2 Peter 1:3-8
Here we are already halfway through the first month of the new year. If you set a few goals or resolved to change any behaviors, how are you doing with that? Perhaps you resolved to exercise more, pay down debts, read your Bible more, lose weight, cut down your screen time, quit cussing, learn something new, stop smoking, read more, or spend more time with family. Growth. I think we all desire to grow. Growing as a Christian is the primary focus in today’s scripture passage. Peter makes a bold statement that we need to apply to our lives immediately. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-8
Goodness, knowledge, self-control, godliness, endurance, mutual family affection and love aren’t just healthy additions; they are vital additions which go deeper than personal enrichment or a psychological boost. These are the prominent areas that we as Christ-followers need to add to the totality of our lives each day and spend strategic time growing in. We were created to grow so let’s not dismiss this. Let’s not wait for the next New Year to roll around to employ these virtues. Let’s not lose another second in building on what we’ve been given. Peter is saying, never stop growing, never stop pressing in, and learning. Pastor John Scally wisely shared with us, “There is NO EXAMPLE in God’s Word of a disciple of Jesus not growing! In fact, the Apostle Paul made it clear that spiritual growth is the fruit of saving faith.” Church, it’s time to get growing and live fruitfully.
Goodness, knowledge, self-control, godliness, endurance, mutual family affection and love aren’t just healthy additions; they are vital additions which go deeper than personal enrichment or a psychological boost. These are the prominent areas that we as Christ-followers need to add to the totality of our lives each day and spend strategic time growing in. We were created to grow so let’s not dismiss this. Let’s not wait for the next New Year to roll around to employ these virtues. Let’s not lose another second in building on what we’ve been given. Peter is saying, never stop growing, never stop pressing in, and learning. Pastor John Scally wisely shared with us, “There is NO EXAMPLE in God’s Word of a disciple of Jesus not growing! In fact, the Apostle Paul made it clear that spiritual growth is the fruit of saving faith.” Church, it’s time to get growing and live fruitfully.
Posted in Devotional