Admit it or not, we all like it when we have clear directions no matter the circumstance. You may be on your way to a family vacation or making the last-minute trip to the grocery store for forgotten items. No matter what it is, the worse felling is not being productive in the task at hand. Today's verses we see Pete giving some powerful directions about faith. Petter says the following:
“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.” (2 Peter 1:5-7)
But do you see these are not normal directions, they are building blocks! We are called to start with goodness, then add knowledge, and so on, but why? Well with these qualities we are able to be productive and effective for the sake of the Gospel! As we said above, everyone wants to be productive but sometimes, we are stuck with not knowing where to begin.
With the new year upon us, the world rushes to make substantial changes to their lives. From saving up money, to losing weight, all to stop a few weeks later or even days because they didn't have the building blocks or baby steps to get to their end goal. Let us focus on Peter’s direction of adding to our faith by being as effective and productive as possible for our Lord and Savior. I recently heard a story of Billy Graham on a school trip...Billy and his classmates were visiting John Wesley’s home, while getting ready to leave the teacher noticed a student was missing. Billy was found praying in the same spot John Wesley had worn a spot in the carpet from praying. Billy was heard praying “do it again God and use me.” That baby step of faith would go on to help lead thousands to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Now we may not be like Billy Graham, but let us give God everything we have and leave nothing on the table.
“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.” (2 Peter 1:5-7)
But do you see these are not normal directions, they are building blocks! We are called to start with goodness, then add knowledge, and so on, but why? Well with these qualities we are able to be productive and effective for the sake of the Gospel! As we said above, everyone wants to be productive but sometimes, we are stuck with not knowing where to begin.
With the new year upon us, the world rushes to make substantial changes to their lives. From saving up money, to losing weight, all to stop a few weeks later or even days because they didn't have the building blocks or baby steps to get to their end goal. Let us focus on Peter’s direction of adding to our faith by being as effective and productive as possible for our Lord and Savior. I recently heard a story of Billy Graham on a school trip...Billy and his classmates were visiting John Wesley’s home, while getting ready to leave the teacher noticed a student was missing. Billy was found praying in the same spot John Wesley had worn a spot in the carpet from praying. Billy was heard praying “do it again God and use me.” That baby step of faith would go on to help lead thousands to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Now we may not be like Billy Graham, but let us give God everything we have and leave nothing on the table.