit, we have everything we need to live godly lives (v.3).
“For this reason…” grow your faith into lives overflowing with goodness, etc.
This is our part in the relationship; if we don’t do this our faith becomes ineffective.
Unproductive, that is, producing no fruit, therefore fruitless.
And we know what Jesus said about fruitless branches (John 15:1-8).
Too many Christians acts as if forgiveness was all that grace was all about.
Grace is not only about being forgiven, but it is also grace to change, grace to obey.
Peter’s list of character traits to improve is a sampler, other character traits could be added.
Notice how Peter lists them one at a time; in other words, work at it with Him step by step.
What growth area do you sense in your life: patience, generosity, devotion, surrender?
Then don’t just sit there, take advantage of His divine power in you, ready to go to work.
“Make every effort…”, put some muscle into it, be disciplined about it.
“For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10-11)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, as long as I do not make an effort, I will not see the results. I have everything I need to succeed, except the willpower. Please light the fire in my heart to melt the lead in my feet!
Observations/Application
Life in Christ Jesus. He has given us all that we need so that we can be like Him – to do good. To do good for the Lord using the gifts received for His purpose – to serve Him. Called to serve Him. And He will enable. Remember and believe.
Listen to Him.
Encourage one another.
Share the Good news for we have heard His voice.
Let your light shine.
And grow in that light.
He has made you/me an instrument of His peace.
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.