Passage
2 Peter 1:5-10
“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.
But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election.
For if you do these things, you will never stumble…”
Commentary & Questions
What does “make every effort” mean to you? It is here twice in this passage.
Do you feel ineffective? Do you feel unproductive in your day, week, year? Is there any increase in your relationship with Christ? Is there fruit coming from your life? Man, if we have these qualities and are constantly improving and increasing them, we will be effective. What an opportunity we have to take part in the building of the Kingdom of God, to play our part.
Then, when it talks about being nearsighted, isn’t that where we find ourselves when we sin? When all we see is right in front of us, when we no longer have an eternal picture, and when we think nothing else matters except what is right in front of us, we become blind to the work that Christ has done.
I think we’ve become numb to the reality of the cross and our calling. It’s crazy to me how we make things so optional. Optional to seek after God’s heart and to do the things He’s called us to. Optional to dive into the Word and meditate on it day an night. Optional to act on God’s prompting for action. But is it really optional? Well, what’s the alternative? We know and can be sure of our calling and election when we have a fire burning in us; with every effort, every thought, intention, pursuit, and action, we are adding these qualities to our faith! If there is no fire in us, no burning desire, and if we are not increasing in our faith because of our relentless pursuit of Christ, how can we be sure that He has called us?
Devotional Author: Austin Gardner