Scripture:
2Peter 1:5 – 9 – For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
Observation:
Peter has already stated that His divine power and precious promises have been granted to us. Now Peter is urging the church to live by behaviors as a result of their faith in Christ. These behaviors are not earning salvation but are a natural outflow of a person changed by the gospel. Peter concludes that if we are not living a life marked by the qualities culminating in love, we have forgotten the gospel and the sin/death from which we were saved.
Application:
Let me remember and respond to the greatest promise, sacrifice made by God in the gospel of Jesus Christ daily! The gospel can’t be something that we move past. The grace of the gospel has the power to change me from inside out. Yes, I am saved by faith, but as I continue my walk with Christ may the Spirit be increasing my knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, affection and genuine love for others.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for love and underserving grace you poured out to me in the gospel. Help me to never get over this and live a life that demonstrates your love.