When I get ready to spend my quiet time and prayer in the morning I always seem to gravitate toward the book of James and 1st and 2nd Peter. I have read both books often but there is always something that I read that I hadn’t fully grasped before. Both books bring me peace and I always feel challenged and find strength after I read them.
This past week was no different. 2 Peter 1:5-8 is entitled Growing in Faith. I always thought that I fully grasped the idea of growing in faith. Afterall we are always to be growing. Constantly changing and getting better. As I read the words in the verses these things jumped out at me. Listen to this list: supplement faith with knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection and love for everyone. The more you grow in these the more useful and productive you will be in your knowledge of Jesus.
Then take it a step farther. The more you will know Jesus. The last part of the passage says that if you fail to develop these traits then you are blind and short sided and you have forgotten that you have been cleansed from your sins.
WOW! What a goal we have been given. You can’t just say that you have faith, and that faith won’t grow unless you supplement it with these descriptors.
Quite a list. I challenge you to start working on the list given in 1 Peter.
I plan on trying. Together let’s vow to make a difference in someone else’s life.
