2 Peter - Know the Truth

Tuesday, October 12

2 Peter—Know the Truth

Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 1:5-11

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; brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, 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. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My sweet daughter in-law (who is pregnant with our first grandchild) shares the baby’s growth in her “tummy” with me weekly. Thanks to an app, she is able to equate the growth/size of the baby developing inside of her to a fruit, veggie or some type of food. The baby started out the size of a blueberry and is now a banana. It is exciting to pray over and watch babies physically grow week by week. Well, today our message from Peter focuses on our SPIRITUAL growth and how growing faithful believers will have a rich welcome awaiting them in heaven. Keep in mind that unlike physical growth, spiritual growth is not automatic; it actually takes effort on our part!

In 2 Peter we learn of the seven qualities of the godly life for us to develop and grow; they are goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. In the book, “Be Alert”, Warren Wiersbe explains that our faith produces these qualities as branches on a trunk relating to another rather than beads on a string, adding one after the other.

We can’t simply, let go and let God do all the work in our spiritual growth. God gives us what we need; we must apply ourselves and be diligent with his grace that he provides. We must cultivate the qualities of a godly life so we become fruitful (effective and productive). Take time today to reflect on your own spiritual growth and which qualities you may need to spend time cultivating. Perseverance stands out to me. Trials are never fun to go through, but I need to always be confident that God is at work, causing everything to work together for my good and His glory. By faith, I need to let trials work for me and not against me, trusting God is at work.

We’ve all been through some tough times over the past couple of years. We can use times like these to make sure we are growing in Christ and we’re not the same on the other side of the tough times, turmoil or pandemic. We should be changed! (Called, challenged, changed…sound familiar?)

Remember, It all starts with faith….faith leads to growth and growth leads to practical results like spreading God’s love, serving others, and sharing His message and how He has worked in our lives. Stay close to His Word, which enables us to live a life He intends. The more we know, the stronger we grow, the brighter we shine.

Do you have an area of spiritual growth that you want to cultivate or focus on?

Dear Heavenly Father,

We give thanks to you today for your reminder that spiritual growth awaits us through the Holy Spirit. Forgive us for the times we put off working on development of the qualities that make us reflect you. Let us apply diligence and discipline so that your light will shine brightly through us, just as you intended. We hold on to your promise that with faith and spiritual growth we’ll have our lives on a firm footing and the streets paved to a rich welcome into your eternal kingdom.

Amen

Audio of 2 Peter Chapter 1: https://youtu.be/bZAb_9aBvbs